SCSU chemistry students study at Oxford

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Five South Carolina State University chemistry students will take part in the pilot Summer Chemistry Exchange Program with Oxford University in England.

The partnership with St. Hugh’s College of Oxford allows the students to study at the institution’s Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.

“I am proud of our faculty, staff, student partners and supporters who made this collaboration possible,” James E. Clark, president of S.C. State, said in a news release. “We look forward to more of these in the future.”

The collaboration is sponsored by attorney Bakari Sellers. It is Oxford’s first partnership with a historically black college and its first with a college in South Carolina.

“I believe students in rural South Carolina should be provided the same opportunities as those in urban areas,” Sellers said. “It’s an honor to be able to provide funding for these students to continue their education.”

S.C. State students attending include:

• Ciondi Bess (junior from Hartsville)
• Demetria Dorsey (junior from Syracuse, N.Y.)
• Nurunnahar Abdussalam (senior from Washington, D.C.)
• Michael Isley (senior from Fort Mill)
• Alston Jenkins (junior from Charlotte, N.C.)

The Summer Exchange Program was the idea of S.C. State chemistry professor and Oxford alumna Rahina Mahtab.

“I am happy I could create this opportunity for our chemistry majors,” Mahtab said. “This program introduces our students to Oxford’s academic and social traditions. This will help them on their path in our globalized society.”

The program began June 25 and ends Aug, 10.