Budding authors win Rankin's help

Well-known crime writer Ian Rankin gives cash help to college students

Crime writer Ian Rankin has gone back to his roots and is setting up a student scholarship programme for would-be young authors.

The brains behind the Inspector Rebus series plans to financially support three Fife College students a year for the next three years.

Fife-born Mr Rankin has made his donation for the scholarship through the college's Adam Smith Foundation.

The first beneficiaries of the awards will be announced later this month.

Full-time students studying NQ Communication and Media, HNC/D Communication with Media or HNC/D Practical Journalism are eligible to apply for the award.

The college said it was delighted to gain the support of Mr Rankin, who lives in Edinburgh.

We are delighted and honoured to receive the support of such a well known author who also has very personal ties to Fife Joyce Johnston Fife College principal

His prolific writing career has seen him establish himself as one of the UK's best-known authors with a host of awards to his name.

These include being elected a Hawthornden Fellow and receiving the prestigious Chandler-Fulbright Award, the Crime Writers of America short story 'Dagger' twice and the CWA Macallan Gold 'Dagger' for fiction.

In 2004 his book, Resurrection Men, received the Edgar Award for best novel presented by the Mystery Writers of America.

Joyce Johnston, principal of Fife College, said: "We are delighted and honoured to receive the support of such a well known author who also has very personal ties to Fife.

Extra help

"The scholarship will be enormously beneficial to our students as there will be a great deal of prestige attached to winning as well as the financial rewards which can be used to purchase equipment and materials to support their studies."

The Adam Smith Foundation was established in 1998 and offers financial support to students studying across a wide range of programmes.

Christine Robson, manager of the foundation, said: "Our students are always pleased to receive the extra financial assistance but the support of such a well known name is also a reflection of the growth and standing of Fife College's communications and media department.

"We welcome Ian's generous donation and look forward to seeing him at Fife College and further learning from his expertise."