On Dec. 6, Schwarzman Scholars announced its class of 2024-25, which, not for the first time, included a University of Texas at Austin graduate. This year’s cohort of 150 students was drawn from an applicant pool of over 4,000 and represents 43 countries and 114 universities from around the globe. Among them is Bas (Sebastian) De Beurs, a Dutch immigrant who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UT as a Presidential Scholar in 2019, with bachelor’s degrees in Plan II Honors and Government.
 
Schwarzman Scholars, which was inspired by the Rhodes Scholars program, was founded in 2015 and offers academically high-achieving students from around the world the opportunity to participate in a one-year global affairs master’s program at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing. Study is fully funded and focuses on deepening participants’ understanding of China and fostering leadership skills. De Beurs heard about the program while he was a UT undergraduate and felt compelled to apply. He worked closely with the Undergraduate College’s Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships, including Dr. Douglas Bruster and Dr. Tina Thomas, to prepare for interview day.
 
“UT sparked my American dream,” said De Beurs. “As a newcomer who grew up in a small town in the Netherlands, I found a warm, entrepreneurial community at UT. UT inspired me to dream big, start my first biotech company and work hard to make the world a healthier place. Above all, the Forty Acres taught me that we can shape our future. I’m excited to take that with me to China as a Schwarzman Scholar.”
 
After college, De Beurs spent time at Boston Consulting Group and co-founded Healis Therapeutics, a biotech startup developing novel neurotherapeutics. “As a biotech entrepreneur, I hope to better understand China and contribute a more global perspective to the development of medicine that can benefit all of us,” he added. Schwarzman Scholars includes a mix of coursework, cultural immersion, and experiential learning, so there’s a lot to look forward to.
 
Meanwhile, the administrators behind the program are eagerly awaiting De Beurs and his fellow students. “The caliber of this incoming class and their potential fills me with optimism for the future,” said Founding Trustee Stephen A. Schwarzman in a press release. “They are ready to engage thoughtfully with global issues and eager to make a positive impact on the world.”
 
Students and alumni interested in learning more about this prestigious award should contact the Undergraduate College’s Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships at odps@austin.utexas.edu or visit undergradcollege.utexas.edu/odps.