CEBU, October 16 (PIA)
--- The UK Government is significantly increasing the number of places in
its flagship global scholarship program for the academic year 2015-16.
According to a press
statement from the British Embassy in Manila, P2.4 billion more will be
invested over a period of two years to ensure an additional 1000
scholarships will be available globally.
The Philippines is one
of the countries which will be prioritized for additional scholarships.
“We are investing in
Philippine future leaders as part of our partnership with the Philippines. In
this 30th year of Chevening, we are making a major new commitment to the
Chevening Programme which will allow more future leaders from the Philippines
to study at world-class universities in the UK. This year we are working with
private sector partners who also want to help build Philippine capacity such as
Bank of the Philippine Islands, GlaxoSmithKline Philippines Inc., First Pacific
Leadership Academy and San Miguel Corporation,” said British Ambassador Asif
Ahmad.
This year, a total of
eight scholars from the Philippines will be pursuing graduate studies though
the Chevening Programme.
The Chevening Programme
is a prestigious scholarship that allows overseas students to study a one-year
masters degree course on various fields of study in world-class universities in
the UK.
It is aimed at future
leaders, influencers, and decision-makers who are working towards shaping their
country’s development.
The programme is seeking
university graduates who have acquired at least two years experience in their
chosen field of study and who will return to their countries following their
scholarships to help deliver positive change and development.
Applications for
Chevening Scholarships are now open; deadline of applications will be on
November 15.
“Those planning to apply
will need to be working on the application now, looking at what courses in the
UK are the right ones to help them deliver leadership and change,” the press
statement read.
A special feature of
Chevening in the Philippines this year will be ensuring it contributes to the
UK’s support of the Mindanao peace process.
The aim is to identify
at least 5 scholars in 2015/16 who can make a positive difference to realising
the vision of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB).
Ambassador Ahmad underscored diversity as a key factor in this year’s selection process.
“We want to receive more
and more varied applications from all across the Philippines. We are
encouraging people who can be leaders in a wide range of areas from governance
to economics, from peace building to trade, from justice to climate change and
energy. If you have a vision for the Philippines, the desire to make it happen
and you need extra knowledge to make an impact, come and convince us that you
should be a Chevening Scholar,” he said.
Applications for
Chevening Scholarships for the academic year 2015/16 must be submitted online
between 1 August and 15 November 2014 at www.chevening.org.
(British Embassy in Manila/PIA Cebu)