The British high commissioner to Pakistan, Adam Thomson, presented certificates to 23 Pakistanis at a reception hosted at the British High Commission on Wednesday, awarding them the British Chevening Scholarship to study in Britain in 2011-12.
The scholarship programme aims to provide opportunities for professional development and identify and support the next generation of leaders from across the globe. The programme began in Pakistan in 1983 and has since sent over 1,000 Pakistanis to study in the UK. Pakistan remains one of the top priority countries for Chevening awards. This year the number of scholars from Pakistan has increased by almost 50 percent compared to last year.
The 23 scholars selected will study in a range of areas such as governance and democracy, communication and journalism, gender studies, social development, public administration, law and human Rights, finance and economics, security and counter terrorism. Congratulating the selected students, Thomson welcomed the scholars into the “Chevening family”, saying “Wherever you are studying in the UK, you will experience a dynamic, vibrant, and multicultural society that will provide a warm welcome.” He said he hoped the scholars would develop their skills and knowledge to be valuable not only for their own future development, but also for that of their country.