Three Pakistani candidates from Sindh and Balochistan were awarded the British Chevening Scholarship in a ceremony held at the British Deputy High Commission on Wednesday. Francis Campbell, the British deputy high commissioner in Karachi awarded the scholarship documents to Salamat Ali, Shahpara Rizvi and Nazia Ali. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council, the Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious award that enables talented graduates and bright young professionals from over 150 countries to study in the United Kingdom.
It helps them become familiar with the UK, gain new skills or update current ones. The overall aim for these future leaders is to benefit their countries upon their return. The HSBC Pakistan has generously contributed toward half of the study funds for two scholars.
Chevening Scholarship winner Shahpara Rizvi, who hails from rural Sindh, says, “The HSBC-Chevening Scholarship at the University of Exeter will enable me to not only gain practical knowledge about financial planning and preparing feasibility reports in the social sector, but also give me confidence to explore other forums to raise my concerns.” Rizvi hopes to work for the government at a policy level once she returns from the UK.
Each year the Chevening programme provides around 2,300 new scholarships for postgraduate studies or research at UK institutions of higher education. In Pakistan, scholarships are awarded to Pakistani nationals of high intellectual ability who will play a formative role in Pakistan’s development. The scholarships cover the complete cost of study in the UK.
While speaking to the scholarship winners, The British deputy high commissioner said, “You should all be extremely proud for being successfully selected for the Chevening Scholarship and we welcome you to the Chevening family. Wherever you are studying in the UK, you will experience a dynamic, vibrant and multicultural society that will provide a warm welcome. I hope all of you will enjoy your time in the UK, developing your skills and knowledge that will not only be valuable for your own future development but also valuable to the future of Pakistan.”
The scholarships are offered for one year’s postgraduate study in a wide variety of subjects such as economics, gender studies, human rights, international relations, law, management, media studies, public administration, social development, inter-faith studies, international conflict, governance and democracy, public sector reform, economic governance and reform, migration, citizenship and international security.
