The British Embassy in Iraq has launched the competition for this year's Chevening Scholarships in Iraq. This year, the programme is looking for applications from the fields of energy, the private sector, the public sector, good governance, human rights, security and rule of law but applications from other fields may also be considered. To apply candidates need to go the website www.chevening.org.
Speaking about the Chevening Programme, the British Ambassador to Iraq, Simon Collis, said:
"The Chevening Scholarship programme presents a wonderful opportunity – the UK has some of the world's top universities and we are looking for Iraq's best and brightest, people with ambition, academic excellence, good communications skills and people who have what it takes to become tomorrow's leaders in Iraq. This year's Iraqi Chevening scholars will join an elite network of young leaders around the world which includes Ministers, Prime Ministers and Presidents."
Chevening Scholarships are the British Government's global scholarship programme, funded mainly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). This year, some additional Chevening Scholarships for Iraqis are being funded by BP in the final year of a three-year arrangement with the international company.
The programme makes awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at higher education institutions in the UK.
Speaking about his time in the UK, Muwaffaq Mezeil Telfah, who was awarded a Chevening Scholarship in the academic year 2009/10, and who has now returned to Iraq, said:
"I have shared the knowledge and skills I learnt from my time in the UK with colleagues in Iraq as well as keeping in touch with friends in UK. There is no doubt that this Chevening scholarship had a significant impact to myself, my career and my future."
Dr Rebeen Saeed, another 2009/10 Iraqi Chevening Scholar who has also now returned to Iraq commented:
"The things I liked the most about UK was the passion for science, how they have made education interesting and accessible to students and how they have provided educational atmospheres or facilities and infrastructures for that purpose. It was impressive to get on the buses in UK and watch most people reading; this was enough to give me more energy and enthusiasm for further study. I liked the language, the people's polite and friendly manner and the large number historical places to visit."
The Chevening programme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international scheme. The objective of the Chevening programme is to support foreign policy priorities and achieve FCO objectives by creating lasting positive relationships with future leaders, influencers and decision makers. Chevening Scholars come from over 120 countries worldwide (excluding the USA and the EU), and 700 scholarships were awarded in 2011-2012. There are over 40,000 Chevening alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.
The scholarship programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one year Master's degree. The name 'Chevening' comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the British Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister.
For full details of how to apply, applicants should go to the website www.chevening.org
