11 Filipinos awarded UK Chevening Scholarships this year
The British Embassy in Manila has awarded the Chevening Scholarship to 11 Filipinos for academic year 2013-2014.
Former Ambassador to the Philippines with this year's Chevening Scholars
The British Embassy in Manila, in partnership with the University of Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, BPI, HSBC and Etihad Airways has awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to 11 Filipinos for the coming academic year.
The Chevening Scholars are: Christine Antonio, Grace Ayson, Naealla Bainto, Ryan Edward Chua, Anna Victoria Lu, Jan Christopher Ocampo, Maria Isabel Plaza, Ira Paulo Pozon, Joyce Tan, Andrea Teran and Donn Mc Angelo Valdez. They are set to pursue studies in finance and economics, environment and sustainability, trade, health and law.
Chevening Scholarships are awarded by the British Government to those who have a vision and drive to become future leaders in their chosen fields and countries. The scholarships were named after the Chevening House, the British Foreign Secretary’s official country residence.
The scholars were recently honoured at a reception hosted by Stephen Lillie, who recently ended his tour as British Ambassador to the Philippines. The event was attended by the families of the scholars and members of the Chevening alumni network in the Philippines at his official residence.
Mr. Stephen Lillie said:
I’m delighted to award Chevening Scholarships to 11 promising Filipinos this year. They continue the trend of excellent scholars coming from the Philippines. Our scholarship programme highlights the importance that we attach to dynamic links with the Philippines and a shared interest in nurturing young leaders who can make a positive difference to the future growth and prosperity of the country.
Mr Lillie assured the scholars about the warmth of the reception and quality of education they would receive in the UK:
The UK is home to many of the world’s very best universities. While based in Britain you will also study with many thousands of the brightest minds from all over the world as the UK is proud to be a global centre of academic excellence. I’m sure your Chevening experience will help you develop your future leadership vision and plans and allow them to be put into effect when you return to the Philippines.
Mr Lillie thanked University of Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, BPI, HSBC and Etihad Airway for their support which had helped send this number of scholars to the UK. He said that the corporate responsibility shown would directly impact the lives of these talented 11 scholars but that he was confident it would indirectly benefit many more in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, the sponsoring firms also conveyed messages through their top executives.
HSBC President and CEO, Wick Veloso said:
We at HSBC believe in developing key talents and investing young leaders as they will be the future decision-makers and opinion-formers of the country. The partnership between HSBC and the British Embassy underpins this commitment on education and highlights the concerted efforts between institutions to support economic and social development through education. We are proud to support these scholars as we know they will make a positive impact on society and contribute to the country’s growth and development when they return.
GSK Vice President & General Manager, Francis del Val said:
GlaxoSmithKline is proud to be part of this scholarship program which will certainly go a long way in exposing our young scholars to a new culture and the academic rigors of the esteemed British universities they will be studying in. When our scholars come back, doubtless they will have a lot to contribute to their respective fields as well as to the development of the Philippines as well.
BPI President and Chief Executive Officer, Cezar Consing said:
BPI is pleased to be part of the prestigious Chevening scholarship program. With the financial markets of the world becoming increasingly interconnected, having some of our brightest young people obtain advanced degrees in one of the world’s most vibrant financial markets will benefit our country when they come home.
Etihad Airways General Manager (Philippines), John Rees Evans said:
Etihad Airways welcome the opportunity of being involved in the Chevening scholarship project for Filipino graduates; we look forward to developing our relationship on a local basis.