Celebrating Chevening's 35th anniversary and wider alumni network
British Ambassador Chris Rampling held a reception celebrating Chevening's 35th anniversary and wider alumni of Lebanese graduates of UK universities.
Chevening Alumni at Ambassador Rampling's residence celebrating 35th anniversary
You represent Lebanon’s present and future and no one knows Lebanon better than you. With those words British ambassador Chris Rampling welcomed his guests – at his residence in Yarze – to celebrate Chevening’s 35th anniversary and the second annual reception for the Alumni Association of Lebanese Graduates of UK Universities.
Guests representing some of the most talented and successful Lebanese graduates of UK universities across Lebanon: lawyers, human rights activists, economists, entrepreneurs, tech, business people, politicians and more attended.
Addressing his guests Ambassador Rampling said:
Tonight we are celebrating Chevening’s 35th anniversary - a prestigious scholarships award aimed at future leaders to go on a fully-funded one year Masters Degree in the UK. The scholarships programme has benefited over 190 Lebanese scholars and fellows since 1983, most of whom have been working tirelessly to build the Lebanon they aspire to.
It’s also a time of year marking the first anniversary of the loss of a dear colleague and friend Rebecca Dykes, but I am pleased to say that following the scholarship set up in her name the first recipient of the award is currently studying in the UK.
To the wider Alumni I say, we are proud that you have chosen the UK- home to many of the world’s top universities - as a place to study. All of you represent Lebanon’s present and future, setting an example of the best your country has to offer. No one knows Lebanon more than you do and I am here to listen, learn, agree and disagree and get your views on how the UK can support Lebanon further.
The fact that all of you are here (in Lebanon) is because you believe in your country and its future. Through your time, energy, passions, and determination to build ‘your’ Lebanon, you are in many ways contributing to the UK’s partnership with Lebanon for stability, security and prosperity.
Ambassador Rampling also briefed his guests on the upcoming Lebanon-UK Investment Conference happening in London next week led by PM Hariri.