World news story

Growing UK - Pakistan education links celebrated by FCO Minister

The Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships play an important role in strengthening the already close ties between the UK and Pakistan

• From: British High Commission Islamabad
• Published: 20 March 2015

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Tobias Ellwood MP, Minister for Pakistan, hosted a reception on 28 March bringing together the current Pakistani Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars, Parliamentarians and leaders of the Pakistani diaspora. The reception highlighted the importance of education, the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships and the close UK-Pakistan bilateral relationship.

A total of 2,300 Chevening and Commonwealth scholars have studied here in the UK. Pakistan is one of the leading Chevening scholarship countries where last year, there were over 3,000 applications for just 20 scholarship places. The number of Pakistan Chevening scholarships has been tripled to 70 for the next academic year as evidence of the growing importance of educational links between the two countries.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Ellwood said:

The Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships play an important role in strengthening the already close ties between the UK and Pakistan. Education is a powerful tool to build a better future and I’m pleased so many Pakistanis consider the UK as the place to study. I’m proud of the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship programmes which bring so many dynamic and bright Pakistanis to the UK. I wish the scholars luck for the rest of their time studying at UK universities.

Notes for Editors

1. Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding established or emerging leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in any subject and at any of the UK’s leading universities.

2. Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships in the UK aim to contribute to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, support excellence in UK higher education, and sustain the principles of the Commonwealth. Candidates are selected on the basis of merit and their potential to contribute to the needs of their home countries.

3. More information on the Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships can be found here: Chevening Website Commonwealth Scholarships

Published 20 March 2015