Marking Chevening’s 30th anniversary: ‘Lebanon 2020-Not a Dream’
Marking Chevening's 30th anniversary, British Ambassador to Lebanese Chevening Alumni: 'I'm still right to be buying shares in Lebanon 2020'
Chevening Alumni Association Lebanon members at Chevening's 30th anniversary event
The prestigious British scholarship scheme, Chevening, marked its 30th anniversary in Lebanon with a round-table discussion and Iftar hosted by the British Ambassador Tom Fletcher for the Chevening Alumni Association in Lebanon.
Chevening committee members attended, along with potential future candidates for the scholarship programme. Participants took part in two simultaneous round-table discussions on the themes of Prosperity and Justice for the Lebanon they want in 2020 (#Leb2020). A range of practical ideas, interventions and positive proposals dominated the discussion.
Addressing his guests Ambassador Fletcher said:
A Lebanese friend once told me that ‘when things are tough, we build’. I’m proud that our scholars are doing just that, working on practical ideas for Lebanon’s future. They and many like them reassure me that I’m still right to be buying shares in Lebanon 2020.
Lebanese Chevening scholars currently studying in the UK represented Lebanon at a celebration on 9 July, attended by over 500 past and present Chevening Scholars at Chevening House - Kent in the UK.
Following the event Lebanese Chevening scholar Oday Kamal, pursuing his MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern studies at Oxford university said:
The 30th anniversary was a reminder of the true gift that the Chevening scholarship has granted us - a transformational experience that links you with a community of future leaders around the world.
The event in the UK was hosted by Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire.
Minister of State Hugo Swire said:
This event shows how successful the Chevening Scholarships programme has been in building relationships for the UK with decision makers in businesses and Governments all around the world.
Following the tripling of scholarships set out by the Chancellor in his Budget, I hope this event will encourage the brightest graduates around the world to apply to study in the UK so we can continue to build mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationships.
Notes to editors:
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 graduates with the potential to be leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in any subject and at any of the UK’s leading universities.
On 9th July over 500 past and present Chevening Scholars representing 118 countries gathered at Chevening House to mark 30 years of the UK’s most prestigious scholarship programme and to invite the brightest graduates around the world to apply. Lebanon was represented by Chevening Scholars currently in the UK completing their postgraduate courses.
Applications for the 2015/16 programme open in August 2014.