UK Government marks 30 years of Chevening Scholarships Programme
Six Peruvians were among 500 scholars who attended the event hosted by Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire.
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 prestigious scholarship programme and to invite the brightest graduates around the world to apply.
The Chevening Scholarships Programme finances graduates from around the world with potential to be influential leaders and decision makers to study postgraduate courses at British universities.
The Alumni attending the 30th anniversary event included some of the most prominent people from the programme’s history including Mr Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, Prime Minister of Iceland, , highlighting the strength of the global network the UK Government has built up through the Scholarships.
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.”
Six Peruvian Chevening Alumni attended the event:
Aravec Clark , Project Manager of Aravec Clark - Project Management: “A beautiful setting, a beautiful day and a host of fun activities, concerts and locally sourced and prepared cuisine all programmed to generate an exciting and friendly environment encouraging networking between current Chevening scholars, ex-scholars and other invited guests summarises the day for me. A very special thanks to the FCO for organising an outstanding event to celebrate 30 years supporting talent from all over the world, it is a pleasure and an honour to form part of such distinguished alumni.”
Christian Spano, Global lead for Socio-economic development – Anglo American:“Chevening house was an impressive venue but even more impressive was to see more than 500 Chevening alumni that included prime ministers, social activist and successful professionals. It really felt unique to be invited to such an event, to be recognised as part of that incredibly valuable network”.
Yvonka Hurtado Senior Associate - UKLA Department / Markets Division - Financial Conduct Authority: “Foreign Secretary William Hague’s message was very encouraging and made me feel very proud of having studied a master´s degree in the UK”.
Annabella Matute, Director, M C International Links Limited: “I am very grateful to the British government for helping me to achieve my dream of doing a masters in Law which so far has proved to be the cornerstone in my career path. It has opened me doors at an international level, and overall it has helped to galvanise the bond between my home country and the UK through the work I do now”.
The event included an exhibition of the GREAT campaign to promote Britain as one of the best countries in the world to visit, study and do business with to influential decision makers from around the world.
Applications for the 2015/16 programme will open in August 2014 and announcement will be made through www.chevening.org/Peru.