UK in Namibia hosts 30 Years Chevening event
High Commission celebrates 30 Years of Chevening and hosts an Alumni reception to bid farewell to the 2013/14 Chevening beneficiaries
HRT's Martin Davis, Namport CEO & guest of honour, Gerson 'Bisey' Uirab, High Commissioner Marianne Young, and TUCSIN director Dr. Andreas Wienecke.
2013 is the 30th anniversary of the Chevening programme, which began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international scheme. To celebrate this important milestone and bid farewell to the two latest scholars from Namibia, the British High Commission held a special Chevening evening reception on September 03.
At the reception, the British High Commission and the Namibian Chevening Alumni network bid farewell to the two 2013/14 Chevening scholarship holders, Marita von Rooyen and Colin Namene. Marita van Rooyen will be studying at the University of South Wales for a Masters in Documentary Photography. Colin Namene is heading to the University of Reading, to study for a MSc in Environmental Management. At last week’s event, Chevening Alumni Gerson “Bisey” Uirab, CEO of Namport, presented to the attending alumni the most recent developments regarding NamPort and the extension of the Walvis Bay port. Uirab completed his MBA at Herriot Watt, Edinburgh in 1996/7.
Many Chevening Scholars have gone on to reach positions of influence in a range of sectors: some work as MPs, leading journalists, opinion leaders or policy advisors to NGOs and think tanks; others occupy senior positions in public and private organisations.
The High Commissioner, H.E. Marianne Young, highlighted: “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to ensuring that its Chevening alumni network remains one of the world’s most influential and active alumni communities.”
Addressing the two new scholarship holders she said: “Dear Marita, dear Colin, I would like to wish you all the best with your studies in the UK. There will be challenges, there will be adventures, and there will be joy. All in all, you will experience a new world, a new environment, a new culture, and you will meet people from all around the world. You can be proud of yourselves of having been selected as Chevening Scholarship Holders. Make the best of it. For yourself, for your profession, for your community, for your country.”