I signed my name about fifty times today! Why? Because I was signing the certificates for the many Malaysian recipients of Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships. “What is Chevening?”, you might ask. Well, it is the name we have given to the range of opportunities the British Government offers to young Malaysians to go to the UK to study. A scholarship is normally for a one year taught Masters programme for Malaysians below 35. A fellowship is usually to support a 3-4 month stint for those in their mid career, who see benefit in gaining new insights from an academic experience in the UK. Candidates are chosen not only for their excellence in their field, but also for their leadership qualities. More details are given on our website: http://ukinmalaysia.fco.gov.uk.
I am a great believer in Chevening. It demonstrates our commitment to Malaysia in a unique way, seeking out young people at an early age who are going to be leaders of this country in the future, in a wide range of disciplines. And we have a strong track record in selection: Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, Head of Khazanah is a Chevening scholar. But so too is Bernard Chaudry, one of Malaysia’s brightest young film makers. And Dina Zaman, author of the influential book “I am Muslim”. And Nithi Nesadurai, a well-established environmental commentator, who also heads the Chevening Alumni Malaysia group (website: http://www.cheveningalumni.org.my). There is also Rafidah Abdullah, a scriptwriter, TV host, actress, columnist and lyricist and Edmund Bon, a lawyer and the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council.
To date, a total of 1200 Malaysians have studied in the UK under the Chevening programme. I must say there is a rich crop of talent!
One way in which we keep the scheme running is by taking partners, from British business and academia, who co-fund the scholarships. My final two signatures today were on new partnership agreements with Cranfield and Queen’s University Belfast (my own alma mater). These universities see this scheme as one of the ways in which they can underpin their growing engagement with Malaysia.
I am a great believer in Chevening. It demonstrates our commitment to Malaysia in a unique way, seeking out young people at an early age who are going to be leaders of this country in the future, in a wide range of disciplines. And we have a strong track record in selection: Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, Head of Khazanah is a Chevening scholar. But so too is Bernard Chaudry, one of Malaysia’s brightest young film makers. And Dina Zaman, author of the influential book “I am Muslim”. And Nithi Nesadurai, a well-established environmental commentator, who also heads the Chevening Alumni Malaysia group (website: http://www.cheveningalumni.org.my). There is also Rafidah Abdullah, a scriptwriter, TV host, actress, columnist and lyricist and Edmund Bon, a lawyer and the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council.To date, a total of 1200 Malaysians have studied in the UK under the Chevening programme. I must say there is a rich crop of talent!
One way in which we keep the scheme running is by taking partners, from British business and academia, who co-fund the scholarships. My final two signatures today were on new partnership agreements with Cranfield and Queen’s University Belfast (my own alma mater). These universities see this scheme as one of the ways in which they can underpin their growing engagement with Malaysia.
Posts
