British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Barton hosting the pre-departure ceremony for 73 Pakistani students selected to pursue a master’s degree in the UK under the Chevening scholarships on 25 August 2015 at his residence said that Pakistan remains one of the top-priority countries for Chevening rewards. This is the reason it has seen the biggest increase in the number of Chevening scholars compared to anywhere in the world. This is testimony to the importance the UK puts in its relationship with Pakistan.
The high commissioner further said Chevening alumni were making an important contribution in Pakistan. He reinforced that the Chevening programme not only provided immediate benefits for individual scholars - enhance future career prospects and development — but also delivered long-term benefits for both Pakistan and the UK.
“When I came to Pakistan, I was given books that were titled rather negatively like Pakistan on the brink, Pakistan the conspiracy, Pakistan the hard country. After being here for a while, I now want to write a book called Pakistan, a nice place to live,” said Barton.
The British High Commission has already started a conversation in Pakistan about the kind of place it will be in 2047, not just because the country will complete its 100 years then but also because the Chevening scholars of today will have several decades and enough opportunities to shape the country to make it better and more prosperous.
British Council commentary:
Ties between the UK and Pakistan stem from a shared history and are strengthened by the strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK. The number of Pakistani students applying for international qualifications is increasing steadily. This increase in the number of Chevening scholarships for students in Pakistan is a clear indication of the encouraging circumstances, conducive for exploring out-reaches directed towards students in Pakistan.
Shehla Qayum, Deputy Head of the scholarship programme in Pakistan, said the most positive aspect of this year’s successful applicants was there are a significantly higher number of girls participating in the scholarship programme this year. The recently formed think tank for the Chevening Scholars provides opportunities to discuss and debate social, political and economic issues enhancing the alumni engagement once they return.
Article source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/944751/scholarships-britain-quadruples-paki…
To contact the SIEM Pakistan team and to know more about engaging with local audiences in Pakistan through direct, remote or digital activities, please get in touch with Saman Imtiaz, Head SIEM, Pakistan at saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.pk and siemsouthasia@britishcouncil.org