Sierra Leone News: British High Commission Hosts Farewell Reception for Chevening Awardees

By Rima Turay

A farewell reception for six successful applicants to the U.K. government’s Chevening Scholarship programme was held on Thursday August 22, 2019, at the residence of the acting British High Commissioner in Freetown.

This was the culmination of a rigorous application process which started during the application window of August to November 2018. Awardees included postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Epidemiology, Paediatrics and International Public Health. Courses would be pursued from London School of Hygiene, King’s College London, Birmingham University and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Addressing the attendees who included a cross-section of the Chevening Alumni Network in Sierra Leone, representatives from DFID and prospective applicants, the Acting High Commissioner Alistair White congratulated the awardees, noting that they had gone through a highly-competitive selection process. Only those who have a proven track record in their field, have ambition to rise to the top, and who are committed to giving back to Sierra Leone after their study, have been selected.

He also emphasised that this unique opportunity to Sierra Leone’s brightest and best, so that they might develop professionally and academically, experience the best of what the UK has to offer, and build lasting relationships with the UK.

“We are delighted to be able to support these candidates to attend prestigious UK universities to complete further study in areas that are so important to the future development of Sierra Leone.”

The Chevening Lead at the British High Commission, Terrence Williams urged the awardees to seize upon the opportunity to not only gain postgraduate qualifications, but also to broaden their horizons by increasing the span and diversity of networks created during their stay in the U.K. He also encouraged them to ensure they struck the right study/life balance.

Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities — mostly one year taught master’s degrees — for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.