CHEVENING IMPACT REPORT CONTENTS

FOREWORDS 2

AIM 4

35 YEARS OF IMPACT 5

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE 6

OUR SCHOLARS: THEIR IMPACT 8

GLOBAL NETWORK 12

GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERS 14

DRIVERS FOR CHANGE 16

OUR PARTNERS 18

TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE 20

2 / IMPACT REPORT

FOREWORD FROM THE RT HON MARK FIELD MP

MINISTER OF STATE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AT THE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

The UK has welcomed Chevening Scholars We are taking this opportunity to reflect on to our shores since 1983. We have brought Chevening’s impact and celebrate success. together some of the brightest minds from This report brings to life the scale of this across the world to study, develop their impact; it makes a humbling read. We also ideas, passions and plans for the future, and need to look to the future. Now more than experience all the UK has to offer. Nelson ever, programmes like Chevening are vital Mandela famously said that education is if we are to promote stability, security, the most powerful weapon with which to and prosperity around the world. change the world. Through education and through the brilliant opportunity offered by Our universities enjoy a world-class Chevening, these scholars have gone on to reputation and I believe that we should do just that, taking up some of the highest be proud that future leaders with passion, positions across the globe. ideas, and potential choose to study in the UK. In a Global Britain, this network This network of alumni around the world of friends and allies helps the UK as we are, through Chevening, connected and seek to strengthen our relationships with working together to make the world a better countries around the world and enhance place. It has been a privilege of my role to our diplomacy. Chevening is an exceptional get out and meet many Chevening Alumni programme, and I look forward with interest and hear first-hand the impact that studying to seeing it continue for years to come. here in the UK has had on their lives and what they have been able to achieve because of our investment in them. IMPACT REPORT / 3

FOREWORD FROM BENJAMIN COATES

HEAD OF THE UNIT AT THE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

I recently attended a Chevening event President of Costa Rica just nine years where I saw a group of bright, enthusiastic after completing his , to Amina scholars from all over the world debating Mohammed, ’s inspirational Cabinet topics as diverse as fake news, girls’ Secretary for Education, spearheading the education, and climate change. For me, UK’s campaign promoting girls’ education this epitomises Chevening. Our scholars around the world. study a wide range of subjects at some of the best universities in the world, but they This report showcases the impact also immerse themselves in the UK, in our Chevening has had on the lives of thousands culture, our values, and our traditions. of people, and the impact they in turn have had on their communities, their countries, For 35 years, the Foreign & Commonwealth and the world. Office has, in partnership with organisations such as the British Council and the I can’t wait to see what the future Association of Commonwealth Universities, of Chevening brings. offered Chevening Scholarships to aspiring leaders with ideas and potential. Many have gone on to achieve amazing things, from Carlos Alvarado Quesada, elected 4 / IMPACT REPORT

AIM

Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are selected by British embassies and high commissions throughout the world.

Since 1983, Chevening has brought the This is an opportunity that transforms most exceptional individuals from around their careers, their perspective, and their the world to study in the UK. relationship with the UK.

With UK universities taking their place Chevening offers an opportunity that, among the world’s oldest, the influence and for many, would otherwise be out of reach. impact of UK education is recognised and For all, Chevening is life-changing. felt worldwide. World University Rankings 2018 list three UK institutions in the world’s top ten and one in six world leaders attended a UK university. Obtaining a quality education Our educational institutions have a lasting influence on those who attend. Almost is the foundation to improving two million international students have people’s lives and sustainable graduated from a UK university in the development. past ten years. These alumni of the UK are part of a lifelong network. Sustainable Development Goal 4 Each year, Chevening Scholarships enable hundreds of international scholars and fellows access to study in the UK. IMPACT REPORT / 5

35 YEARS OF IMPACT 2014 Chevening Alumni Alliance officially launched Chevening is as essential in supporting diplomacy efforts and 2018 promoting UK education abroad 1,750 Chevening Scholars from now as it was back in 1983. 160 countries and territories

1999 20,000 2018 global alumni 50,000 global alumni Our journey 1999 Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal became 1993 first alumnus to 10,000 become Prime global alumni Minister of their country (Prime Minister of Mongolia)

1983 1994 2004 First cohort – Name changed Chevening 100 Chevening from Foreign Fellowships Scholars from & Commonwealth launched 41 countries Office Awards and territories Scheme to Chevening 2008 Scholarships 40,000 global alumni 1980 1990 2010 2020 2000 6 / IMPACT REPORT

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE

Chevening selects scholars from These events also included notable around the world with the most speakers, such as: potential to be future global leaders.

Mr Matthew Lodge When these future leaders are Minister and Ambassador/Permanent studying in the UK, our aim is to deliver Delegate to UNESCO, Foreign an unparalleled scholar experience. & Commonwealth Office We want scholars to experience the UK’s cultural strengths, feel supported Dr Erik Lithander throughout their journey and feel part Pro-Vice Chancellor for International, of the Chevening network from day one. University of Bristol

Scholars are encouraged to get involved Cassandra Stavrou with a diverse engagement programme Founder, Propercorn developed around subjects inherent to UK values; such as democracy, human rights, Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE and freedom of speech. Global Head of Citizenship, KPMG International Much of this engagement programme is run in collaboration with our university Joanna Roper partners who are delivering world-class Special Envoy for Gender Equality, research and teaching in these subjects. Foreign & Commonwealth Office

97% agree 99% agree 100% agree 97% agree Chevening had a I would recommend Chevening’s a world- I am very proud positive impact on the UK as a good class scholarship/ to be associated my opinion of the UK place for studying fellowship programme with Chevening IMPACT REPORT / 7

As future leaders, our The Chevening debate is a great platform for discussing some of scholars are not afraid to the most important topics facing take centre stage themselves. communities across the globe. I think the biggest value of a debate is that Many of our events, such as it can influence changes in society the debates and conferences, and make a real impact. When the dialogue moves away from the give scholars the platform stage and into daily conversations, to make their voices heard. it inspires people to take action. Janice Sue Wong Hong Kong | MSc Development Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 8 / IMPACT REPORT

OUR SCHOLARS: THEIR IMPACT

During their time in the UK, Chevening Scholars are encouraged to volunteer in their local community. This was a way to put my two greatest passions together: art and community. Chevening creates opportunities for The organisation I volunteered with is scholars to help transform UK communities engaging youth in Croydon through by volunteering with organisations such Over the past three theatre to give them a greater platform as the Prince’s Trust, Oxfam, and the years, Chevening to communicate and contribute to their Conservation Trust. Scholars have community. Volunteering for this cause clocked up more was my quickest way of connecting Opportunities with these charities are than 10,000 hours to the heart and soul of London. proven to improve perceptions of the UK of volunteering It brought me beyond the surface and and enable scholars to become immersed in into a London where communities are real communities, encouraging them to gain being built through art and courage. insight into diverse values and experiences. It connected me to pieces of myself and pieces of home that I unexpectedly

discovered in different spaces. Rayon Mclean, Jamaica, MA Applied Theatre, Goldsmiths, All of the causes that have I worked University of London with offered me a different experience Volunteered with youth theatres and the chance to connect with In the last year different groups of people. Oxfam alone, scholars is a large international development volunteered with charity, so I enjoyed feeling as though 300 organisations my shifts were helping to contribute across the UK to a global cause. While a lot of hard work, the immense gratification of volunteering and the ability to engage in unique conversations throughout my time volunteering truly deepened my experience in the UK. Leah Schmidt, Canada, MA Multi-Disciplinary Gender Studies, Volunteered with Oxfam IMPACT REPORT / 9

BEATRIZ LOPES BUARQUE USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PEACE

Beatriz is the founder of Words One of the greatest benefits of being Heal the World: a project that believes a Chevening Scholar is the opportunity to CLASS OF: 2017 the fight against extremism begins network and collaborate with a wide range online and begins with empowering of people and countries. I believe that, FROM: BRAZIL younger generations to challenge hate through Chevening, I can connect with on the internet. authorities from countries that have faced STUDIED: MA problems with extremism, and use Words INTERNATIONAL Beatriz trains students to deconstruct Heal the World as a tool to tackle extremism RELATIONS & extremist messages on social media. and radicalisation around the world. SECURITY AT THE In the UK she has also started organising UNIVERSITY OF workshops to raise awareness on how to When I think about Chevening, I think WESTMINSTER use the internet to promote peace and about the leaders of tomorrow. I think the local and global impact this can have. about empowerment. I think about inspiration. Those are the reasons ‘I set up Words Heal the World to promote why Chevening is so special. projects that use words as a tool for tackling extremism. I realised many of the projects It really is a life-changing programme. were invisible as organisations did not have the resources to widely publicise them on It changes the life of the Chevening Scholar social media. and also changes the lives of thousands of people who are in touch with him/her. The UK gave me the chance to expand It effectively prepares people to turn our Words Heal the World in a way that I never world into a better place to live.’ thought would be possible. My idea that started off just as a website, soon had twenty-two partners and became the first large-scale project in the world to put students at the forefront of developing online messaging to tackle extremism. 10 / IMPACT REPORT IMPACT REPORT / 11

CARLOS ALVARADO QUESADA GLOBAL LEADER

In May 2018, Carlos Alvarado Quesada Achieving our aim, Chevening has became the 48th President of Costa Rica, a long tradition of producing global leaders, CLASS OF: 2008 an achievement made even greater by the including former leaders of Poland, Antigua fact he is one of few global leaders elected and Barbuda, and South Korea. FROM: COSTA RICA before their fortieth birthday. Alvarado’s election is both a testament STUDIED: MSC Committed to his county, Alvarado’s to Chevening’s commitment to developing IN DEVELOPMENT election follows two successful years as future leaders and a source of inspiration STUDIES AT THE the Minister of Labour and Social Security for Cheveners everywhere. UNIVERSITY for the Citizen’s Action Party. This drive OF SUSSEX for inclusion and social security prevailed through his presidency campaign.

The impact of his MSc in Development Studies from the University of Sussex It is gratifying, through the is evident throughout Alvarado’s UK government’s Chevening achievements. During his career, Alvarado Scholarship programme, to developed the Multidimensional Poverty Index and Costa Rica’s national strategy be able to inspire generations to reduce poverty. of future leaders and global influencers, like President Carlos Like so many of our influential alumni, Alvarado, to leave their mark on Alvarado is leaving his mark on Costa Rican society and empowering others around him society and to empower others to do the same. around them to do the same.

On his election as president, Alvarado Ross Denny paid tribute to the impact of Chevening British Ambassador and studying in the UK: to Costa Rica & Nicaragua

‘My thanks to Chevening for the opportunity that it gave me, and for all that I was able to grow because of it. As a country, we must pursue the path of education and more opportunities to study for everyone.’ 12 / IMPACT REPORT IMPACT REPORT / 13 ICELAND

Gudni Thorlacius Jóhannesson President GLOBAL 2016– ICELAND NETWORK Sigmunder David Gunnlaugsson Prime Minister 2013–2016 By supporting the Worldwide, fourteen current brightest, most influential or former heads of states POLAND MONGOLIA and promising scholars or heads of government are Chevening Alumni Marek Belka Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal from across the globe, Prime Minister Prime Minister and working closely with 2004–2005 1999–2000 partners, embassies, and high commissions, we’ve built an REPUBLIC OF KOREA impressive global network ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Grigol (Gega) Mgaloblishvili Un-Chan Chung of 50,000 Chevening Alumni. Baldwin Spencer Prime Minister Prime Minister Prime Minister 2008–2009 2009–2010 Our engaged network of alumni act as 2004–2014 global ambassadors for the UK. We have created lasting relationships with leaders, influencers, and decision-makers. KIRIBATI COSTA RICA Anote Tong This global network grows in strength, Carlos Alvarado Quesada influence, and impact year on year. President President 2003–2016 2018–

COLOMBIA BULGARIA

Álvaro Uribe Vélez Sergei Stanishev President Prime Minister 2002–2010 2005–2009

BOLIVIA BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA TUVALU

Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé Mladen Ivanic Enele Sopoaga President Co-President Prime Minister 2005–2006 2016–2017 2013– 14 / IMPACT REPORT

GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERS

Over the past 35 years, Chevening has promoted economic development and better business environments CRISP attracts outstanding worldwide by funding scholars who have gone on to build companies, fellows from all sectors become directors, and hold senior (science, established and start- positions in global organisations. up businesses, government 90% of our alumni and NGOs) with a wide range are in full-time Their UK experience is transforming employment organisations around the world of professional experience with hundreds of alumni currently and expertise. This diversity occupying senior leadership positions is a huge strength, stimulating in organisations across every sector. conversations, ideas and insights throughout the programme A FELLOWSHIP: BUSINESS and in subsequent -UK connections and initiatives. LEADERS IN ACTION All CRISP fellows find the 100% agreed programme eye-opening and they have applied The Chevening Research, Science and skills and knowledge Innovation Programme (CRISP) has been of great value in terms of their gained from the running in collaboration with the University professional and personal UK to advance of Oxford since 2011. Since the programme development; and for many their career began, we have welcomed over 60 mid-career professionals in the fields of it is simply transformative. science, innovation, business, engineering Richard Briant and technology, and academia, from India and Sri Lanka. Associate Fellow, Saïd Business School, The main strands of CRISP include business, leadership and management, as well as wider issues including global challenges, politics, and international 99% of surveyed relations. The ten-week programme is alumni positively currently delivered by St. Cross College value UK business at the University of Oxford. and trade IMPACT REPORT / 15

KAGISO MADIBANA SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, ACADEMIC AND AUTHOR

A leader in social entrepreneurship, Kagiso is fulfilling her drive to inspire CLASS OF: 2011 change in her current role as Gender and The MA that Chevening funded Communications Analyst for the United FROM: BOTSWANA Nations Development Programme (UNDP). opened doors for my professional The UNDP helps countries to develop growth and personal development. STUDIED: MA policies, leadership skills, institutional Chevening exposed me to what JOURNALISM, capabilities, and build resilience in order the world has to offer in terms MEDIA & to sustain development results. COMMUNICATIONS of different life experiences and AT CARDIFF This role builds on Kagiso’s many, networking opportunities with UNIVERSITY many achievements. people from different races, countries, and backgrounds. Kagiso founded Nayang Association in 2014. This organisation aims to reform The networking sessions arranged the lives of under-privileged youth in by the Foreign & Commonwealth remote areas of Botswana. Its goal is to Office helped build my confidence donate towards, support and implement and I made connections with sustainable development projects. Kagiso remains chairperson of this organisation and young professionals in my field of has an active role as a mentor for their ‘Now interest from different countries. for them’ programme, providing a source of professional inspiration and guidance to secondary school children.

Kagiso’s determination to inspire change has been recognised. In 2015, she was first runner up in a national literary award; in 2016 she was selected as a Top 30 under 30 inspirational youth in Botswana; and in 2017 she was selected as Botswana’s representative at the African Union’s Youth & Gender summit.

Kagiso believes that Chevening instils inspiration amongst young, ambitious Botswanans and that her scholarship and time in the UK will continue to drive and impact her career. 16 / IMPACT REPORT

DRIVERS FOR CHANGE

Chevening Awardees are selected on Our alumni stories evidence their promise and potential to instigate exactly how this aim for change is positive change. As alumni they do not being realised. Their stories tell how fail to deliver this. they are transforming enterprises, education, and development Their time in the UK introduces them to policies around the world. an extensive network of others seeking to make positive changes and their degrees give them the skills to do this.

2005 2008 2009 2013 2015 KENYA CHILE NEPAL UKRAINE MONGOLIA FATUMA JUAN PABLO SUBINDRA ROMAN KHONGORZUL ABDULKADIR LARENAS BOGATI FISHCHUK (ZOLA) ADAN AMARSANAA Co-Founder Founder and CEO and Founder Founder and and Executive Chief Executive of the Training Founder and Head of Horn Director of of the Nepal and Practice Head of Beautiful of Africa Sistema B Peacebuilding Hearing Centre, Hearts Against Development Initiative Ivano-Frankivsk Sexual Violence Mission: To promote Initiative (HODI) National Medical forms of economic Mission: To Mission: To advo- University and Mission: To pro- organisation that enhance local cate, prevent, and Head of clinical mote peacebuild- can be measured input on security protect women and trials department, ing and counter based on the well- and development children from all Ivano-Frankivsk extremism among being of people, interventions forms of violence central city young people societies, and and strengthen through advoca- clinical hospital through sport. the planet. the capacity of cy, psychological societies to build Mission: To provide services, capac- durable peace. high quality medi- ity-building, and cal care to children raising awareness. and adults, free of charge. IMPACT REPORT / 17

Freshta Karim (2016) Founder and director of a mobile library called Charmaghz in Afghanistan. Freshta and her team are helping bring the joy of reading and spirit of critical thinking to hundreds of children around Kabul city. 18 / IMPACT REPORT

OUR PARTNERS

It is not just those who have studied in the UK who form the Chevening network. We also collaborate with an extensive and diverse range of partner organisations who support our mission.

For 35 years, Chevening and all of our Our partners add value to the Chevening partners have helped to build bridges programme by engaging with the scholars with more than 160 different countries and on their award and enriching their territories, supporting the education and experience of the UK by offering insight development of future leaders, influencers, into their industry and business. and decision-makers across the world. We are grateful to all our partners for their Our partners range from universities support. Their commitment to Chevening to global corporations, charities, enables us to offer scholarships to more foundations, and local businesses. future leaders, to extend our impact, and to work together to be a dynamic and life- All of our partners understand the power changing global awards programme. of education and the value of investing in future global leaders who will develop a lifelong connection to the UK.

Over the past two years, Chevening has been supported by a total of 241 partners offering an additional 1,229 awards IMPACT REPORT / 19

LUAN NGUYEN SUSTAINING PARTNER’S INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION

I was honoured to not only receive a Studying in the UK has given me a chance Chevening Scholarship, but to also be to better myself and it has enabled me CLASS OF: 2016 sponsored by Prudential. Prudential is one to reach my career goal of working in of Chevening’s oldest standing partners education. The education start-up, Everest FROM: VIETNAM and through their community investment Education, where I am a learning advisor initiative, Prudence Foundation, they aims to transform education in Vietnam STUDIED: MSC co-fund Chevening Scholars across Asia. by personalising learning and challenging EDUCATIONAL students to dream big and pursue STUDIES AT THE The Prudence Foundation focuses their goals. UNIVERSITY on improving education as a means OF GLASGOW to provide people with the skills and I am so grateful to Chevening and knowledge needed for success, so they Prudential for granting me the opportunity in turn contribute to the development of to study in the UK, it has helped me their communities. Being sponsored by secure a job I’m passionate about, Prudential increased my awareness of the opened up a huge network of global impressive education outreach work they support, provided me with fond memories do across Asia and inspired me to give back of British culture and has ultimately to my local community, something I can inspired me to inspire others. proudly say I do every day in my current role working at an innovative education start-up.

Education is one of the key areas of focus of Prudence Foundation as we recognise the vital role it plays in making communities more resilient and empowering people. Our support for the Chevening Scholarships helps put this commitment to action.

Marc Fancy, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE

We live in an increasingly globalised and connected world. Networks, friendships, and collaborations are vital to achieving global stability, prosperity, and developments. Chevening will support this by continuing to bring the world’s most exceptional individuals together through education and building these international bridges.

The future will bring new global Our ambition is that our partners challenges to overcome, problems to and supporters remain invested solve, and opportunities to seize. These in Chevening and help us to ensure new challenges and opportunities will our impressive network spans require new thinking from tomorrow’s multiple generations around leaders and Chevening will continue to the globe. provide the platform for these leaders to develop and connect. We want to keep investing in the leaders of tomorrow: Our international network will leaders who will transform continue to work across borders and the future. with the UK, through our embassies and high commissions, to develop new solutions, build diplomatic links, and drive development in their own communities and around the world.

Our aim is for the Chevening network to continue to grow, and that our 50,000 strong alumni network will double in size and influence. Design by soapbox.co.uk

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