CHEVENING ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20 2 / ANNUAL REPORT THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS Aberdeen Scott - Aberdeen FCDO Cyber Policy Department Schumacher College University FCDO Cyber Desk Secretariat of Public education (SEP) Aberystwyth University Financial Supervisory Service Shell Agencia Nacional de Investigación e (Republic of Korea) Innovación (ANII) St George’s University of London GSK Anglo American Swansea University Institute of Chartered Accountants Arab Palestinian Investment England & Wales (ICAEW) The Cambridge Commonwealth, Company (APIC) European & International Trust Imperial College London BAE Systems Oman LLC Tree of Life (Bank of Georgia) India Prosperity Fund Bangor University United Kingdom Education Advisory International Student House Service (UKEAS) Bank of Kigali Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Universities Wales Bank of Korea (BoK) John S Latsis Public Benefit University College London Bank of Namibia Foundation University of Bath BBC Katerva University of Birmingham Becas Don Carlos Antonio López Korean Britain Society (KBS) (BECAL) University of Bradford King Abdullah Fund for Development Belarusky Narodny Bank University of Bristol Ladol Integrated Logistics Free Zone Birkbeck, University of London Enterprise University of Central Lancashire Bournemouth University Lancaster University University of Dundee BP Egypt Lemann Foundation University of East Anglia BP Gambia London Academy Casablanca University of Essex BP Madagascar London School of Economics and University of Exeter Political Science (LSE) BP Mauritania University of Glasgow Los Andes Association of Cajamarca University of Huddersfield BP Mexico (ALAC) University of Kent BP Senegal Mansion House University of Leeds British Chamber of Commerce in Marga Landmark Development Co. Korea (BCCK) University of Liverpool Ministry of Education, Culture, Brunel University Science & Sports of Mongolia University of Newcastle Bseisu Foundation (MECCS University of Nottingham Cardiff University Ministerio de Educación Superior University of Reading Ciencia y Tecnología (MESCYT) Commerce International Merchant University of Salford Bankers (CIMB) Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) University of South Wales Cofftea Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Korea (MOEF) University of Southampton Cone Marshall Limited Petrofund University of Stirling Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise Pfeffer Family Foundation University of Surrey Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Pinheiro Neto University of Sussex Constantine Tsereteli Prudence Foundation University of Warwick Coventry University Prudential University of Westminster De Montford University PT Prudential Life Assurance Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust (Oxford University) Delta Queen Mary, University of London Winston Wong (Grace THW Group) Diageo Robert Gordon University Yayasan Khazanah Durham University Royal Agricultural University European Bank of Reconstruction & Saïd Foundation Development (EBRD) 1 / ANNUAL REPORT FOREWORD As the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Minister for Scholarships, I am proud of Chevening’s story. Chevening transforms the lives of its global participants, changing their perceptions of the world and of their own role within it. The Annual Report sets out Chevening’s Bringing the best minds together to latest chapter. While Covid-19 has create positive change, scholarships disrupted lives around the world, I help break down cultural, social and was heartened to hear of so many economic barriers. Scholars discover an Chevening Scholars and Alumni rising to academic discipline, discover their global this challenge through their resilience, neighbours, and – most importantly – perseverance and leadership. Examples of discover who they are and what kind of the Chevening community excelling when leader they want to be. faced with this unexpected adversity feature within this report. Where brilliant people from a diverse range of backgrounds converge, ideas International scholarships bring together blossom. Backed by world-class learning bright and creative people from all over institutions, innovative businesses and the world to address global challenges. some of the best global minds, together There has never been a more important we are a global Chevening community time for international collaboration. capable of shifting the boundaries of our imaginations. Also in the Report are examples of Finally, I’d like to extend my thanks to our scholars and alumni tackling issues Chevening Partners – from UK using the skills gained from their universities to corporate partners – studies, including a scholar promoting whose support makes so many green technologies in Botswana (p.12) and scholarships possible. an alumnus in Bangladesh who has contributed thousands of recycled, NIGEL ADAMS MP biodegradable face masks to the MINISTER OF STATE government’s free face mask programme during the pandemic (p.10). 2 / ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION It has been an extraordinary year for the Chevening programme. When I took over as Head of the Scholarships Unit at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at the end of 2019 I was excited about what my first year overseeing this prestigious programme would bring. I can’t say it turned out as I had imagined! It would be strange to introduce this Which brings me to our partnerships. report without acknowledging some of The scale of the Chevening community the challenges of running international is increased significantly by our partners. scholarship and fellowship schemes during The 2019-2020 Chevening cohort was a pandemic, a scheme which which brings supported by 45 university and 82 scholars from around the world together, corporate or public-sector partnerships. to embed scholars in their wonderful These partnerships allow us to offer more Chevening community. scholarships to more deserving candidates, with 1 in 5 scholars supported by a partner There has been some reimagining to do. in 2019-2020. They also add value to our In March 2020, we changed our policies programme by exposing scholars to new to allow current scholars to complete their organisations which they can learn from, degrees from home. We also postponed and offering fantastic add-ons such as work several of our fellowship schemes to 2021. experience and mentoring. In July 2020, we held our first full-cohort fully-online Farewell event, which you can The Chevening Partners contribute to a life- read about in the following pages. Our new changing experience for the individuals they cohort have jumped through many hoops to fund, and we want to thank you for your make it to the UK to start their courses. For generous support. those scholars prevented from travelling, we have supported remote learning until they I could not be prouder to be associated with are able to make it to the UK. the Chevening programme this year. It has been a delight to see how our scholars, fellows, staff and partners have overcome the hurdles this situation has put in our way. Our scholars have done some incredible things to support each other and their communities, and many contributed their skills and experience on the frontline of NAOMI RAYNER the Covid-19 response. HEAD OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS UNIT AT THE FCDO The impressive Chevening cohort in the UK in 2019-2020, nearly two thousand strong, has shown how it can be a force for good from the very beginning of the Chevening journey. THE 2019-2020 CHAPTER IN THE CHEVENING STORY In September and October 2019, 1700 new Chevening Scholars arrived in the UK, most of the 160 Chevening-eligible countries and territories, with over 50 scholars each from Mexico, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Indonesia. Scholars adapted to their life in the UK quickly. At the orientation event in October scholars were given guidance to help them settle in. They were inspired by keynote addresses by Rita French, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador for Human Rights and Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International. Most importantly, this provided the first opportunity to network with Chevening Scholars from different universities, and to meet Secretariat and FCDO staff. SCHOLARS SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER The bonds formed at these early Some of my best Chevening events proved invaluable to Chevening Scholars when the friends and I decided to coronavirus pandemic came to the form a support system UK in early 2020. Completing a one- during which we set aside year postgraduate degree in the UK one day every week during in 2020 turned out to be challenging lockdown [to]…catch up in ways nobody had imagined in on everything that we’ve September 2019, but Chevening Scholars rose to the challenge in been doing, in addition to extraordinary ways. sharing some emotional, educational and social coping In a survey of scholar satisfaction strategies that we discovered and wellbeing in July 2020, a high during lockdown (banana proportion of our scholars said they had provided emotional or bread recipes featured practical support to other scholars quite heavily)…. If anything, during the lockdown period, through Covid-19 brought us closer starting support groups and running together as Cheveners. wellbeing activities, among other things. One scholar said: Pictured: Orientation 2019 4 / ANNUAL REPORT SCHOLARS ADAPTED TO ONLINE award, with scholars allowed to return home LEARNING early where this was possible, to continue their studies from home. As well as adapting to life in lockdown and We also provided personal support, all the personal