The British High Commission Celebrates A&B’s Latest Chevening Alumni
Antigua and Barbuda’s newest Chevening Alumni were honoured during an official Welcome Home reception hosted by Resident British Commissioner Her Excellency Lindsy Thompson at the British High Commission in St John’s last night.
Sharifa George who has been awarded a Masters in Strategic Marketing from the University of Sussex; Malaeka Goodwin who has been awarded a Masters in Forensic Accounting from the University of Portsmouth and Jeniece St Romaine who has been awarded a Masters in International Trade Law at the University of Leeds were all presented with their Chevening certificates during the Tuesday night ceremony.
“Tonight we’re celebrating the intelligence, tenacity and ambition of the newest members of our Chevening Alumni family. They and our illustrious alumni present tonight will know that securing a Chevening Scholarship isn’t easy, indeed globally only around two per cent of applicants secure a scholarship,” Ms Thompson explained.
“Antigua and Barbuda significantly exceeds this average: 16 per cent of the nation’s applications secure places. There is indeed a wealth of talent in this twin-island nation.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, E.P. Chet Greene challenged the awardees to not only further their educational exploits to the doctoral level but to also explore ways their studies can intersect with the overall development of the twin-island nation.
“The role that you are called upon to play in nation building is a real one. It’s one that I ask you take seriously and give your all too.
“So, you have achieved your masters and the next level invariably is doctoral studies and doctoral if only to add to the cadre of citizens already in that area, but more importantly that you not see your doctoral ambitions as personal, but see them within the context of people’s holistic development,” the minister charged, noting that Antigua and Barbuda needs the scholar’s service now.
During the fourth annual Welcome Home event, the scholars shared stories of their Chenvening journey and encouraged other Antiguans and Barbudans to take advantage of the prestigious scholarship.
The application window for the Chevening Awards normally opens at the end of summer each year and residents are encouraged to follow the Resident Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda Facebook account for important updates.
Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), partner organisations, and partner universities.
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.
The Chevening programme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme.
Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide, and over the past five years we have awarded almost 10,000 scholarships.
There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.