The office of the British High Commission will be hosting a send off party on Thursday 2nd September 2010, at 1830-200hrs, for seven young Botswana students who are due to leave towards the end of September this year.
According to Kebatshabile Tsie, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British High Commission, the party will take place at the Commissioner’s Residence, Plot 1865 Westminster, and State House Drive.
“The seven students, who comprise 5 ladies and two males, will be reading for a one year Masters Programme, two under the Chevening Scholarship while five are funded by the Commonwealth.”
The High Commission spokesperson explained that the Chevening Scholarship was the United Kingdom Government’s flagship scholarship scheme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The British Council administers the programme on behalf of the High Commission.
“It should be noted that these are prestigious awards, aimed at young high flyers who are likely to make an outstanding contribution to their country in years to come, to study in the United Kingdom at postgraduate level,” Tsie highlighted.
To prove an existing background to Botswana’s link with Chevening, former scholars, and now sitting members of the country’s Parliament, Botsalo Ntuane MP and Mokgweetsi Masisi MP, feature in the party’s programme as the guests of honour.
A typical Chevening candidate is known to be a graduate with proven academic ability, who has been established in their career for at least two years, and has the potential to become a leader in their chosen field, with a clear idea of how the scholarship will benefit Botswana on their return.
The Programme also provides the Chevening Fellowship Scheme, which offers awards for 12-week courses that focus on particular subjects aligned to the FCO strategic framework.
Fellowships are aimed at mid career professionals with several years’ experience, who are in positions of leadership and influence (or in line for such positions) and who are active in the field of the Fellowship subject.
Tsie pointed out that one of the key objectives of Chevening is to build a strong network of friends of the UK around the world who will rise to increasingly influential positions over the years.
The programme was named after Chevening House, the country residence of the British Foreign Secretary.
Chevening has been running in Botswana since 1993 and its predecessor, the FCO Scholarships and Awards Scheme, has been here since the early 1980s.
There are now over sixty Chevening alumni in Botswana.
The seven are scheduled to leave some time mid September, hence an early send off ceremony.
