As the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship programme is celebrated, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has invited Pakistani students to apply for the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year. This year, 46 Chevening and 47 Commonwealth scholarships have been awarded to Pakistani students, expanding a network of over 1,500 Commonwealth and nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni across the country.
Legacy of Opportunity
The Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships have long provided Pakistani students with unique opportunities to study in the United Kingdom. The programmes have developed a strong alumni network that frequently gathers to discuss current issues and create solutions, further enriching the bilateral ties between the UK and Pakistan.
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This year’s scholarship recipients come from a wide range of backgrounds, representing the cultural diversity of Pakistan. They hail from regions including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Pakistan Administered Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Federal Capital Territory. Notably, over 60% of this year’s Chevening scholars are women, reflecting the programme’s commitment to gender equity.
Diverse Fields of Study
The scholarships cover a wide array of fields, offering a unique blend of traditional and innovative academic disciplines. For the first time, the cohort includes students in niche fields like Football Science, supported by Swindon Town Football Club, and Heritage and Museum Studies, sponsored by the University of Essex. The latter scholarship aims to promote the preservation of cultural heritage in Pakistan.
Additionally, the University of Essex continues to offer a scholarship for Climate Studies, recognizing the urgent need for climate adaptation and resilience. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in their studies and the UK’s diverse culture.
Chevening Connect: A New Platform for Dialogue
This month, the British High Commission launched “Chevening Connect” in Karachi, a new debate series that brings together industry experts and Chevening alumni. The inaugural debate focused on climate change, discussing the technical, economic, and political leadership required to support Pakistan in developing resilience against climate impacts. The series aims to foster collaboration between Pakistani professionals and the UK, strengthening ties between the two nations.
High Commissioner’s Message to Students
Addressing prospective students, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott encouraged applications from all backgrounds and regions of Pakistan. “The Chevening programme helps develop a new generation of Pakistani leaders and change-makers,” she said. “Many of our alumni have gone on to achieve extraordinary things back home. Not only do they benefit from studying at some of the best universities in the world, but they also get to experience the best of living in the UK.”
Fareeha Gull Hashmi, an incoming Chevening scholar and Assistant Manager of the Oral History Project at the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, echoed Marriott’s sentiments. “I am thrilled to be joining the University of Essex for my MA in Heritage and Museum Studies,” she said. “This programme is exactly what I was looking for to help me improve heritage and cultural preservation in Pakistan.”
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025-26 Chevening Scholarships close on November 5, 2024. The South Asia Journalism Programme, a two-month fellowship at the University of Westminster, is also open until October 10. For more information and to apply, visit chevening.org.
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Applications for Commonwealth Scholarships for 2025-26 will open later this year. Interested candidates can visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk for more details.