By Amin Kef Sesay
On the 20th August, 2021, the British High Commission hosted the 2021 Chevening Cohorts to congratulate and bid farewell to the four talented Sierra Leoneans that were awarded Scholarship places to study their post graduate degrees in the UK. This was made know through a Press Release issued by the High Commission.
Chevening is UK Government’s flagship scholarship programme, funded by FCDO and partner organisations. It was established in 1983 and supports about 1,300 scholars from 160 countries and territories each year. Chevening scholarship program now has over 50,000 alumni around the world.
Since the start of the Chevening Scholarship Program in 1983, there have been over 300 Chevening scholars from Sierra Leone. Chevening was one of the few scholarship programs in the world to grant young leaders opportunities to study in the UK. This year four Sierra Leoneans have been given the opportunity to study Masters in Mental Health, Data Science and Statistics, Engineering, and Tropical and Infectious Diseases at UK Universities.
The British High Commission stated that the Chevening Cohort reception is an opportunity to wish scholars well before they travel to the UK for their studies.
During this year’s event scholars spoke to previous Alumni about their experiences, and swapped stories and top tips for how to make the most of their time in the UK and for how when they return to effect change and support development in Sierra Leone.
The Designate British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney, welcomed the cohort and previous alumni on her second week in Sierra Leone.
“I am delighted to meet with our talented new Chevening Scholars and wish them well for the next year ahead. I look forward to hearing about your adventures and successes and how you will use your studies to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone.”
Coordinator for Chevening Alumni Association in Sierra Leone, Momo Turay, acknowledged the contribution of the UK Government in Sierra Leone, saying “The UK through Chevening and nurturing the talent and education of Sierra Leone young people has significantly contributed to the development of Sierra Leone.”
He encouraged the scholars to work hard and come back to serve and be part of the country’s history. Former Chevening Alumni include doctors, lawyers, governance experts, environmental specialists, and law enforcement including the current Deputy Inspector General of Police Mrs. Elizabeth Turay.
The Chevening Application for 2022 is currently open and will close on the 6th November 2021. More details can be found on the Chevening Website and @UKinSierraLeone social media pages.
