SINCE the academic year 2015-2016, the United Kingdom (UK) has expended $503 million on all but four of 83 Chevening scholarships which went to Guyana.

“I am proud of the fact that we have committed this amount of funding to develop and train those people who will help develop Guyana. I am also proud that we have shown an increasing commitment to Suriname over the same period,” said British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, during a farewell ceremony for 13 persons– 11 from Guyana and two from Suriname– who benefited from the Chevening Scholarship this year.
This year’s scholarships represented an investment by the British Government of some $93 million.

The Chevening is an international scholarship scheme which enables students with leadership qualities from 144 countries and territories to undertake post-graduate study or courses in universities in the UK.

The scholars will be studying for postgraduate qualifications in a variety of topics including marine planning, oil and gas law, health studies, the environment, human rights, economics, information technology, media and cultural studies and for the first time ever in Guyana and Suriname, Sports Science, which will be undertaken by Jaime Skeete.

After these scholars have been awarded their degrees, the UK expects them to come back and work for the benefit of Guyana and Suriname.

“That is the purpose of Chevening, to give people the skills and knowledge needed to help develop their own country… not to go and work elsewhere but to return and work here. It is the least that we can expect. We are not spending money to have people vanish off elsewhere. We are spending money to help them develop Guyana and Suriname,” said Quinn.

He said Chevening is all about having the opportunity to learn and develop, and then coming back to use the teachings and experience to benefit Guyana and everyone who lives here.

The high commissioner encouraged the scholars to meet up with other scholars, old and new because building and enhancing the scholars’ alumni group is fundamental to the UK.
The British Government wants all scholars to exchange ideas and encourage discussion around key issues; by doing so, they will be part of a group which has shared experiences.
These experiences will allow them to become effective advocates for the development of Guyana.

By playing a part in the Chevening Alumni, scholars join several hundred peers and colleagues who have shared similar experiences and who can support each other.
A former beneficiary of the Chevening Scholarship, Dr. Quincy Jones outlined what he called three simple truths from the experience.

The first, he said, was a shot at a master’s degree in the UK, which is an experience of a lifetime, something persons should make full use of. It is an opportunity to be lectured by some of the brightest minds ever.

Jones said persons are able to create networks and tap into it to further Guyana’s developmental agenda.

“Returning home is the hardest… learning in the UK is easy but coming back to Guyana is when it gets rough…Your MSC, MBA, LLM will not entitle you to a job that will allow you to expose your talents… It took us more than a year to get a job that could maximise our skill sets,” he said, adding that persons should not be discouraged by this, but should persevere and make the most of the opportunity.

Principal of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Viola Rowe, on behalf of Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, said being part of the programme provides promise for Guyana. She thanked the people of the UK for helping Guyana to embrace globalisation through study programme.

Rowe said experiences garnered from international education have the potential to reduce academic in-breathing.

Eligible candidates were encouraged to apply for next year’s Chevening scholarship scheme. Applications opened on August 5 and will close on November 5, for those who will go to the UK in September 2020.

For more information, persons should look at the official Chevening website www.chevening.org/apply or the High Commission Facebook page.