CAIRO: On Wednesday Sept. 9 , the British Embassy in Cairo celebrated a massive expansion of the British-Egyptian education partnership as 80 new Egyptian Chevening students get ready to depart for the U.K..
The Chevening class of 2015 is made up of a record number of young Egyptian students following a tripling in U.K. government funding for the programme in Egypt. The number of young Egyptians awarded the prestigious scholarship leapt this year from 30 to 80.
Together with the Newton-Mosharafa Fund, a brand new science and research partnerships worth £20m over five years, this means that the U.K. is providing scholarships and grants to almost 200 young Egyptians this year.
British Ambassador John Casson said:
“These bright young Egyptians are exactly what Egypt needs. A new generation of leaders from diverse backgrounds and professional fields who are intelligent, determined, and passionate about transforming their country for the better.
“The Chevening Programme represents a fantastic opportunity not just for these young people to continue their postgraduate studies at some of the very best universities in the world. It also represents a fantastic opportunity for our two countries – Britain and Egypt – to develop strong, personal connections over the long term that will benefit all of us.
“Tripling funding for Chevening and launching the Newton-Mosharafa Fund are clear demonstrations of the U.K.’s commitment to empowering young people and helping them build the future they want to see for their country. This work is at the very heart of what Britain is doing in Egypt.”
Menna Farag from Alexandria is one of this year’s Chevening scholars. Speaking last week to British Consul-General in Alexandria Caroline Alcock, she said:
“Out of my passion for youth empowerment, I will study: Participation, Power and Social Change at the University of Sussex. After earning my degree, I hope I can influence youth programs all around the region, to be more empowering and rewarding.”
Mohamed El Sonbaty will be going to Edinburgh University to study a Masters in Science Communication and Public Engagement. He said:
” While planning to earn a Master degree in Science Communication, I was searching for an award that is designed to create leaders who are willing to change the world: Chevening was my programme of choice. It is a lifetime opportunity. After returning to Egypt, I will establish NGO for Science Communication to fight science literacy and promote scientific awareness, which are the most powerful tools to lead the change in my society. ”
Zeyad Salem will study Multimedia Journalism at Westminster University:
“I have always been a believer in the power of storytelling in social reform. Chevening doesn’t only give me a chance to study at one of the world’s best universities but also to live in London, the media capital of the world. I am looking forward to coming back to Egypt after my Masters and use what I learnt to tell the stories of those who don’t have access to be heard for those who don’t have the access to listen”
Khaled ElZoghby Aly achieved his LLM from Nottingham Law School. He said:
“Studying my LLM International Law in Nottingham Law School was a dream until I achieved it by being a Chevening Scholar. During my studying period in the U.K., I had the opportunity to learn a lot, not only common law and international law, but it was full of excitement and challenges between people from different countries, cultures and experiences. It was not only about education, it was an experience more than anyone can expect but worth it.”
Khaled and the rest of the class of 2014-15 join a prestigious global network that numbers more than 44,000 Chevening alumni across the world. In Egypt, Chevening alumni include former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ziad Bahaa el-Din, Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Dr Mohamed Youssef, and TV presenter Dr Mohamed Said Mahfouz.
Chevening applications for academic year 2016/2017 are currently open until the 3rd of November. Full details about how to apply can be found on the Chevening website:www.chevening.org/apply
The preceding press release represent the views of The British Embassy in Cairo, and does not represent the editorial policy of The Cairo Post.