01 Sep 2019

Batswana have been encouraged to apply for the 2020/2021 intake of the prestigious Chevening scholarship tenable in the United Kingdom. 

“Whether it is your first time or 10^th time applying, if you know you have what it takes, I would encourage you to apply for this scholarship, studying in the UK will grant you countless career development and elevation opportunities and doing so with Chevening carries a lot of clout that will work to your advantage,” 

British High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms Katy Ransome said recently.

Speaking at the 2019/20 Chevening send off ceremony for nine Botswana scholars, Ms Ransome said Chevening scholarships continued to nurture the UK-Botswana relationship with regard to education, which had come a long way. 

Since 1983, she said Chevening had brought over 50 000 exceptional professionals from around the world to study in the UK through scholarships and fellowships funded by the UK government. 

“This year’s send off ceremony is a special one, since nine scholars are being sent from our lucky number seven. 

Botswana scholars continue to be inspirational candidates whose profiles are an indication of the transition and growing economy of Botswana,” explained Ms Ransome. 

She said the scholarship enabled emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in any subject at any UK university and the unique opportunity had helped to elevate careers, transform communities, shift and deepen perspectives and build intercontinental bridges. 

Ms Ransome described Chevening alumni as leaders and innovators who were breaking boundaries across a variety of professional fields including media, human rights, science, law, trade, information technology and consultancy. 

“Our Chevenning alumni are rightfully positioned in prominent positions across the fields in Botswana; from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, Mr Philip Makgalemele  to Eunice Hanna. 

All these names are part of the game changing global leaders who continue to be movers and shakers in their chosen career paths and the landscapes of Botswana,” she said. 

Chevening, she said, did not just open doors, but also opened minds, noting that scholars would learn a lot simply by interacting with people from all over the world, travelling around the UK and getting involved in the communities they lived in. 

Those who got the most out of the experience, she said, were the ones who put the most into it, citing Ms Pretty Pheko, who recently got a gold award for her exceptional volunteer work while still pursuing her MSc in International Security at University of Dundee. 

On completing the studies scholars will leave the UK equipped with the knowledge and networks necessary to bring their own ideas to life, she said. Ends