This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship programme, with 46 Chevening and 47 Commonwealth scholarships awarded to Pakistani students, according to a press release from the British High Commission in Islamabad issued on Friday.
These prestigious programmes have cultivated a vibrant network of over 1,500 Commonwealth alumni and nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni in Pakistan. These alumni frequently gather to address contemporary challenges, creating a strong community of thought leaders and innovators.
The latest group of scholarship recipients hails from a wide array of backgrounds, embodying the cultural diversity of Pakistan. Students from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Pakistan Administered Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the Federal Capital Territory are among this year’s cohort. Remarkably, more than 60% of this year’s Chevening scholars are women, a testament to the programme’s commitment to inclusivity.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE commented on the significance of the scholarships, saying, “The Chevening programme helps develop a new generation of Pakistani leaders and change-makers. Many of our alumni have gone on to achieve extraordinary things back home. Not only do they get the benefit of studying at some of the best universities in the world, but they also get to experience the best of living in the UK. From climate studies to football coaching, I am looking forward to seeing what they achieve, and encourage all those interested to apply early.”
This year’s scholarships include unique fields such as Football Science, supported by Swindon Town Football Club, and for the first time, a scholarship for Heritage and Museum Studies, backed by Essex University. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs, with additional opportunities in Climate Studies offered by the University of Essex and further scholarships available from the University of Birmingham.
In a new initiative, the British High Commission launched Chevening Connect in Karachi, a debate series that brings together industry experts and Chevening alumni. The inaugural debate focused on climate challenges, discussing the technical, economic, and political leadership required to support Pakistan’s adaptation and resilience efforts.
Applications for Chevening Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year will close on November 5, 2024. Additionally, applications for the South Asia Journalism Programme, a two-month fellowship at the University of Westminster, are open until October 10, 2024. The Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies fellowship, a five-month programme, is also accepting applications until November 5, 2024. For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit chevening.org.
Commonwealth Scholarships for 2025-26 will open later this year. More details can be found on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk.
