The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, in a recent visit to the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Grenada, announced an immediate doubling of Chevening Scholarships available to Commonwealth Caribbean countries.
The increase comes off the back of a tripling of the number of Chevening Scholarships in 2014, and will apply to the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago.
PM David Cameron spoke of his delight at being the first British Prime Minister to visit the Caribbean in 14 years, a visit that demonstrated a clear desire to strengthen Britain’s relationship with the region.
‘I’m coming with one clear and simple message – we would both benefit from a stronger and deeper relationship,’ he said in a meeting with Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell. ‘We want to help the Caribbean on their path of development – supporting economic growth and creating new opportunities for people living here.’
Speaking of how Chevening Scholarships can benefit the region and create these new opportunities, Victoria Dean, the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said: ‘Doubling the number of Chevening Scholarships is one of the best ways the UK can help support the Caribbean. The talented leaders of the future study in the UK for a one-year Master’s and then bring home their knowledge, skills, experience and contacts for the benefit of the region.’
Charles Leacock studied for an LLM in Criminal Justice at King’s College London in 1992/1993 on a Chevening Scholarship. He is now the director of public prosecutions in Barbados and echoed the High Commissioner’s sentiments by acknowledging how his Chevening experience shaped his future.
‘My Chevening Scholarship experience was fast paced and exciting,’ he said. ‘The ready access to law professionals, law lords, and academics at dinners and social events were unparalleled as an investment in my career and life’.
Fellow Barbadian, Shena-Ann Ince (LLM in Law, Cambridge, 2013/2014), encouraged others from the Caribbean to apply: ‘The Chevening community provides an opportunity for global networking and the professional and personal benefits are endless. We are all global citizens, so seize the opportunity and your life will be richer as a result.’
Applications for Chevening Scholarships close at midday (UK time) on 3 November 2015. For more information, applicants should visit www.chevening.org/apply
