Britain awards 15 Malawians Chevening scholarships to study in UK

The British High Commission has announced that 15 outstanding Malawians have been awarded scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies at leading British universities from September 2013.

Speaking on Thursday when he hosted a farewell dinner for the scholars in Lilongwe, Acting High Commissioner, Kirk Hollingsworth, congratulated the 15 on their selection for the highly sought after scholarships.

“The Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are highly competitive brands that serve to mould future leaders across the world.

“These scholarships represent another facet of the UK’s investment in the future of Malawi’s most valuable asset – its people.  Education will continue to play a key role in Malawi’s development and the British High Commission and British Council in Lilongwe are pleased to be associated with these scholarship awards.

“I congratulate the Malawi scholars for joining the highly prestigious clubs of Chevening and Commonwealth scholars and I wish them well as they depart for the UK,” Hollingsworth said.

Four Chevening and three Commonwealth scholars will pursue one year postgraduate studies leading to masters’ degrees whilst eight will be pursuing studies leading to PHDs.

Tiwonge Ng’ona, one of the recipients, was thankful to the British Government for offering her the opportunity to make a difference.

“It has always been my desire to contribute to women’s empowerment and I believe through this scholarship, I’ll be able to do that. There are still many under privileged women who lack opportunities for self empowerment and development and I hope to make a difference on my return from the UK,” Ng’ona said.

The 2013/14 Chevening Scholars are: Chikondi Towera Gausi, who will study for an MA in Media & International Development, University of East Anglia; Khumbo Gift Soko (LLM in International Economic Law, University of Warwick); Tiwonge Ng’ona (MA Media Practice for Development and Social Change, University of Sussex); and Samuel Gausi (MSc Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security, Royal Agricultural College).

Others are Susan Chinangwa Manyetera (MSc Development Studies, University of East Anglia); Madalitso Mlava Mbendera (MA Media and Development, University of Westminster); and Elias Msongolera Munthali (MSc Geotechnical Engineering, University of Surrey); Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa (PhD Human Resources Management, University of Manchester); Edister Samson Jamu (PhD Applied Psychology , University of Manchester) ans Steven William Kayuni (DPhil Public International Law, University of Sussex).

The list included Sunduzwayo Madise (PhD Public International Law, University of Warwick); Alan Msosa (PhD Social Studies, University of Essex); Peter Ngwinjo Namphande (PhD Social Policy, University of Ulster); Mercy Chiwiya Ngwira (PhD Development Studies, University of Bradford); and Esther Phiri (PhD Electrical Power, Loughborough University).

One of  2012/2013 academic year’s Chevening scholars, George Kasakula   an editor at Nation Publications Limited who studied for an MA in Communication and International Journalism  at Leeds University   returned home  this week.

Chevening is Britain’s flagship scholarship scheme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The Chevening Scholarship Programme is offered in 150 countries worldwide to over 2,300 candidates annually.

The aim of the programme is to bring young leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers to the UK for a period of postgraduate study at a formative stage in their careers who in future can play a leading role in effecting change at all policy making levels in the public and private sectors of society.

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