Chevening Scholarship key in building Somalia’s future leaders-UK ambassador

The UK is committed is to building future leaders of Somalia through education, UK ambassador to Somalia David Concar has said.

In an interview with Goobjoog News, Concar said through the Chevening Scholarship scheme, his country is investing in future leaders for Somalia noting unlike other countries, capacity development is much more needed in Somalia owing to losses suffered during the two decades civil war.

“Chevening Scholarship scheme is about identifying and giving support to future leaders. All countries need future leaders because leaders create the future and they are part of it,” said Concar. “Somalia needs perhaps more than other countries after the troubled decades of recent history.”

The ambassador said the embassy in Mogadishu team was working to create awareness among Somalis to apply for the programme adding previous beneficiaries have been a force for good in Somalia and among themselves.

“It’s really a special scheme and Somalis who have been on the scheme in recent years have really gone on to be great things for themselves and for the country.”

So far, 43 Somalis have benefited from the one year master’s programme under the Chevening Scholarship scheme. Somalia is allotted eight slots each year.

With more than students from over 160 countries participating, Chevening Scholarship scheme has become an opportunity for global leadership and networking.

Applications for 2019/20 opened August 20 and will be closing November 6.

The scheme which is fully covered is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organisations.