I'm finally getting the chance to blog about my visit to Edinburgh last week. I attended one of our annual receptions for Chevening scholars, which are held all over the UK.
I met a fascinating group of scholars from a wide range of countries studying at several different Scottish universities, plus one studying at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Chevening scholarship scheme is important for the FCO and for the UK because it brings to the UK the people who have been identified by our embassies and other overseas posts as the future opinion formers and leaders of their countries.
All the people I met in Edinburgh showed that they have the spark to be the 'changemakers' and to lead their countries into the future. So I send them all my best wishes: for their dissertations in the next few months; and in the longer term for a continuing relationship with the UK.
We will be changing funding in future years to redirect FCO resources into climate change efforts, so competition for places will be even keener, but we do want to do more to keep in touch with alumni through the new Chevening website (www.chevening.com).
Posted at 16:22 01 July 2008 by Jim Murphy | Comments[0]
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