These scholars will undergo a one year Masters all expenses paid programme at UK universities for the academic year 2015/2016. The event was graced by members of the Chevening Alumni, British Embassy Banjul staff and invited guests.
Ambassador Crorkin took this opportunity to wish the scholars a successful programme and emphasised that the “people to people ties are strong” between The Gambia and the UK. The awarding of the Chevening Scholarships has increased significantly from 2 scholarships per year to 11 this academic year, which demonstrates the importance placed on the relationship between the two nations.
One Gambian who will attend a UK university is Ms Safiatou Singhateh. Ms Singhateh has chosen to focus her Masters in Reproductive and Sexual Health Research at the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In expressing her sentiments she stated that, “I am very excited and it is just hitting me now that I have been selected for such a prestigious scholarship. I hope to make good use of this opportunity.”
Another Gambian student who has also departed for the UK to undertake his scholarship is Abdoulie Sey. Mr Sey who has enrolled at the University of Kent to pursue an M.A. in International Multimedia Journalism stated that, “It is a great opportunity for me, for GRTS and for The Gambia in general. It is going to greatly enable me to push GRTS to another level. Currently we are in the digital age and I am going to study International Multimedia journalism, meaning that I will be a digital Ambassador of GRTS.”
During the event the Chevening Alumni interacted with the selected scholars and encouraged them to work hard in achieving their Masters degree. The Alumni consists of former Gambian Chevening scholars who graduated from UK Universities.
On behalf of the Chevening Alumni, Mr Dawda Jallow, who is the Principal Legal Officer at the Ministry of Finance & Economic Affairs, encouraged them to come out of the programme with flying colours.
Applications for Chevening Scholarships for the 2016/2017 academic year are still open to Gambian students and do not close until 3 November. All eligible persons are encouraged to apply via – www.chevening.org/gambia