RIYADH, 8 July 2006 — Thirteen Saudis, including four women, have won the Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship awards.
Three other Saudis were selected for scholarships provided by SABB (Saudi British Bank) for the next academic year.
Eight young Saudis received the Chevening Scholarship awards for postgraduate studies in a range of disciplines, including international law, finance, education and administration. Five other graduates won the awards for the 2006 Chevening Fellowship Program.
The scholarship and fellowship awards were presented at the residence of British Ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles on Wednesday night at a function attended by a distinguished gathering, including Director of British Council Alan Smart, SABB’s Managing Director John Coverdale and Peter Wodel from BAE Systems. Both SABB and BAE Systems are the sponsors of the Chevening Scholarship program, which is managed by the British Council on behalf of the British Embassy.
Among the candidates, a majority of the winners are from the Central Province. Others are from Abha, Qasim, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.
The ambassador, speaking on the occasion, said 11,000 Saudis went to Britain last year for higher studies.
“There are 3,000 full-time students. We are very proud that the number of Saudis studying in Britain is still increasing at such a high level,” he said.
Underlining the significance of the scholarship scheme, he said it would promote better understanding not only between the two countries but also between Saudi and British universities.
Talks on the academic exchange program in this regard are ongoing, the ambassador said, adding, “The Chevening Scholarship is one of the golden threads strengthening the fabric of relationship between the two countries.
“It is very important that when you go to Britain learn not only about Britain but also spread word about Saudi Arabia. Can I urge you, the new scholars and fellows, not to just hang out and spend time with your Saudi friends but also to make friends with other nationalities.”
Speaking about this year’s scholarship scheme, Smart said, “We are really looking for younger people who are going to contribute something special to Saudi Arabia after they have studied in the UK. We are looking for highly intelligent and active young people who are going to study in the UK and bring back experience and be part of the country’s continuous development and progress.”
One of the scholarship winners, Faten Al-Saif, said this is the second time she has received this Chevening Scholarship award. She did her studies in tropical medicine.
