introduction chevening-fellowship-programme
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AN INTRODUCTION TOCHEVENING FELLOWSHIPS
Partners in leadership
12-WEEK COURSES – JANUARY TO APRIL 2010OFFERED BY THE UK FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICEFIFTH EDITION
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What is the Chevening Programme? 5
Fellowship courses offered in 2010 5
The application procedure 6
The Fellowship offer 8
Course content 8
After the Fellowship course ends 9
CONTENTS
‘The Chevening Fellowship was a turning point in my life. I have learned a lot of things and unlearned a lot of things. I can say that the Chevening Fellowship and especially the Reform, Regulation and Public Servicecourse at Bradford University was a real experience that gave me knowledge, exposure, leadership, andenthusiasm to change.’Ibrahim Abdel Rahim, Egypt, Chevening Fellow, 2009
‘The Chevening Fellowship courses provide an excellentopportunity to develop strong international networksbetween highly successful professionals in the publicand private sectors. For us at Bradford they are a keypart of our global outlook and reflect our commitmentto “making knowledge work”.’Professor Mark Cleary, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford
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WHAT IS THE CHEVENINGPROGRAMME?Chevening is the Scholarship and Fellowship Programme funded by the UK’s
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Since the programme was established
in 1983, it has provided over 32,000 Scholarships and Fellowships to students
around the world allowing them to study at prestigious universities in the UK.
The Chevening Programme is made up of two distinct schemes: the Scholarship
scheme and the Fellowship scheme. The Fellowship scheme offers awards for
study on 12-week courses that focus on particular subjects aligned to the FCO’s
Strategic Framework (see opposite). Fellowships are aimed at mid-career
professionals with several years’ experience, who are in positions of leadership
and influence (or in line for such positions), and who are active in the field of
the Fellowship subject.
The Scholarship scheme is different: it aims to attract and select candidates
from around the world with the greatest potential to be future leaders.
Successful candidates are offered postgraduate courses, generally of
12 months’ duration at universities in the United Kingdom. If you would
like to know more about Chevening Scholarships, please check our
website: www.chevening.com.
FELLOWSHIP COURSES OFFERED IN 2010All of our Fellowship courses fit into the FCO’s Strategic Framework, which
consists of four policy goals: Countering terrorism and weapons proliferation,
and their causes; Preventing and resolving conflict; Promoting a low-carbon,
high-growth global economy; and Developing effective institutions (above all
the UN and the EU). The FCO’s Strategic Framework also consists of a flexible
global network serving the whole of the British government and essential
services to support the British economy and British nationals abroad.
In 2010 we will offer 14 Fellowship courses, which will run from
11 January to 1 April:
� Conflict Prevention and Resolution
� Delivering Economic and Regulatory Reform
� Democracy, the Rule of Law and Security
� Economics of Climate Change
� Economics of Energy
� European Political Economy
� Finance and Investment in a Low-Carbon Economy
� Government Relations with NGOs and Civil Society
� Implementing Human Rights Conventions
� International Institutional Governance and Effectiveness
� Managing Migration
� Peacekeeping and International Capacity Building
� Reforming the Security and Justice Sectors in Post-Conflict Countries
� Using Democracy for Peace.
‘I would like to profusely thank the FCO for providing me with thisexcellent opportunity to visit the UK and enrich myself with valuableinformation and knowledge, whichwill positively contribute towards my professional career as well as organisational development in the long run.’Yasmin Yusuf, Pakistan, Chevening Fellow, 2009
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THE APPLICATION PROCEDUREMost Chevening Fellows are nominated directly by our British Missions, which
comprise Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates; however, we are happy
to consider applications from individuals who are suitably qualified. Selection is
highly competitive and we receive many more applications than the limited
number of Fellowship places available each year. We can accept applications
only from those who meet all the following criteria:
Selection criteria: to be eligible to apply you must be:
� A successful mid-career professional (for example, a director-general,
director or senior civil servant or head or director of an NGO) with several
years of experience. We would not normally consider applications from
those who have completed only one or two years’ full-time employment.
� In a position of leadership/authority and influence or in line for
such a position.
� Active in the field of the Fellowship or with recent relevant work
experience or having demonstrated a developed interest in the subject
area of the Fellowship.
� Already fluent in English and with a high standard of written English.
Although we do not formally test English language skills, we expect
candidates to have an IELTS score of at least 6.0 (listening and speaking)
and 5.5 (reading and writing) or a TOEFL score of 580.
� Academically able to follow a UK postgraduate course and willing to actively
contribute to it.
� Interested in developing international links in the subject of the Fellowship.
� Able to attend the full 12-week Fellowship course. Those who anticipate
not being able to attend 12 weeks should not apply. You should have outline
agreement from your employer to be absent for 12 weeks before you apply.
Please note that applicants who are very qualified/experienced are unlikely
to gain significant personal benefit from attending a Fellowship course.
In some cases, overqualified or over experienced Fellows can have an
unsettling effect on other participants. If you are in doubt about your
suitability for a Fellowship course, please discuss your circumstances with
the Chevening officer at the British Council or British Mission before you
submit your application.
STAGE 1: MAKING AN APPLICATION
If you think that you meet all the above criteria, please contact the Chevening
officer in June to discuss your application. Those who appear to qualify for
the Fellowship scheme will be asked to complete an application form.
The application form will ask you to provide a personal statement of up to
1,200 words. This should describe how a Chevening Fellowship might help you
to contribute to achieving change and improvement in your country as well as
how you would build on your Fellowship experience and share what you have
learned. You will also be asked to explain how the Fellowship would fit with your
career plans and personal aspirations.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms varies so please
check the date very carefully. Applications should be sent directly to the
British Mission, and not to the British Council.
STAGE 2: THE FIRST SIFT
Each British Mission has a quota and can nominate only one candidate per
course per year (in some circumstances the quota is increased to three
candidates per course per year). The British Mission will sift all application
forms and reject those from candidates who do not meet the strict criteria
detailed above or do not provide a convincing personal statement. A large
number of applications will fail at this stage and it is not possible to appeal
if you are unsuccessful.
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‘I found this experience extremely engaging and rewarding. A tremendous opportunity that has exposed me to a wealth of new knowledge and skills and a network of truly remarkable people that will certainly enhance my effectiveness in my organisation to the benefit of my country, my region and indeed the world.’Yvonne Alexander, Dominica, Chevening Fellow, 2009
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STAGE 3: THE INTERVIEW
A small number of candidates will be invited by the British Embassy to attend
a short interview. During the interview, the level of their spoken English will
be informally assessed.
STAGE 4: THE SELECTION PANEL IN LONDON
The papers of a small number of candidates will then be passed to London and
assessed by an independent selection panel. The membership of the panel will
typically consist of officials from the FCO and other government departments,
a representative from the university (often the course director/leading
academic) and a representative from the British Council with experience
in training and professional development. The selection panel makes its
decision on the basis of the application form and recommendations from
British Missions. There is no need for candidates to travel to London
to attend the selection panel.
STAGE 5: NOTIFICATION
Successful candidates will be notified by the British Council/British Mission
between August and early October. A small number of reserve candidates
will also be identified and may be offered a place (sometimes at short notice)
in the event of a successful candidate being unable to take up the offer
of a Fellowship.
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‘The opportunity to engage in one of the biggest global challenges facing us today,namely climate change, with peers from around the world, in a world-leading institutionsuch as Cambridge, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The discussion and debate that we encourage the Fellows to have during their time with us is stimulating not only forthem as participants but also for us as organisers and the contributors to the programme. We look forward to next year’s programme.’Dr Aled Jones, Deputy Director, University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership
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THE FELLOWSHIP OFFER Overall, the Fellowship offer is generous and the FCO will provide or pay
for the following:
� economy class travel costs to and from the UK
� visa fees
� all course fees
� travel insurance
� accommodation (single study bedroom)
� a package of allowances.
If you are successful the British Council will contact you and help you make
arrangements for your travel to the UK. They will also give you access to
the members only area of www.chevening.com, which has full details of your
Fellowship, including travel arrangements, the course programme,
accommodation and allowances.
COURSE CONTENTFurther details of each course are available on www.chevening.com/fellowships.
Please study the course outlines carefully to ensure that you apply for the
most appropriate course. Chevening Fellowships are designed as development
opportunities for mid-career professionals and provide unique learning and
networking experiences. Courses are usually limited to about 14 participants
from a range of countries, backgrounds and experiences. Previous Fellows
have found the courses rigorous, challenging and rewarding.
Each course begins with a welcome programme to help Fellows settle into
their universities and the UK. Thereafter, courses consist of formal lectures
with contributions from leading academics and experts and study visits to
relevant UK organisations and businesses.
Each course includes up to two weeks of placements, as one or two blocks in
the timetable. Some courses include a two-week group placement while others
are organised on an individual basis; in some cases placements take the form
of a series of engagements with practitioners and relevant organisations.
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All placements will require your active contribution. Some placements will not
be tailored to your profession; however, they will always be pertinent to your
Fellowship subject.
Each Fellowship course is very demanding and requires a high degree
of personal commitment. We are therefore very unlikely to accept applications
from people who will be undertaking alternative studies or research at the time
of the Fellowship. We also very strongly advise against any family member
accompanying you during the period of the Fellowship. Experience has shown
that the presence of family members can distract Fellows and even have
a disruptive effect on the rest of the group. If you are considering bringing
a family member to the UK, you must discuss this with the Chevening officer
at the British Council or the British Mission at least two months before your
departure. If you decide to bring a family member, we will not assist with
any arrangements or payments such as booking flights, obtaining visas,
insurance and airport transfers in the UK. In addition, family members may
not share Fellows’ university supplied accommodation nor may they
accompany Fellows on study visits.
AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP COURSE ENDSIn an interdependent world it is of crucial importance that countries build
and maintain strong and meaningful international relations. The aim of the
Fellowship scheme is to make links with new generations of leaders and other
influential people across the globe and to promote an affinity and greater
understanding of the UK’s cultures and values. Our hope is that during their
time in the UK, Fellows will develop an appreciation of UK policies and
approaches in their fields of study and bear these in mind when contributing
to developments in their own countries. We ask Fellows, as alumni, to maintain
contact with our British Missions when they return home at the end of their
Fellowship. To help them, Fellows have access to the members only section
of www.chevening.com, which promotes networking and policy exchanges.
We hope that those with an interest in becoming a Chevening Fellow
will have found this brief introduction helpful. If you have any questions.
please check the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website –
www.chevening.com/fellowships – or speak to the Chevening officer
at the British Council or British Mission. We look forward to welcoming
successful candidates to the UK in January 2010.
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‘The last 12 weeks were excellent and have immensely contributedtowards enhancing my skills and competencies both in terms ofpersonal as well as professional development. I have a hands-onapproach about UK public sector institutions and would transferthe best practices learnt to be replicated at the policy-makinglevel. I am motivated to make a difference as per UK key learningsin the public sector and adding value to our services back home.’Yasmin Yusuf, Pakistan, Chevening Fellow, 2009
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‘The 2009 Chevening European Political Economy programme wasa particularly gratifying experience, in great measure because ofthe striking breadth of experience of the Fellows – ranging fromcentral bank economists to e-journalists, coming from core EU newmember states, new member states from the Eastern Balkans andcandidate countries from the Western Balkans. I believe that in ourSussex seminars, our London and Brussels meetings, our projectplacements, and, above all, in our alumnus conference, we gave the Fellows platforms where they could debate and interact onsome of the key policy issues of Europe today.’Dr David Dyker, Course Co-ordinator, University of Sussex
‘As a police officer, the knowledge acquired will assist me to improve policing in my home country.’Stanley Kilonzi, Kenya, Chevening Fellow, 2009
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THE FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE
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Application
forms for the
2010 Fellowship
scheme will be
available from
British Missions
overseas
Closing date for applications. Please note
that each Fellowship course has a different
closing date. The closing dates will be
announced in June
Selection panels meet in London
(they are paper selection panels and
there is no need for candidates to
travel to London)
Candidates are informed if they
have been successful
Fellows travel
to the UK during
the weekend of
9–10 January
2010
Fellowship courses run in the UK from
11 January to 1 April
British Council offices contact successful candidates and
make arrangements for visas and travel. They also
provide information about the course programme,
accommodation and allowances
June 2009 July August September October November December January 2010 February March
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© British Council 2009 Design Department/Y038/QLT
Printed on recycled paper with vegetable based inks. The laminate on the cover is biodegradable.
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