The British High Commission in Islamabad has announced that nearly 100 Pakistani students have been awarded prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship programme, and the scholarships are a testament to the strong educational ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott highlighted the significance of these scholarships in fostering leadership and innovation among Pakistani students. “The Chevening programme helps develop a new generation of Pakistani leaders and change-makers,” she said. “Many of our alumni have gone on to achieve extraordinary things back home.”
This year’s awards include 46 Chevening and 47 Commonwealth scholarships, bringing the total number of Pakistani alumni from these programmes to over 3,500. The Chevening programme alone has nearly 2,000 alumni in Pakistan, while the Commonwealth programme boasts over 1,500 alumni. These networks regularly convene to address pressing issues and support each other’s professional and personal growth.
The recipients of this year’s scholarships come from diverse regions of Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Pakistan Administered Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the Federal Capital Territory. Notably, over 60% of the Chevening scholars are women, reflecting a strong commitment to gender diversity.
The British High Commission encourages students from all backgrounds to apply for these scholarships. “Not only do scholars benefit from studying at some of the best universities in the world, but they also experience life in the UK, enriching their perspectives and professional expertise,” Marriott added.
Fareeha Gull Hashmi, an Assistant Manager at the Citizens Archive of Pakistan and an upcoming Chevening scholar, expressed her excitement about the opportunity. She will be pursuing an MA in Heritage and Museum Studies at the University of Essex. Hashmi emphasized the importance of the programme for her career goals, stating, “This programme is exactly what I was looking for to help me on my journey to improve heritage and cultural preservation in Pakistan. I can’t wait for my journey to begin.”
The 2024-25 cohort includes diverse fields of study, such as Football Science, with support from Swindon Town Football Club, and Heritage and Museum Studies, with funding from Essex University. New scholarships this year also cover Climate Studies and include support from the University of Essex, highlighting a focus on global challenges and sustainable development.
The British High Commission has also launched “Chevening Connect” in Karachi, a new debate series that brings together industry experts and Chevening alumni to discuss critical topics. The first debate focused on climate change, exploring the technical, economic, and political leadership required to support Pakistan’s climate adaptation and resilience efforts.
For those interested in applying for future scholarships, applications for the Chevening Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year will close on 5 November. Additionally, applications for the South Asia Journalism Programme, a two-month fellowship at the University of Westminster, are open until 10 October. The Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies fellowship, a five-month programme, is accepting applications until 5 November 2024.
Prospective applicants can find more information and apply for the Chevening Scholarships at chevening.org and for Commonwealth Scholarships at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk.
This year’s scholarships reflect a robust commitment to educational exchange and leadership development, continuing a tradition of strengthening ties between the UK and Pakistan through academic excellence.
