British High Commissioner to T&T, Harriet Cross, is determined to make the coveted Chevening scholarship more accessible to those living in rural parts of the country. Chevening is the United Kingdom government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders since 1983.
On Wednesday, the British High Commission in this country announced Sache Alexander-George and Jessel Crispin Brizan as this year’s recipients. In an interview with Guardian Media at her residence last Thursday, High Commissioner Cross re-emphasised she wants the scholarship to be accessed by those that need it the most.
“I came from a background that was a very modest family. I didn’t have rich parents and I didn’t go to a fancy university myself. So I also want people to understand that because you don’t come from a rich background, you might come from a deprived area of Trinidad or you might come from somewhere where TV cameras don’t come, but if you have the academic ability, you are equally eligible to apply for a Chevening scholarship as anybody else,” Cross said.
Her aim with the Chevening scholarship in T&T is to dispense the notion that “people in big cities have a bit more privilege.” This, she said, is in part because they have more access to services and the opportunity for networking is greater.
“I want to be the person, either online or on the screen, who is saying to people in the rural communities or deprived communities in big cities if you’ve got the ability to do a Master’s degree and a UK university wants you, you are just as important as anybody else,” Cross reiterated.
For those who feel they may make a good candidate but are hesitant, the High Commissioner encouraged them to reach out to the embassy through its social media platforms and have a conversation with her team who will be able to guide them. From mid-September through to November, the application process will take place for the 2024 academic year. Those applying need to have an undergraduate degree along with a minimum of two years of work experience. There is no age limit to a Chevening scholarship but applicants must be able to explain why they want to pursue the desired field and what change it can bring to the country.
Minister of Social Development and Family Services and Senator, Donna Cox, was a Chevening scholarship recipient in 1997 while Hayden Romano, who is the Managing Director of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) was a Chevening scholar in 1987.
Alexander-George and Brizan will now follow in their footsteps.
Alexander-George will commence studies at Loughborough University, in October this year, where she will pursue an MSc in Digital Entrepreneurship. Brizan will study at the University of Westminster, where he will pursue a Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion Business Management starting in September.
Brizan’s landing of this scholarship in the field of fashion business affirms the High Commission’s efforts to give even non-traditional studies an opportunity. But he admitted he was hesitant in applying for the scholarship in a field rarely known to be selected.
Brizan told Guardian Media, “Historically when you look at Chevening, the scholarships have slanted towards public service, social welfare, civil service, politics and the sciences. That was a concern of mine. The interviewers assured me that Chevening is for all different fields.”
Brizan wants to use this MA in Fashion Business Management to help educate the public better about his field while helping small businesses to foster growth and development.
Meanwhile, Alexander-George said she wants to return home after her MA to help entrepreneurs empower other entrepreneurs and digital professionals who work with small businesses.
“The statistics have shown we have a lot of entrepreneurs that are trying to build up in communities and we really need the support,” she explained.
This year, Chevening is celebrating 40 years.
