In a gathering with Afghan Chevening alumni on June 4, the UK International Commonwealth Growth Workplace mentioned halving the variety of locations for Afghan college students to roughly 10, in line with Chevening alumni who attended the assembly.
“It’s 1,000 days for the reason that Taliban banned schooling for girls and ladies in Afghanistan. If Afghans want one factor, it’s schooling. I hoped that the FCDO would double the quota of Chevening scholarships and dedicate them solely to feminine college students,” Chevening alumnus Naimat Zafary instructed The PIE Information.
Based on Zafary, the FCDO proposed lowering subsequent yr’s cohort by 50% on account of budgeting points and the lack to search out the precise candidate, though the federal government has not confirmed the modifications.
Chevening is a extremely wanted authorities program that provides totally funded scholarships to worldwide college students to pursue a grasp’s diploma within the UK. Roughly 20-25 Afghan college students are granted scholarships yearly.
Final yr, the UK authorities reopened Chevening scholarships for Afghan nationals, however mentioned that solely college students residing exterior of Afghanistan could be eligible to use, because of the “safety dangers, and monetary and logistical implications” of opening functions to potential college students residing in Afghanistan.
Based on the FCDO, this resolution is being stored beneath evaluate for the tutorial yr 2024/25.
If the scholarships are halved, will probably be a tragedy
Naimat Zafary, Chevening alumnus
Zafary, an Afghan Chevening scholar who got here to the UK because the Taliban took management of Kabul in 2021, has written a letter to Dr. Emma Hennessey, head of scholarships on the FCDO, in regards to the “deeply dismaying information”.
He has urged the FCDO to contemplate the implications of the transfer for “these gifted potential students pushed to 3rd nations by no fault of their very own, and sometimes partly as a result of they’re dedicated to the very values of schooling, equality and improvement that Chevening represents.”
Based on Zafary, the ultimate variety of scholarships awarded might be revealed on the finish of June when affirmation letters are despatched from the FCDO to candidates.
“I actually hope this quantity is fallacious. If the scholarships are halved, will probably be a tragedy,” Zafary instructed The PIE.
“Very a lot hope this resolution might be reviewed,” Ruth Arnold, government director of Research Group, posted on X.
“It sends the fallacious sign to Afghan students in [Afghanistan] and pushed into third nations, and to the present rulers.”
Zafary was significantly involved in regards to the affect of the modifications on feminine Afghan college students who haven’t any entry to schooling in Afghanistan beneath the Taliban.
A PhD scholar in worldwide improvement on the College of Sussex, Zafary mentioned that he “may see a vibrant future” after coming to the UK as a Chevening scholar.
His daughter, a yr seven scholar at college within the UK, is benefitting from an schooling that her cousins in Afghanistan can not entry.
“It’s not solely increased schooling that Chevening Scholarships present, but additionally a life after schooling for myself and my household,” mentioned Zafary.
The PIE reached out to the FCDO however has not obtained a reply on the time of writing.
