MikeLigalig.com

The British government has given Chevening Scholarships to three outstanding Filipinos who will pursue further studies at different educational institutions in Britain starting this month.

The Filipino scholars are Ian Norman Dato, Edzyl Josef Magante, and Dave Jesus Devilles.

Dato, formerly an Undersecretary at the Department of Justice is pursuing a Master of Laws Degree in Public International Law at the University College London.

Magante, Court Attorney VI in the legal staff of Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio Morales is taking up a Master of Laws in International Business Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Devilles, Public Relations Specialist at Energy Development Corporation is pursuing further studies in Corporate Communications and Reputation Management at the University of Manchester.

Of the scholarship, Dato said it “empowers qualified individuals to be more engaged in and useful to society. That is what attracted me most to the Programme. I saw how empowered its alumni have become and they, in turn, were able to contribute more to Philippine society.”

For his part, Magante said he aims to use what he would learn “to become an instrument of positive change.”

“I have observed that we can only be one of three types of people: the first type are those who are part of the system and often make it worse; the second type are those who are indifferent about what is happening in our country; and the third type are those who want, and are willing to work for, positive change. I consider myself as belonging to the third type,” he said.

Devilles said a Chevening scholar will enjoy not only knowledge, but honor and goodwill too.

“We are delighted that Filipinos are among the recipients of this year’s Chevening scholarships. These scholarships are highly sought-after, with thousands of applicants from all over the world. The Chevening programme is a wonderful link between the UK and the Philippines and underpins our growing education links,” said British Ambassador Stephen Lillie in a news release.

“UK education is among the world’s best. Its tradition of excellence combined with modern innovation and flexibility makes UK education recognized and respected all over the world.”

The scholarship program has consistently produced graduates who have consequently made exemplary achievements in their careers. Most recently, Chevening alumna Flora May Cerna was bestowed the 2010 Aquino Fellowship for Public Service for encouraging several government organisations to create more transparent and accountable processes as head of the Department of Research and Project Development at the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN).

Chevening Scholarships are granted by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to young individuals in the early stage of their careers who have the potential to become leaders, decision makers, and opinion formers in their chosen field. The scholarships were named after Chevening House in Kent, the UK Foreign Secretary's official country residence.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=32501.0