By Eliza Kukutu
1. Group photo with High Commissioner Paul Turner and three of the four Chevening recipients
Four Solomon Islanders have been awarded Chevening Scholarships, the UK Government’s prestigious scholarship programme.
The four scholars are due to travel to the UK later this month to take up their places at British universities. On Thursday they met with British High Commissioner, His Excellency Paul Turner for a pre-departure briefing.
The Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals who can demonstrate the commitment and skills needed to become future leaders in their field.
The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to pursue a master’s degree at over 150 UK universities.
The programme enables access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.
Since the programme started in 1983, over 60,000 professionals have advanced their careers through Chevening, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing future leaders.
Of all global scholarships, the UK Chevening scholarship still accounts for the greatest number of national leaders and ministers from across the world and indeed the first Chevening scholar from Solomon Islands was Peter Kenilorea Jnr.
The Chevening Alumni is regarded as one of the most influential and highly respected global networks.
At the pre-departure briefing H.E. Paul Turner congratulated the four Solomon Islanders, highlighting the importance of the award and what it represented. He said:
“If you are passionate about driving change locally and globally and have the imagination to inspire and help others, then a Chevening Scholarship could be the perfect opportunity for you. The Chevening programme attracts the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world. Its focus is on supporting the next generation of leaders be that in the field of politics, media, law, science and technology.”
The scholars and their courses are as follows:
(i) Jimmy Vajah, pursuing Master of Science – MSc in Forensic Audit and Accounting at the University of South Wales;
(ii) Jerence Kaomara, pursuing Master of Science – MSc in Environmental Forestry at Bangor University;
(iii) Margaret Adifaka Suifa’asia, pursuing Master of Law – LLM with focus on Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Sussex; and
(iv) Vanessa Erleen Teutao, pursuing Master of Science – MSc in Politics and International Relations at SOAS, University of London.
Applications are open for the 2027-2028 window and prospective candidates can now submit their applications via https://www.chevening.org/apply
Before applying, candidates are strongly encouraged to review the resources available at https://www.chevening.org/resource-hub/guidance/ and assess whether they are ready to present a competitive application or contact the British High Commission.
ENDS//
– British High Commission Solomon Islands
