British Ambassador Scott Wightman presented the Chevening Scholarship to some 20 Korean students at his residence on July 16 to help them study for up to one year in the U.K.

“We are sending around 20 scholars to study in the U.K. this year and I know that this new generation of scholars will become outstanding ambassadors for both the U.K. and South Korea,” Wightman said during the event.

The number of Chevening alumni in Korea has reached over 1,100. Many top-level officials, academics and business leaders have graduated from the Chevening program, including officials of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning; Ministry of Strategy and Finance; and Bank of Korea.

The Chevening Scholarship program was launched here in 1983. Worldwide, the number of recipients reached almost 50,000 in more than 150 nations. “We were honored that Dr. Choi Kwang, chairman of the National Pension Service and former Chevening Alumni Association president, attended this 30th anniversary event as the representative for South Korea,” the ambassador said.

“On the same day, it was my great pleasure to present on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, an honorary Commander of the British Empire award to professor Chung Hee-sun, another prominent Chevening alumni.”

During an orientation at the British ambassador’s residence, the recipients of the Chevening scholarship were given instructions, certificates and formal congratulations.

In addition to the chairman of the National Pension Service, Chung Hee-sun, the former director general of the National Forensic Service, is another high-level official who received the scholarship.

The Chevening Scholarship covers flight tickets, tuition and accommodation, and a monthly allowance for up to one year, making it one of the most coveted scholarship programs available for those who pursue higher education in the U.K.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)