British Ambassador to Korea Scott Wightman congratulated 23 Koreans as they received the United Kingdom’s Chevening Scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year in a reception at his residence on Wednesday.

Among them, one North Korean settler in South Korea also received the prestigious scholarship that covers post-graduate study, including tuition fees, a monthly stipend and round-trip airfare.

The embassy said that the Chevening program was created to support British foreign policy by creating lasting positive relationships with future leaders. 

The British-Korean relationship was developing very fast, and it was built on people-to-people contacts, like those developed through the scholarship, Wightman said.

Chevening Scholarships operate in 116 countries, and this year will support approximately 700 individuals worldwide. Twenty-three Koreans were selected for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Some 19 of the world’s top-ranking universities are in Britain, but “what we can offer a Chevening scholar is not only a top-notch academic experience, but also a rich cultural experience,” Wightman said.

The embassy said that the scholarship makes up an important part of its public diplomacy efforts by bringing mid-career government officers, professionals and others who have displayed outstanding leadership ability to study in Britain.

The Chevening program began in 1983. Chevening alumni number about 41,000 in 116 countries worldwide and comprise an influential and highly regarded global network. So far around 1,100 Koreans have participated in the scholarship program.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)