Chevening calling

Calling achievers to study in the UK is the mantra of this year''s British Chevening Scholarships for 2005 entry to pursue higher studies and short-term professional programmes in educational institutions in the UK.
The manager of scholarships, training and exchanges at British Council Division in the Capital, Rukmini Gopal said: "Chevening is British government''s flagship scholarship programme aimed at future leaders, opinion formers and decision makers who can come back and contribute for the development of India.It''s funded by the Foreign Commonwealth Office and managed by the British Council worldwide. The scholarship programme in India is the second largest, just behind China. Till date, we have supported 1,800 Indian scholars to meet their educational objectives."
The scholarships to pursue higher studies and professional programmes are available in two different categories. "In the first category or scheme A, applicants are provided scholarships to pursue one-year master''s programme at any UK university in subjects like law, human rights, management, finance, accounting, arts and humanities, media studies, science and technology and social science. Under this scheme, applicants are given scholarships on the basis of their admissions in institutions to pursue higher studies in the UK. The short-term programme or scheme B is tailor-made courses of upto three months'' duration for print and broadcast journalists, corporate managers and executives and environmental managers. In this category, selected candidates will go to designated university or institution to pursue their programme," added Gopal.
The programme is open to resident Indians with a valid Indian passport. The age criteria for most programmes is 25 years to 35 years as on November 30, 2004 with a few exceptional programmes where the upper-age limit is upto 40 years and 48 years respectively. The Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees upto 12,000-pound sterling and living expenses. "We don''t provide to and fro international travel fare for any student," remarked Gopal.
The last date for submitting applications is November 30.
www.britishcouncil.org.in/scholarships