BAE Systems is helping to give students in Malaysia and Oman the opportunity to study in the UK through its support of the Chevening Scholarship programme.
The programme gives post graduate students the chance to take a Master’s degree at a prestigious UK University before returning home to further their careers.
As part of its support of the programme, BAE Systems welcomes students to its UK sites so they can see first-hand the design and manufacturing processes at the very heart of the business and even fly the Typhoon simulator, one of the aircraft currently under consideration by the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
BAE Systems has sponsored the Malaysian scholarship for the past four years. This year’s support forms part of the UK Government’s ‘Education is Great’ campaign, which was launched in Malaysia at a ceremony attended by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell, the British Council and BAE Systems Asia Managing Director, John Brosnan.
Speaking at the ceremony, John Brosnan said:
“We are proud of our continuing education partnership with Malaysia and in supporting its journey towards successful achievement of its Economic Transformation programme.”
“We are investing in Malaysia’s future leaders in commerce, industry and politics who will be at the forefront of driving the success of Malaysia in the years to come.”
This year, BAE Systems is also supporting the re-launch of the scholarship programme in Oman, which will give four Omani students the opportunity to study for a Masters’ degree in engineering or a related subject in the UK.
The scholarships will give the students the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to become leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers in Oman.
At the signing ceremony in September last year, the British Ambassador to Oman, Jonathan Wilks said:
“I would like to thank BAE Systems for being the pioneer sponsor of this new programme. The UK is committed as a priority to supporting the development of Oman’s biggest asset, its people, particularly in the areas of science, engineering and technology.”
Matthew Foster, BAE Systems Oman General Manager, said:
“We are delighted to have been instrumental in the re-launch of the Chevening Scholarship programme in Oman, particularly as BAE Systems has a strong record of supporting science and engineering education around the world.”
In addition to the Chevening scholarship programme, in Malaysia BAE Systems is also developing a graduate scheme for up to 72 students which will lead to an MSc course in Cyber Security Management in partnership with the country’s National Defence University. Further initiatives include a schools outreach programme and a cyber-graduate security programme. In October last year BAE Systems participated in the Kuala Lumpur Engineering and Science Fair which was attended by 75,000 young people with an exhibition featuring interactive games and technology.
About Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Scholarships are an important element in United Kingdom’s public diplomacy effort and bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK.
Chevening Scholarships operate in over 160 countries worldwide and over 600 scholarships were awarded in 2014/2015. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree across a wide range of subject areas at any of the UK’s leading universities.
Chevening Scholarships are for talented individuals who have been identified as potential future leaders across a wide range of fields; including politics, business, the media, science and engineering, civil society, religion, and academia. The Chevening programme began in 1983 and there are over 44,000 Chevening Alumni who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.