As part of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation’s broader strategy for the enhancement of young people’s access to education, its collaboration with the British Government for re-launching the Chevening Scholarship Programme in Greece was announced in September 2018. Through the programme, two scholarships were granted for postgraduate studies in UK universities for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The Chevening Scholarships are the British Government’s International Scholarship programme, funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and collaborating institutions, and they are awarded to candidates with leadership skills and a compelling academic background, responsibility and the capacity to bring about changes through shaping public opinion. The public call for the 2019-2020 academic year involved the full funding of postgraduate studies in the fields of Social Policy, Public Administration, International Development and Political Science. Priority was given to applications for courses related to Civil Society and Management of Non-Profit Organisations.

The two candidates who stood out, both due to their high academic performances as well as their well-rounded personalities, were Anastasia Benekou in the field of Management, and Mochament Elsaer in the field of International Relations. In the 2019-2020 academic year, Anastasia and Mochament will attend the postgraduate course “The Kent MBA” at the University of Kent and “MA War Studies” at King’s College London, respectively, with the aim of imparting the knowledge and the experience they gained in the UK in their sector of specialisation in Greece.

• For the 2019-2020 academic year, 1,735 Chevening scholarships were awarded to students from 140 countries, who will attend postgraduate courses in 177 Universities in UK.
• The more than 50,000 Chevening alumni around the world constitute an established social network with significant global influence.
• During the Programme’s 1st cycle in Greece, which was implemented from 1984 to 2002, 112 Chevening scholarships were awarded.

“The Chevening scholarship, in collaboration with the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, provided me with the opportunity to study in one of UK’s best universities. By covering my tuition fees and living expenses it allows me to really focus solely on my studies and my career development. Apart from that, it gives me the opportunity to create a wide network of professionals from around the world, to learn from them and work with them on how we could contribute to the creation of a better future for our countries. I really feel very fortunate and grateful to have been given this opportunity, which from the very beginning seems like an experience that can change one’s life.”

Anastasia Benekou

The Kent MBA, University of Kent

Canterbury, United Kingdom

“The Chevening scholarship is a major milestone in my career. As a Greek scholar of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, I am given the opportunity to study in the distinguished department of War Studies in London. I recently attended the acclaimed “Chevening Orientation” event, where I met young leaders from around the world and senior staff from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. Undoubtedly, the Chevening Scholarship has contributed decisively to my academic and professional development.”

Mochament Elsaer

MA in War Studies, King's College London

London, United Kingdom