ISLAMABAD: The British Chevening Scholarship Programme offered by the British government is one of the most prestigious foreign scholarship programmes currently in operation in Pakistan. As far as I can remember, it has been in existence for more than a decade. Unfortunately, this year, certain changes have taken place with regard to application procedures, which has made it very tough for most Pakistani students, particularly those from underdeveloped regions, to apply. I wish to draw the attention of the honourable British foreign secretary towards these changes.
From this year, all applicants are required to take an English language proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS), whether or not they are shortlisted or selected for the scholarship. Previously, only the shortlisted candidates were required to take this test. These tests are quite expensive and to require them from every applicant even before they are shortlisted is an extreme condition, especially if the applicant belongs to a lower-income background.
Secondly, from this year, the candidates are required to seek admission to British universities on their own. Previously, this was done by the scholarship selection board itself and only when the candidates were shortlisted. British universities charge quite a handsome amount for processing applications. As candidates are required to seek admission to three universities, poorer students will have to spend a very steep sum to even be eligible for applying for the scholarship. I request the honourable British foreign secretary to relax the two conditions of taking the English proficiency test and seeking admission to three universities on one’s own, even before applying to the scholarship.
It would enable a large number of deserving youngsters from underprivileged areas of Pakistan to pursue higher studies in the UK.
Syed Saad Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2012.
