Above: Matthew Foster with recipients.

Chevening Scholarships are awarded by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and were established in 1983 to nurture talent and foster lasting relationships with important countries such as Oman. The programme was discontinued in 2010, reflecting Oman’s development, but it has been re-established this year as part of the UK’s renewed educational support programme in Oman.

 
The British Ambassador to the Sultanate, Jonathan Wilks, said “I am delighted to re-establish the Chevening Scholarships programme in Oman with the generous help of BAE Systems. Oman’s economy will rely more in the future on the contribution of well-educated young Omanis. I want the UK to be at the forefront of helping Oman to build that future”.
 
Taking its name from Chevening House, the official residence of the British Foreign Secretary located in Kent, England, Chevening Scholarships have benefited over 44,000 individuals from 160 eligible countries and territories over 33 years.
 
“Chevening Scholarships set a gold standard for the UK’s educational support in Oman,” said Wilks. “The programme offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers to develop professionally and academically, experience UK culture and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. I am grateful for BAE Systems support in enabling us to restart this programme in Oman after a long absence and I hope to see more UK companies join in sponsoring Masters Degree scholarships in years to come”.
 
Matt Foster, General Manager of BAE Systems Oman, said “We are delighted to commence our support for Chevening Scholarships and wish our Omani scholars every success with their studies in Britain. As a technology business we are committed to promoting education and careers in technology and engineering in the markets in which we operate.  We have a long history of cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Sultanate, and hope to continue that support for many more years into the future.  Supporting young Omanis, and their education and development, is part of our bond with Oman, and a sign of our support to the development of Oman.”
 
BAE Systems works collaboratively with governments throughout the Gulf, the British Council and local institutions to encourage young people to embrace science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects throughout their education; at School, College, University and beyond.
 
Earlier this year BAE Systems partnered with the Oman Ministry of Education, National Career Guidance Centre (NCGC), to present workshops on STEM at Sultan Qaboos University and the Caledonian College of Engineering. BAE Systems commitment to Omani educational development is also demonstrated through its patronage of the annual EY Student Excellence Awards.
 
In the Middle East, more than 3,200 Chevening Scholarships have been awarded since its inception with an active alumni from Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine.