Filipinos get foreign scholarships

Some 75 Filipinos are studying abroad this year as scholars of foreign governments, taking up specialized, advanced courses in some of the world’s best universities.

The European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan are sponsoring the studies of the carefully selected Filipino grantees, giving them full scholarships for graduate and postgraduate programs in their chosen areas of study.

The United Kingdom funded one-year scholarships for 11 young Filipinos from the government and the private sector this year, the British Embassy in Manila said.

The embassy also opened applications for 2014-15 scholarships. Applications may be filed online at www.chevening.org, where details may also be viewed. Deadline for application is Nov. 15.

The United Kingdom’s Chevening scholars were chosen for their excellence in their current fields and their leadership potential. They will attend top universities in areas of study ranging from the law and international relations to the environment and public health.

The British Embassy partnered this year with the University of Cambridge and private groups, including GlaxoSmithKline, Bank of the Philippine Islands, HSBC and Etihad Airways.

Launching the 2014-15 scholarship program, British Ambassador-designate Asif Ahmad said: “The Chevening program provides a unique opportunity for leaders of the future to build a global network of continuing professional significance. It enables talented individuals to establish social, cultural, academic and commercial partnerships with the United Kingdom.

“With 2013 marking the 30th anniversary of the program, we hope that this year’s Chevening Scholarships will continue to attract the very brightest and best.”

The Erasmus Mundus program sent 26 Filipinos for master of arts and doctorate studies in different EU countries.

During the sendoff for the scholars, EU Chargé d’Affaires Lubomir Frebort challenged the students to “become ambassadors of goodwill to help strengthen the friendship and partnership between the EU and the Philippines.”

Erasmus Mundus is a prestigious higher education program enabling students from outside Europe to take up advanced studies in the European Union.

The Japanese government sponsored 38 scholars under its longstanding study program for Filipinos.

This year, 18 students will study under the scholarship’s research category, 12 under the teacher training category, seven under the young leader’s program and one under the Japanese studies category.

Minister Setsuo Ohmori, head of chancery of the Embassy of Japan in Manila, led the predeparture orientation for the scholars at the Japan Information and Cultural Center.

Some 3,000 Filipinos have received the Japanese government scholarship since 1954, the embassy said.