City’s Office for Global Engagement welcomes international scholars for a reception.

By Eve Lacroix (Senior Communications Officer), Published (Updated )

City, University of London hosted a drinks reception to celebrate international students who had been awarded an external scholarship to study at the University.

The reception was organised by City’s Office for Global Engagement and welcomed 17 scholars. Scholars that attended had been awarded one of three highly competitive scholarships:

  • The prestigious Chevening Scholarship, the UK government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders, which has been running since 1983.
  • The British Council Scholarship for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which is currently supporting five students from South Asia to study at the School of Science and Technology.
  • The British Council’s Warm Welcome scheme, which supports individuals in the UK with links to Afghanistan to access higher education. Three scholars are currently being provided with maintenance support through the programme, while City is waiving their tuition fees.

Also in attendance were Ukrainian students receiving support under City’s partnership with the Ukrainian Global University. Their education had been disrupted or they were unable to start their studies because of the war in Ukraine.

Dr Sionade Robinson, Vice President for Enterprise, Engagement and Employability, hosted the reception and said:

This evening was to congratulate City’s international scholarship holders many of whom have come through highly competitive selection processes before choosing to study at City.

Some have faced great challenges and turmoil and made commitments to return after study to bring the benefits of international education to their home societies.

We're truly delighted to welcome these inspiring scholars as it illustrates City's ability to attract the best students from around the world and that, as the university of business, practice and the professions, we have a global role to play.

Chevening Scholar Farrukh Ibragimov is studying towards an MSc in International Accounting and Finance at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass). Farrukh has experience working as an auditor for EY in his home country of Uzbekistan.

In 2019, Farrukh co-founded the education company Averroes LLC, which provides licensed study materials and courses in the Commonwealth of Independent States region to help accountants study towards their chartered ACCAS accreditation. He said:

My master’s study has not just opened new doors for me, it has opened my mind. I feel that the experience I am getting here is broadening my horizons and helping me become an agent of change.

When I received my scholarship and offer from City, I couldn't even imagine what an amazing journey was waiting for me and how awesome it would be to become a student again in such a diverse and unique city as London.

Kholah Rashid was one of the British Council Women in STEM scholars in attendance at the reception. She is studying towards an MSc in Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management. She said:

It was an honour to meet with culturally diverse and ambitious minds from around the world. This event also celebrated all scholars who have come a long way in achieving their dreams and ambitions – all very important to them and it is moments like these which make us feel proud of ourselves.

Achieving the British Council Women in STEM scholarship felt like my years of hardship finally paid off and I couldn’t believe it until I set foot in London. It was surreal and amazing.

The world is heading towards Net Zero and renewables are a demand of the present. This scholarship has opened up a new skill-set for me through my MSc in Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management. I have a background in chemical engineering and I want to use all these diverse skills in making sustainable, reliable and stable energy choices for any organisation I join.

One day, I hope to bring these skills back to my home country, Pakistan, which is in need of sustainable startups and growth in the energy sector.

Fellow Chevening Scholar Leandro Iturralde is studying towards an MSc in Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics. He has held energy consulting roles for both the government and in the private sector in his home country of Uruguay. He said:

Attending the Scholars Reception was a fantastic experience, reminding me of the remarkable community of talented individuals that not only Chevening, but other scholarships programmes such as the British Council´s for Women in STEM, has brought together at City.

As a master’s student in Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics, I am eager to return to Uruguay and contribute to the energy sector, where I believe there is significant potential for innovation and sustainable development.

Being a Chevening Scholar at City equipped me with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges, but also instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility towards serving my community and making a difference.

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