International reception for British Council Scholars 
Postgraduate International students studying at Swansea University through two prestigious scholarship programmes have been officially welcomed to the UK at a British Council reception in Cardiff.
Douglas Ngwenya (left) and Jaevion NelsonDouglas Ngwenya and Jaevion Nelson are studying through the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarships Programme.
Douglas is supported by a joint scholarship from the Chevening Programme and Canon Collins Trust. Both scholarship programmes are administered by the British Council.
Both Douglas, from Zimbabwe, and Jaevion, from Jamaica, are studying for an MSc in Social Development and Communication.
'Chevening' is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In 1994 Douglas Hurd, then Foreign Secretary, renamed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Scholarships and Awards Scheme as The British Chevening Scholarships Programme, after Chevening House.
Competition for British Chevening scholarships, which are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is intense and only one in every 25 applicants is successful. Chevening scholars must study in the UK for at least three months and the majority study for postgraduate degrees, particularly Masters courses.
Douglas Ngwenya said: "The reception provided me with an opportunity to meet staff members from my sponsor and interact and share experiences with other students from different parts of the world who are studying at different universities here in the UK."
The Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan, which was established in 1959, aims to provide a network of study opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Although special emphasis is placed on the needs of developing nations, the scheme is intended as a genuine partnership, with opportunities and benefits for all member countries.
At only twenty-three years old, Jaevion has worked as an advocate, journalist, freelance communicator (including creative communications), media specialist, event planner, programmes officer, campaign coordinator and an educator. It is his intention to immerse himself in the Welsh culture and enjoy life at Swansea University. He is a member of the Shoreline Theatre, University Chorale and African-Caribbean Society.
Neil Gaskin, Manager of the International Students Advisory Service at Swansea University, accompanied the students to the welcome event.
Neil said: "The British Council reception was a wonderful way to welcome our new scholars to Wales and to the UK. It also gave them the opportunity to meet other scholars studying in Wales and the South West of England.
"We congratulate our new students on achieveing these prestigious scholarships, which are in high demand, and wish them every success in their studies at Swansea."
For more information about the Chevening Scholarships visit http://www.chevening.com/home/.
And for more information about international students at Swansea University visit the International Student Advisory Service website http://www.swansea.ac.uk/study/current/StudentSupportServices/ISAS/, or the International Students website http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/.