University grads seek to develop Yemen via their shared experiences [Archives:2007/1109/Reportage]
By:Hamed Thabet
Scores of Yemeni graduates from British universities gathered Dec. 1 at the British ambassador's home in Sana'a to share their experiences in various fields as they seek to contribute to their country's development. Hamed Thabet attended the gathering and talked with them.
Roughly 70 Yemenis having graduated from British universities and now holding high government and non-governmental positions in Yemen discussed creating a network to keep in touch with each other, as well as their alma maters.
The students were recipients of Chevening scholarships to study at the postgraduate level in the U.K., awarded locally by the Sana'a-based British Embassy and the British Council. Some graduated last year, while others graduated several years ago. The group intends to share about their experiences in various fields via a planned network.
According to Edrees Al-Qadasi, information and marketing project manager at the British Council, the council's main aim is building relationships between the U.K. and Yemen. “These graduates gathered here tonight in order to keep in contact and share their experiences. Now that they're back from the U.K., have completed their studies and obtained good and influential posts within the Yemeni government and in other sectors such as NGOs and the private sector, they can use their influence to help others advance their nation.”
He added that the British Council plans to establish a committee to organize the alumni.
At the gathering, the graduates offered specific suggestions about what they want and what they need. The most valuable goal they hoped to achieve was forming a British Alumni Society with the help of both the British Embassy and the British Council.
British Ambassador to Yemen Tim Torlot remarked to those gathered, “Welcome home to this year's returned Chevening graduates, all now back from a year's intensive study in the U.K. and with a very strong record of receiving excellent degrees from excellent universities. Particular congratulations to the two of this year's graduates who achieved distinctions.”
He continued, “The British Embassy and the British Council will support an alumni association, but it's for you to lead and I know you're not short on leadership skills.”
The ambassador pledged his support for the Yemeni graduates, hoping for their help in return. “I've seen how alumni associations in other countries can work, develop and be very useful, as well as enjoyable, for their members. Given the quality of Yemen's Chevening scholars, I have no doubt that you have the ability to establish something as exemplary as you scholars here tonight.”
Sana'a British Council Director Elizabeth White's face displayed obvious happiness at seeing the Yemeni graduates indicate their clear and strong desire to organize a committee for scholarship recipients to remain in regular contact.
She enthused, “I'm really happy to see all the students come back and doing their best to develop their country. I think there's a lot to gain from a network such as this one gathered at the British's ambassador's house tonight. This network and gathering will allow them to share what they learned in Britain and work with each other, so I believe this is a good beginning.”
The director remarked that she's amazed by the hope and realism of Yemeni students, noting that her impression about Yemen is positive. “I've worked in five different countries, interviewing potential scholarship students in all of them. After three years in Yemen and seeing its scholars return with excellent degrees from excellent universities, my first impression of it was correct.”
The scholarship process
White said selecting the scholars is hard for the British Council because there's such strong competition; for example, only 15 to 20 students will be chosen from among 200 applications for this year's program.
“The scholarship covers nearly everything, including tuition, living expenses in Britain – which isn't cheap – and apparel for the British winter,” she noted.
The British Council usually looks for those individuals with a bachelor's degree and who have worked two to three years after graduation. Good knowledge of English also is essential.
White explained further, “We look for those who we think will be important in the future in developing their country. They may be in any field – health, education, human rights, journalism and many others.”
Torlot noted, “This week, we'll begin interviewing those candidates hoping to be next year's Chevening scholars. In looking through the applications and talking with my colleagues, I'm struck by the very high quality of the applications we receive for the scholarship.
“Granted, that's not the case for each and every one, but in general, applicants are young people eager for the chance to study, who are clear about their path to success and confident in their abilities and their prospects, and above all, determined to work for the future of their country.”
Eilidh Hamilton, English director at the British Council in Sana'a, explained, “These individuals go to the U.K. to study and take advantage of the opportunities there in order to help develop their country when they return. Because they are chosen to be the future leaders and greatly impact their society, the British Council and the British Embassy feel the need to provide them with the best opportunities upon their return and that is to maintain their network of contacts.”
She continued, “Most hold high and influential posts, so it's good for them to gather and share their experiences, as well as establish communication and rapport. It's a social support.”
Upon the students' return from the U.K., the British Council keeps in touch with them, but never seeks any promises from or imposes any duties upon them. White noted, “The only thing we tell them is, 'We believe in you because you have an important future in Yemen.' Some don't do this, but most do well and succeed.”
She went on, “Sometimes, those who've lived abroad previously and those who've recently returned need to know each other, so this is brought about by bringing them together in a setting such as tonight's. This involves cooperation between the British Council and the British Embassy, as both work together. The embassy bears the students' expenses while the British Council interviews, selects and prepares them.
“Of course, the program also is to encourage youth to go for further studies,” White noted, “Currently, we send eight to 12 students to the U.K. every year, but we plan to send more.”
Graduates' experiences and suggestions
The Yemeni graduates who studied in the U.K. shared their experiences at the gathering and offered their suggestions. While the gathering certainly sought for the scholars to get to know each other by sharing their backgrounds and what they want to accomplish, the main goal was to bring together their experiences and try to create a better future for Yemen by better developing their specific fields.
“It's difficult to return to Yemen and invest what you've learned, but it's time we talked about these issues,” said Hashem Awnallah, a previous Chevening scholar and now assistant deputy minister for externally funded projects, programming and evaluation at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.
He further suggested, “It would be good if scholars are really interested in their particular field so they can use the time and opportunities in a fruitful way. Additionally, when they return to Yemen, they should think about, be optimistic and benefit from the lessons they learned.
“It would be interesting to know how many have graduated since the beginning of this scholars program, where they are now, what they're doing and what difficulties they're facing,” Awnallah added.
Moreover, he noted, “I applied for the scholarship in 1997, studying at and graduating from the University of Wales College of Medicine. It was an extremely interesting and useful program, so I hope the British Council continues the scholarship.”
Fahmia Al-Fotaih, a research and knowledge management associate at UNDP, commented, “My yearlong scholarship in 2005 and 2006 was in media and communication studies. During that time, I was exposed to many different experiences, on both an educational and a personal and professional level.”
She added, “I'm very glad to meet those here tonight from different communities and who hold various posts. I can see that everyone is so comfortable with each other and about what they're doing for Yemen.”
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