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Outstanding young activist Hugh Evans wins prestigious UK scholarship
Outstanding young activist Hugh Evans wins prestigious UK scholarship
Hugh Evans, a twenty-five year old human rights campaigner, youth leader, and founder of the aid and development agency Oaktree Foundation has been awarded a National Australia Bank-British Chevening Scholarship to complete a Masters of Philosophy in International Relations at Cambridge University.
Funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), National Australia Bank (NAB) and administered by the British Council, the Chevening Scholarships programme offers outstanding graduates and young professionals the opportunity to study at UK universities, covering flights, academic fees and some living expenses for scholars.
“I am delighted to have been given the NAB Chevening Award to pursue further study at Cambridge University”, Hugh Evans said.
“My existing foundation in global understanding, together with formal training in international relations, will provide significant professional development and grounding for future work in this field”.
A worthy recipient of this year’s award, Hugh has already earned the enviable reputation of international humanitarian. He was just 14 years old when he began his humanitarian work, travelling to the Philippines as an ambassador for World Vision.
After completing high school, Hugh became World Vision's inaugural Youth Ambassador travelling to South Africa, where he worked on building projects while caring for a number of orphaned children affected by aids.
Returning to Australia, Hugh founded the Oaktree Foundation. It remains Australia's first youth run aid organisation with a mission to empower young people in the developing world through education in a way that is sustainable.
Whilst studying at Cambridge, Hugh hopes to increase his depth of knowledge in the field and investigate Australia’s potential to lead within the Asia Pacific through provision of innovative solutions to political, security and economic challenges facing the region.
“A Chevening Scholarship is a passport to success at the very highest levels, not just in Australia but in the world. We congratulate Hugh on his achievement and look forward to working with him to strengthen the close relationship between our two countries,” said British Council Director, Christopher Wade.
Chevening Scholarships are offered in over 150 countries and enable talented graduates and young professionals to become familiar with the UK and gain skills which will benefit their countries. The Chevening programme currently provides around 2,300 new scholarships each year for postgraduate studies or research at UK Institutions of Higher Education.
British High Commissioner, The Hon. Helen Liddell, also acknowledged the co-sponsorship involvement and support of National Australia Bank in making the scholarship possible.
“These awards offer a fantastic opportunity to enhance the strong relationships between our two countries.”
"The generous contribution made by National Australia Bank to Australian-UK relations is something we are very proud to be part of. It is thanks to their generous support that we are able to send some of Australia's best and brightest young people to study and experience life in the UK," she said.
'Chevening' is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In the last round (for study in the UK in 2008/09), there were 5 fully funded scholarships awarded in Australia. The British Chevening Scholarships are generously co-sponsored in Australia by the National Australia Bank and Landerer & Company. Hugh Evans is one of two National Australia Bank - British Chevening Scholarship holders this year.
