Eleven Sierra Leonean Chevening scholars attend Global Orientation in London

On October 18, 2025, eleven Sierra Leonean recipients of the 2025 Chevening Scholarships attended the Chevening Orientation 2025 at London’s ExCeL Centre, alongside hundreds of emerging leaders from all over the world. The Chevening Secretariat, under the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), organised the event, which brought together scholars from more than 160 countries and territories for a day of keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities designed to prepare
Prepare them for a successful year of postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. They are planning a productive year of postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. Grounds was one of many national delegations encouraged to consider how their time in the UK can be used to drive development back home. Participants in sessions on leadership, collaboration, and community impact discussed strategies for applying newly acquired skills, forming international partnerships, and contributing to national development agendas when they returned.
The orientation was described by organisers as a flagship component of the Chevening experience, with the goal of not only providing scholars with practical information about life and study in the UK, but also of cultivating a global network of alumni committed to public service and positive change. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from senior speakers, participate in small-group discussions, and make professional connections that will help them with their studies and future careers.
The eleven Sierra Leoneans embody the Chevening programme’s core values — leadership, collaboration, and a desire to build a better future — and will represent Sierra Leone at a variety of UK universities and disciplines.
Chevening scholars join a community that dates back to 1983 and has long been regarded as one of the UK’s leading international scholarship initiatives. The programme aims to strengthen ties between the UK and partner countries by investing in future leaders who will return home with improved knowledge, skills, and global perspectives.
Throughout the years, numerous Sierra Leoneans have benefited from Chevening support, and the 2025 cohort joins a growing alumni network ready to contribute to national development efforts. Following orientation, the scholars will begin their academic programmes with the dual goals of personal development and long-term contribution to Sierra Leone’s progress.