British Council loses Chevening Scholarship scheme

So my sources tell me anyway – although there’s no sign of it yet on the British Council or FCO sites. The Chevening Scholarship scheme, currently administered by the British Council on behalf of the FCO will in future be administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

I have no information as to why this has happened, whether it was for example because of the general incompetence or corruption of the British Council, or whether it was because of incompetence and corruption in the British Council specifically linked to Chevening scholarships such as blew up a few years ago in Bahrain - perhaps we shall hear.

The British Council describes itself as “The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities”. A rubbish website, a defunct Prime Minister’s Initiative, no status for their accreditation scheme, no support for the ELT sector, and now no scholarships; those “educational opportunities” seem to have worn a bit thin. And that just leaves “cultural relations”. Fortunately for the British Council nobody, including the British Council, knows what they are.

Comments

[Neil Robertson]

Crikey?! Don't tell us "truth has finally triumphed"?! http://www.crikey.com.au/2005/07/14/chevening/

[Neil Robertson]

This FT story might also have had something to do with British Council losing the Chevening contract?

http://blogs.ft.com/westminster/2011/02/how-ambassador-to-libya-aided-general-dynamics-military-deal-2/#axzz1kOPzhWEG

[Neil Robertson]

" Chevening Scholarships are the British Governments flagship scholarships programme, offering fully funded scholarships to hundreds of talented people every year. Chevening Sholarships are funded by the British Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). " Shurely shome mishtake MoneyPenny? (from the FCO website)

[paul]

David

I think that this was always on the cards as the BC moved towards a more shared services focus delivery on its partnerships with other organisations, they wanted to get away from being a service provider for the Chevening & other contracts to pour money into UK Education, English & Exams that would support a high end strategy at Corporate level through a substantial monetary return.

It remains to be seen whether this is sustainable & i'm not sure how this adds value to Britain's cultural impact in the future.

[Neil Robertson]

Confirmation of this story! Only 2 more days to apply! http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4411426/communications-officer-chevening-scholarships-secretariat-association-of-commonwealth-universities-london-uk/

[Neil Robertson]

http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4411504/international-liaison-officers-chevening-scholarships-secretariat-association-of-commonwealth-universities-london-uk/