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Chevening pre-departure presentation and dinner in Ashgabat

Following an established tradition, a Chevening presentation and dinner was given by Charge d’Affaires Ms Lynne Smith on 8 September 2016.

Dinner at the residence

Chevening pre-departure orientation and dinner

What a great year it’s been for the lucky four Chevening finalists from Turkmenistan. Breaking the annual tradition of sending only two three people to study in the UK under the Embassy’s flagship programme Chevening, the British government is funding the postgraduate studies of four bright and talented students from Turkmenistan this year. Following an established tradition of bringing together former programme participants and newly selected candidates, a Chevening presentation and dinner was given by Charge d’Affaires Ms Lynne Smith on 8 September 2016. This event offered the opportunity to congratulate this year’s scholars Gurbanmuhammet Berdiyev, Maksat Danatarov, Kumush Atayeva and Nargilya Gasanova.

After congratulating each one of the scholarship awardees, the British Chargé d’Affaires Ms Lynne Smith delivered an extensive presentation about student life and the range of opportunities that are awaiting for them in the UK. Presentation of Chevening Scholarship Award certificates to this year’s winners were the main highlight of the evening which was followed by a dinner. Members of the Chevening alumni group from previous years were also invited to the dinner to share their experiences with and give advice to the outgoing scholars.

All four selected candidates will commence their studies in the UK in September and October 2016, becoming the latest scholars from Turkmenistan to benefit from the scholarship programme, which is sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Gurbanmuhammet Berdiyev will undergo a one-year postgraduate course at Durham University, while Maksat Danatarov will be pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Warwick. Kumush Atayeva’s degree course will commence at the University of Greenwich and Nargilya Gasanova will be studying at King’s College London.

The British Embassy in Ashgabat is currently in the process of advertising the Chevening scholarship for the next academic year. We welcome all potential candidates from interested candidates to participate in the programme.

Published 9 September 2016