Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5209/-1/140/
|
Anguillian Gets Prestigious Scholarship
|
Well-known Anguillian Senior Social Worker, Clive (Frankie) Smith, is the proud winner of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship which will enable him to study for a Master of Science degree in Social Development at the University of Wales in Swansea. He left Anguilla on Thursday, September 20, to undertake the one year course of studies.
|
|
Governor George presenting documents to Mr. Smith
|
A short presentation ceremony was held at the Governor’s Office on Wednesday morning when Governor Andrew George handed over to Mr. Smith his airline ticket to the United Kingdom and information about his course work.
Among those present at the ceremony were Staff Officer to the Governor, Joe Legg, Permanent Secretary, Public Administration, Arjul Wilson, and Ministry of Social Development representative, Serene Carter-Davis as well as members of the local media.
In announcing the Chevening scholarship award to Mr. Smith, Governor George said the scholarship was provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. “These are very competitive scholarships,” he explained. “There aren’t a great number of them available and I am very pleased that once more we have a student from Anguilla taking up one of these scholarships.”
He said the scholarship in social development was a particularly important area for Anguilla, at the moment, the island seeing so much very rapid economic change. “There is a need for attention to the social infrastructure so that the changes that are happening in society can be addressed. It is a great tribute to Clive and Anguilla that he has been selected for this course. The knowledge that he will pick up doing the course will enable him to make a better contribution to the work of the department and of the Government in Anguilla. Congratulations to Clive and best wishes for his stay in the UK.”
Smith said he wished to put on record his gratitude to the Governor’s Office, the Department of Public Administration, the Government and persons in Anguilla for their encouragement. “I feel very privileged and honoured to have received this scholarship and I hope, by the help of God, to do Anguilla and everyone who invested me in this way real proud. I look forward to coming back to continue to work in social development in Anguilla.”
Mr. Legg explained that 20% of the funding for the course was being met by the university and the other 80% from the Chevening Fund and included a monthly stipend.
Mr. Smith joined the Government of Anguilla in 1986 and worked as a Clerical Officer and Senior Community and Welfare Officer before taking up his current position in 2002. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Andrew’s University in Michigan, USA, and certificates of merit from the University of the West Indies.
Mr. Smith follows in the illustrious steps of other Anguillian recipients of this prestigious award, including Karim Hodge, Nigel Connor and Rawle Hazell.
His Excellency has put on record his appreciation for the work undertaken by the Public Administration Department in processing the applications in conjunction with staff at the Governor’s Office.
Chevening House is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In 1994 Douglas Hurd, the then Foreign Secretary, renamed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s scholarship and award scheme – ‘The British Chevening Scholarship Programme.’
Competition for Chevening scholarships is intense with only one in 25 applicants being successful. The profile of the successful candidate is usually based along the following lines: proven academic skills, a commitment to return to their country and contribute to the social and economic development of their country through implementing the new skills and knowledge acquired in the UK; a career with a track record of achievement and the prospect of becoming a leader in his/her field; the personal qualities to benefit from the scholarship and to use it to succeed in their chosen career; and a clear idea of how their scholarship will benefit their country on return.