Chevening Scholarships Programme: Photography Exhibition Celebrates UK's History of Educating Global Changemakers

Amongst the leaders featured are the current President of Costa Rica; Botswana's youngest ever government minister; a Sundance and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker; the first female judge in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan; and a winner of the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year award.

The exhibition celebrates the international ties forged through 35 years of the UK Government's Chevening Scholarships programme. 

Chevening was established in 1983 to help identify and develop future world leaders in a variety of fields. Since then, the programme has enabled 50,000 future leaders to transform their careers and their communities.

Louise Thomson, Head of Programme Management, said: 'The spirit of 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world is exemplified through our 35 changemakers.

'From defending human rights, to campaigning for climate justice and countering extremism, those featured in our exhibition are diverse, but there is one thing that unites them: they have made the most of their UK education, and are using it to drive positive change in their home countries.'

Exhibition opening times:
Changemakers is free to attend, and open every day between 14 to 17 March 2019 from 10:00 to 18:00 at Noho Showrooms, 67 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PT.

More information:
For further information, please visit www.chevening.org. A selection of images for press use can be downloaded from our Dropbox. More images are available on request.

Notes to editors:
Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year taught master's degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.

Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide, and more than 1,700 scholarships were awarded in 2018/2019. This academic year, Chevening celebrates its 35^th anniversary and there are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

The exhibition is part of a programme of events and campaigns to celebrate Chevening's 35^th anniversary.

The name 'Chevening' comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the UK's Foreign Secretary.

More information is available at www.chevening.org

Featured portraits

Abia Akram, Pakistan
Chairperson, National Forum of Women with Disabilities (Pakistan); Director Projects, STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program)
MA Gender and International Development at the University of Warwick (2011)

Abia has been instrumental in leading the disability youth and women's movement in Pakistan and the Asia Pacific region more widely.

Amna Zamir Khan, Pakistan
Additional District and Sessions Judge in Gilgit-Baltistan Judiciary
LLM Human Rights at the University of Leicester (2009)

Amna Zamir is the first female judge of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. As one of only a few female judges in Pakistan, she works to make the judicial system more approachable for women who might feel intimidated by a male-dominated judiciary.

Anjal Niraula, Nepal
General manager of Gham Power
MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh (2014)

Anjal is an off-grid solar power expert focused on addressing Nepal's energy access problem. So far, Gham Power has installed 2.5mw of solar micro-grids across more than 2,000 projects in Nepal, helping to provide a reliable energy source to those who need it.

Archil Bakuradze, Georgia
Financier and technology entrepreneur
MSc Business Administration at Lancaster University (2003)

Archil is a financier and technology entrepreneur who believes that responsible business can empower humans and improve societies.

Baby Ruth Quinones Villarama, Philippines
Filmmaker
Ma Film Distribution and Marketing, Birmingham City University (2015)

Baby Ruth is an award-winning filmmaker from the Philippines. Her films are generating national conversations and raising international awareness of modern-day issues such as human-trafficking and slavery.

Bogolo Kenewendo, Botswana
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry
MSc International Economics at the University of Sussex (2012)

Appointed at age 30, she became the youngest minister in Botswana's history.

Carlos Andrés Alvarado Quesada, Costa Rica
President of Costa Rica
MA Development Studies, University of Sussex (2008)

In May 2018, at the age of 38, Alvarado was elected as the 48^th President of Costa Rica in a landslide victory, making him the country's youngest president since 1916. His campaign was largely fought around issues of LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage.

Christian Achaleke, Cameroon
Peacebuilding and counter-extremism expert
MSc International Development at the University of Birmingham (2016)

Achaleke was himself a victim of radicalisation in his youth, and was named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year in 2016.

Dr Heesun Chung, South Korea
Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University
Postdoctoral fellowship in Neuropharmacology and Forensic Science, Kings College, London (1990)

Heesun is a leading forensics expert and academic who was awarded a CBE in 2014 in recognition of her long-standing efforts to strengthen UK-Korea relations, particularly in the fields of science and education.

Fatuma Abdulkadir Adan, Kenya
Founder and Executive Director, Horn of Africa Development Initiative (HODI)
Chevening Fellowship: Shariah and Governance, Birmingham University (2006)

HODI is a non-governmental organisation which uses football to bring divided communities together and promote the rights of women and girls in rural Kenya.

Gosia Pearson, Poland
Assistant to the Director-General at the European Commission
PhD Research International Relations at the University of Oxford (2005)

Gosia was recently responsible for organising the EU's participation in the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, where she represented the EU.

Helen Anderson, New Zealand
Professional director of various companies
Visiting scholar at the Centre for Women Leaders at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge (2002)

Helen is the professional director of various companies, including Scion, BRANZ, Institute of Directors, Massey University, Antarctica New Zealand, NIWA, ClearPointGroup, and DairyNZ.

Herbert Wigwe, Nigeria
CEO and Group managing director, Access Bank
MA Banking and Finance at University College of North Wales (now Bangor University) (1990)

As one of Nigeria's foremost corporate bankers, Herbert has helped develop some of Africa's most formidable companies in the construction, telecommunications, energy, oil, and gas sectors.

Husam Zomlot, Palestine
Head of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom
MSc, Development Studies, LSE (2000)

Husam is a leading advocate for Middle East peace process.

James Fletcher, Saint Lucia
Owner of SOLORICON
DPhil in Crop Physiology at the University of Cambridge (1988-1990)

James played a pivotal role in the adoption of the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change in December 2015, serving as one of the chief high-level negotiators for the Caribbean and the Association of Small Island States in international climate change negotiations.

Jerome Cowans, Jamaica
Jamaica House Fellow for the Office of the Prime Minister – Jamaica
MSc Management: Operations, University of Birmingham (2015)

Jerome has been helping adolescents from an early age through LEAD – the association he founded for teen development.

Juan Pablo Larenas, Chile
Co-founder and Executive Director, Sistema B Internacional
MSc Development Management, London School of Economics (2008)

Sistema B is an international organisation that aims to strengthen companies that use the power of the market to solve social and environmental problems. Juan Pablo was named as a 2018 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Juliano Froehner, Brazil
Social entrepreneur; Founder, TNH Health
LLM International Economic Law, University of Warwick (1999)

Juliano's start-up projects have garnered a number of prestigious awards, including from the Google Impact Challenge, and the Grand Challenge Canada / Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Kartini Ariffin, Malaysia
Director of Dbilique Media
MA Broadcast Journalism, Goldsmiths College, University of London (2006)

Kartini is a journalist, producer, and professional speaker with more than 15 years' experience in the media industry. For ten years, Kartini hosted 3R (Respek, Relaks, Respon), a Malaysian TV show that aimed to uplift and empower young women.

Khongorzul (Zola) Amarsanaa, Mongolia
Co-Founder and Chairperson, Beautiful Hearts Against Sexual Violence
MSc Social Research Methods, University of Sussex (2015)

Zola is a qualified psychologist who has dedicated her life to eliminating violence against women and children in Mongolia, especially child sexual abuse.

Pyone Thet Thet Kyaw, Myanmar
Founder and lead designer, Virya Myanmar
MSc International Development, University of Birmingham (2011)

Pyone worked in garment factories from a young age, witnessing the exploitative labour conditions faced by young, female, employees, She developed Virya Myanmar, a social enterprise which provides safe working conditions and training opportunities for its female employees, who mainly come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Maya Terro, Lebanon
Social activist; Co-founder and Executive Director at FoodBlessed
MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development, SOAS School of Oriental & African Studies (2016)

Food activist Maya's mission is to make a difference to hunger-relief, creating the NGO FoodBlessed.

Mercy Nachalwe Chipampe, Zambia
Principal Radiographer, Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka
MSc Diagnostic Radiography, Cardiff University (2009)

Mercy is a leading expert in radiography and mammography, who is making innovative strides in early cancer detection and treatment in Zambia.

Milan Antonijevic, Serbia
Human Rights advocate; Executive Director – Open Society Foundation Serbia
Fellowship Using Democracy for Peace, University of Bradford (2009)

Milan Antonijevic is a prominent human-rights defender and, since 2010, the Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights, YUCOM, in Belgrade.

Nagi El Dahdah, Lebanon
Investigating Criminal Judge, Ministry of Lebanon
Fellowship course in Implementing Human Rights Conventions, University of Nottingham (2010)

Nagi is the Investigating Criminal Judge in north Lebanon. His way of ruling complies with implementing human rights, creating history for certain communities in a country with strong laws and beliefs.

Noor Huda Ismail, Indonesia
Founder, Institute of International Peace Building
MLitt International Security, St Andrews University (2005)

Noor is a peacebuilder, writer, and filmmaker specialising in de-radicalisation and counter-terrorism. Through research, arts, and civil society initiatives, Noor is developing the means to reform former terrorists and reincorporate them back into mainstream Indonesian society.

Panut Hadisiswoyo, Indonesia
Founding Director, Orangutan Information Centre
MA Communication studies, University of Leeds (2003)

Panut has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards recognising 20 years of pioneering work in conservation, including National Geographic's Emerging Explorer Award, the World Wildlife Fund's Russell E. Train Education for Nature Award, and the UN GRASP's Ian Redmond Conservation Award.

Rajab Mohandis, South Sudan
Executive Director, Organization for Responsive Governance
MA International Development: Politics and Governance, University of Manchester (2013)

Rajab has dedicated his career to the promotion of democracy, education, and good governance in South Sudan, working for a number of national and international civil society organisations.

Sandra Guzmán, Mexico
Founder and Coordinator, The Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean
MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation, London School of Economics (2012)

Sandra is an environmental protection expert. Through her work with the Climate Finance Group, Sandra is involved in the development of environmental policy and law in Mexico, with a goal of reducing emissions in the energy and transport sectors at a national level.

Saundarya Rajesh, India
Social Entrepreneur, Founder & President for AVTAR Group
Fellowship course in Women in Leadership, University of Bradford (2005)

Saundarya is a respected thought-leader on diversity and inclusion in India. She has been recognised by India's Ministry of Women and Child Development, and has also been listed among the United Nation's 'Women Transforming India'.

Shahira Abdel Shahid, Egypt
Senior Advisor to the Chairman for Investor Protection, Financial Regulatory Authority of Egypt
MSc Finance, Strathclyde University (1989)

Shahira's expertise has successfully steered the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) for the past 20 years. In her role as senior adviser, she has advised seven chairmen on strategies to enhance the leadership position of the EGX in Africa and the Middle East.

Silvia Iliana Ramírez Ramírez, Mexico
Human Capital Director, Software Council of Nuevo Leon
MSc Information Systems, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (1996)

Silvia is a computer scientist, lecturer, and programmer who is passionate about encouraging young people from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue science education.

Sujoy Banerjee, India
Chief Conservator of Forests in the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department
Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (2005) at Bangor University

Sujoy is a distinguished conservationist with the Indian Forest Service known for his wildlife conservation efforts in India.

Dr William Tan, Singapore
MSc Comparative Social Policy, Health and Healthcare, University of Oxford (2003)

William is a doctor, academic and Paralympic medallist. He holds six world marathon records, and has raised more than $18 million for charities worldwide.

Zhao Qi, China
Independent filmmaker (documentary); VR/AR productions
MA Documentary by Practice at Royal Holloway, University of London (2002)

Zhao Qi is a Sundance and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker in Beijing. His works include Last Train Home (2011 Emmy Awards), China Heavy Weight (2012 Golden Horse Award), Fallen City (2013 Sundance nomination) and The Chinese Mayor (2015 Sundance Special Jury Prize).