Scholarship / Leadership: the ability to take initiative, bring people together to find solutions and make changes [4]

Hi, this is my essay for the leadership question for Chevening. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE
Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

During my academic career, I led and engaged in numerous international projects, from where I learned that leadership is not about power or personal charisma. Instead, the ability to take initiative, bring people together to find solutions and make changes, and motivate subordinates make a good leader. After having spent a decade in the Higher Education sector, last year, I made a life-changing decision - returning to Malaysia and contributing to my community. As an animal lover, I have long realised that the public awareness of animals' welfare is relatively weak in Malaysia and street animals have never been the priority of the government. In the light of this, I co-founded a not-for-profit rescue group with my brother and friends, aiming to provide a temporary shelter to the strays in our community and spread the spirit of kindness.

Due to limited resources, I had to take on a diverse range of tasks. I was not only responsible for the design of the practice guidelines for the group, but also oversaw the day-to-day activities, liaised with potential adopters, delegated work to volunteers and mediated disagreements between group members. I understood that maintaining an independent rescue group is difficult without partnership, and I believe that only through sustainable collaboration, can long-lasting impacts be made. Therefore, I persuaded a veterinary clinic in the community to provide discounted medical treatments to our rescued animals. Additionally, I built a network on social media and invited other animal lovers from my neighbourhood to provide support in any forms, including space and time. One of the greatest challenges of rescuing work is rehoming and post-adoption follow-up. In order to curb abandonment and ensure the well-being of the adopted animals, my team and I designed a rehoming policy and post-adoption follow-up mechanism, in which involve a rigid background check of potential adopters and post-adoption home visits. These strategies successfully help us prevent impulse adopters. Running an independent rescue group is harsh but I saw positive changes in friends and families and the growing strength of the community. More importantly, it inspired me to reach to new heights - volunteering for (name of the NGO), an INGO supporting and empowering the most marginalised women and girls in Nepal.

Originally as a research volunteer for (name of the NGO), I have recently been offered a secondary leading role within the Livelihood Programme team. Although I am relatively new to the development sector, the leadership skills and professional experience that I have gained over the years have convinced the Country Director to let me be partially responsible for exploring the potential enterprise models and employment opportunities for the target communities. In the next few months, I will be leading a small team to carry out focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Subsequently, I will be directing data analysis and interpretation of baseline and endline surveys. My new role and responsibilities at (name of the NGO) have strengthen my belief that leaders are not born; they are self-made and it takes hard work. (496 words)

Scholarship / A bioarchaeolgist seeking career change (Chevening 'Study in the UK' question) [3]

Hi all, this is my essay for Chevening 'Study in the UK' question, any input is much appreciated, thanks!

Studying in the UK

Outline why you have selected your chosen three university courses, and explain how this relates to your previous academic or professional experience and your plans for the future. Please do not duplicate the information you have entered on the work experience and education section of this form.

Initially trained as a bioarchaeologist, I have a long-held interest in the impacts of socio-political and environmental factors on past human populations. My concerns about human societies have grown after I joined (name of NGO) (SCON) as a research volunteer, which has provided me with a unique insight into the interventions of an INGO on marginalised communities. By pursuing a profession in international development, not only can I continue my academic interests, but also can contribute to my country by empowering women and improving socially disadvantaged communities through public policy development.

Both theoretical and practical components are equally important to expand my current experience and build my future career in the development sector. I, therefore, desire to pursue a Master's course that will further equip me with essential skills and knowledge, specifically the ability to create and manage a self-sustaining institution. The MSc Development Management programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) particularly appeals to me because students will participate in a live group consultancy project for a leading development agency, which involves formulating proposals, negotiating with agencies and conducting client presentations. Additionally, studying this programme will accord me the opportunity to interact and be mentored by Professor Duncan Green, who is currently the Senior Strategic Adviser at Oxfam GB. His courses lead students to explore the analytical frameworks and practical techniques used by international NGOs and develop the understanding of the limitations of deliberate efforts to bring about changes. I believe I will benefit considerably from Professor Green's courses and his work experience in both international aid agencies and the governmental sector.

The MSc Globalisation and Development programme (second option) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and the MA Globalisation, Business and Development programme (third option) at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) attract my attention because they highly align with my current work at SCON, where I am responsible for exploring enterprise models and employment opportunities for the most marginalised communities in Nepal. I am specifically interested in the optional modules 'Understanding Economic Migration' and 'Global Commodity Chains, Production Networks and Informal' at SOAS and 'Business as a Development Actor' and 'Globalisation, Business and Policy' at IDS. These modules not only provide an overview of past and current trends of globalisation, but also scrutinise the policies which are required to integrate developing business in the global economy. By studying these courses, I will be able to assess how the poor majority, especially women, responds to labour changes and whether globalisation is conducive to accelerated development in these communities.

The focuses of the programmes I have chosen are in line with both my personal interests and my future work plans. I believe my practical experience in Nepal will be seamlessly integrated into the programmes by putting practice into critical theory. (471 words)

Scholarship / Proactiveness and interaction are what you need for professional relationship building [3]

Hi all, this is my

Networking essay for Chevening

, any input is appreciated! Thanks!

Networking
Chevening is looking for individuals with strong professional relationship building skills, who will engage with the Chevening community and influence and lead others in their chosen profession. Please explain how you build and maintain relationships in a professional capacity, using clear examples of how you currently do this, and outline how you hope to use these skills in the future.

Although the emergence of social media has changed the way we interact with others, two things remain unchanged when it comes to relationship building - proactiveness and in-person interaction. Furthermore, a successful network should enable you to open up other possibilities no matter where you are in your career.

Thank to my proactiveness I secured my first job as a project assistant soon after my undergraduate studies. During my time as a student at xx University, apart from pursuing academic success, I actively took part in the events at the Department, and this was where I heard about an opening for a government-funded project. So, I took the courage to knock on the door of the professor's office and express my keen interests in the position. After a long interview, I was offered the job. Since then, I started to build my own professional network by interacting with other academic and non-academic staff at departmental and university meetings. Two of the professors from the workplace became my referees supporting my postgraduate applications, and a decade later, due to this networking, my dream of becoming a researcher and lecturer came true after my doctoral studies. In order to expand my academic circle, I gave guest lecturers at other universities, attended conferences and contacted other scholars to seek collaboration opportunities. I managed to build partnership with two research units, in which they provided me with the materials I needed for my research and, in return, I shared my data with them. This experience has taught me that initiative, interaction and desire for excellence are critical building a strong and sustainable relationship.

My professional network in the academia has played a pivotal role in my career change. Without their support, I would not have managed to raise more than £2000 within a month for xx, a UK-based NGO, and myself, and take up a voluntary placement in Nepal. My current responsibilities at xx requires considerable liaison with local stakeholders and beneficiaries. As a Nepali beginner, I never hesitate to engage in the focus group discussions and meetings along with my local colleagues. Presenting myself in front of our partners and beneficiaries is one of the ways to show that I care about the relationship. Moreover, whenever a chance arises, I take the initiative to interact with local governments and other international NGOs because I know that a network will not last long without in-person interaction.

The strong professional relationship building skills I have developed over the years not only will enable me to tied together Chevening experts from different fields, but also open a new window for the future Chevening scholars who plan to pursue a career in international development. Through my networks in the UK, Taiwan and Nepal, they will be able to access to a variety resources, including grant applications, fundraising techniques and strategic partnership building. I am confident that both my past and existing networking will make me a valuable asset to Chevening. (495 words)

Scholarship / Chevening Career Plan - Social Enterprise [2]

Hi all, this is my Career Plan essay for Chevening scholarship. Any input in appreciated, thanks!

Career Plan in the short and long term

Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Please outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals. You may wish to consider how these relate to what the UK government is doing in your country

In 2016, the UK Prosperity Funds provided Malaysia approximately RM4.85 million to strengthen its inclusive and sustainable economy and green technology, which are in line with the Government's 11th Malaysia Plan. While Malaysia is making its way to higher-income country, unfortunately, not all communities benefit from the wealth of the country.

The Malaysia's Millennium Development Goals Report (2015) indicates that the poverty rate (30.4%) of Orang Asli is noticeably higher than the national rates (0.6%). This may be one of the obstacles for the country to achieve high-income nation status by 2024. The United Nations have identified that education and gender are two game-changers for poverty reduction in Malaysia. In the light of this, my immediate post-return plan is to join Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-kanak Malaysia (SUKA Society), a United Nations Malaysia Award receiver in 2015. The reason I choose SUKA Society as my first post-return stop is because their works align with my career objectives - empowering Orang Asli through education. Moreover, the Orang Asli groups they are currently supporting are my target beneficiaries for my long-term plans. Alongside the educational projects of SUKA Society, I will initiate a training and livelihood programme in order to equip the young Orang Asli with essential skills once they complete their education. My experience working with the marginalised communities in Nepal has taught me that only through self-sustainability can disadvantaged groups uplift themselves from an unfavourable economic position. Therefore, I will leverage on the experience, skills and knowledge gained from my master's course and my employment in the development sector in Nepal and to identify potential enterprise models and employment opportunities for young Orang Asli.

In the long term, I will establish a social enterprise - (name of social enterprise), which integrates Orang Asli handicraft skills and the natural resources in Malaysia to manufacture eco-friendly and reusable sanitary pads. These menstruation products will be handmade by Orang Asli women using the organic cotton yarn produced by local farmers, preferably Orang Asli farmers, dedicating to the promotion of menstrual hygiene and sustainable development. It is recorded that a total of 2400 tonnes of menstrual waste is produced every year in Malaysia, yet the government has no recycling solution or waste management to tackle this issue. Therefore, reusable menstruation products may be the best solution to the growing waste problem. While working with SUKA Society, I will participate in the Investment Ready Program 'Encouraging Future Generations' by Allianz and Impact Hub. This is a unique acceleration program, tailored for purpose-driven entrepreneurs aiming to foster social inclusion of children and youth in Brazil, Germany, Malaysia and Turkey, and the winner will receive an award of Euro 40,000. Both my immediate and ultimate career plans of creating a sustainable economy for socially disadvantaged communities in Malaysia not only are in line with the interests of Chevening, but also related to the recent support by the UK government. (477 words)