Scholarship / Considering my professional experience and future plans, I have chosen the courses as described [3]

UK university/courses question for the Chevening Scholarship

Hi All, I would like to thank you guys for setting up an essay forum as such. This is great help!

Please could you review my answer to the subject question. I admit not much time is left but we could still do some fine tuning :) Many thanks!

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

Considering my professional experience and future plans, I have chosen the courses as described below:

The course MSc International development: Public Policy and Management at University of Manchester is designed to offer comprehensive knowledge of the concepts and skills required to lead in public policy formulation and implementation within a development framework. I have worked closely with the public sector of Pakistan on behalf of international development agencies. Therefore, In the future I intend to create public policies that are indigenized and result oriented. Furthermore, I am looking forward to learn the effective implementation of policies, to bring about a sudden positive change in Pakistan. It was indeed very nice to know that the course proposes to equip students with techniques that are involved in communicating information to a diverse audience, and also builds the capacity of students to convey analysis in the form of easily readable reports. In addition, the MSc offers a variety of optional modules that have great value in terms of public sector reform and management in Pakistan. Topics like E-government, Economic analysis of the public sector and others will surely position me as a leading development advisor or consultant in the country.

MA Governance and Development at the University of Sussex (accredited by IAC/EADI) is for young professionals like me who want to excel in the development sector by creating policies of good governance. The MA program offers to prepare students to critically engage with the main discussions on the factors that determine the quality of governance in developing countries. Also, I trust the course to build my capacity to develop appropriate policy options for improving the governance system in Pakistan under particular settings. Furthermore, the program has a distinct feature of policy and practice, which draws upon case studies from six different regions of the world and also includes collaborating with international development practitioners from diverse backgrounds. I am also very pleased to know that the program includes optional modules that propose to teach impact evaluation. This is extremely important in the context of developing countries, where accountability is low. Overall, the course has a huge potential to set me in motion for a leading role pertaining to governance reforms and development in Pakistan.

My third university course MSc Management at the University of Edinburgh would keep career options open for me. The program offers general knowledge framework and understanding of key functions of management and also in-depth knowledge of specific areas. I am also highly attracted to the student development services of the university that includes guest speaker sessions by renowned business experts. The opportunity to connect with the network of leading business professionals would also expand my career prospects. As per my work experience, I can say that Pakistan is becoming a popular destination for management consultancies. These firms offer highly rewarding careers. Therefore, the MSc degree would enable me to function for such companies in the capacity of senior management advisor or consultant.

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Scholarship / I've developed professional links with senior civil servants, technical specialists and politicians [4]

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community and influence ...

During my enthusing career I have developed professional links with senior civil servants, technical specialists and political party leaders. Some of them are Chevening scholars as well. After the completion of my award I wish to utilize the contacts to form a Chevening alumni body for Pakistan.

I would like to mention that there is a great deal of untapped talent in Pakistan. However, in the absence of diversified and specialized degrees the skills and abilities of young Pakistani men and women do not reach full potential. To this end, I wish to launch an active Chevening alumni forum in the country. This forum would comprise of alumni as well as experts from different sectors. Primarily, the platform would make efforts to bring awareness about the scholarship among young bright students/professionals of Pakistan. In addition to the mainstream population, the proposed platform will look to attract potential candidates from the federally administered tribal areas (FATA) of the country. Furthermore, the platform would enable Alumni to provide coaching to the potential leaders/influencers, to increase the latters chances of getting selected for the award.

Secondly, the proposed alumni forum would utilize the modern methods of communication (facebook, twitter, linkedin etc) to establish a linkage between Chevening alumni, scholars and in-service experts that are managing important portfolios in Pakistan. The result of exchange of such information would be great- the future applicants, in addition to other factors, would get help in choosing their programs of study. This would ensure that future scholars are planning their academic degrees as per specific requirements of the country.

For example in my case, a key government counterpart referred me to the Chevening award. He was a senior police officer and a Chevening Alumni. The official as per his area of expertise encouraged me to pursue degrees related to a specific area. Hence, I feel the process of selection of courses was comparatively easier for me.

Moreover, in the presence of such a dedicated alumni body, the quality of applications from Pakistan would boost up. To be honest, I see it as an opportunity of connecting the country's socio-economic problem areas with advanced solutions as taught in UK's recognized institutions. Overall, the implication of such forums is that the image of UK in Pakistan (as a strategic partner) will improve significantly. I have already held fruitful discussions with the relevant cohort. We are therefore very positive about launching the alumni body soon after the completion of my award.

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