Scholarship / Chevening choice of course - Conflict and Security [2]

essay regarding three programs chosen

My three choices are centred on a degree in peace mediation and diplomacy., successful completion of this programme will place me on the career path of a diplomat. My desire for such knowledge is influenced by the situation in my country fueled with security challenges, ethnic and communal disputes which have produced the infamous Fulani Herdsmen crisis, Bokoharam terror attacks and calls for secession.This programme provides me with a thorough understanding of how such conflicts originate and peaceful means of resolving them. It complements my academic background as a historian; utilizing my knowledge of African societies and their thought patterns. Resolving conflict calls for advocacy , which I have performed as a publicist in the Ministry of Water resources and communications officer for vaccination in rural areas under the World Health Organization. I have chosen the following universities and courses:Peace conflict and diplomacy in London Metropolitan University , Conflict, Governance and International Development at the University of East Anglia and Conflict Displacement and Human Security at the University of East London.

I choose Peace conflict and diplomacy at the London Metropolitan University, to advance my prospects of solving conflict issues in my country through the knowledge such a course offers, enabling me to participate in the various Peace building programmes ongoing in my country such as the UNCHR. Also through its courses on diplomacy I can begin a career in the public sector. My academic background as a historian is a stimulus for my choice as It furthers my understanding of world processes to include the processes of relations between countries making it a suitable course in my future career plan as a peacebuilder.

Conflict Governance and International Development at the University of East Anglia concentrates on the role of governance in conflict processes this is linked to my historical study in emerging Afircan states, and useful for my ambitioin in the public sector . Its course on media and International development is an in-depth view on the use of media for mass mobilisation, as a professional photographer this course will broaden my horizon on ways to utilize media skills for development. Thus East Anglia utilizes my academic background in history and professional experience in the government sector and media industry.

Conflict Displacement and Human Security at the University of East London is a degree centred on the after effects of conflict ; particularly displacement of people this appeals to me because of the prevalence of Internally displaced persons and refugees in my country which now call for emerging specialist in refugee issues. Refugees come from different regions and it is important to know the background of these regions My academic knowledge covers cultural, geographic and migration patterns of the people in my country making me poised for such a task.

Scholarship / Photography and African culture - Chevening Networking Essay review [4]

more organic relationships

Upon completion of my first degree in , I ventured into photography. My vision was to tell stories of African culture through photos and connect these stories with a global audience. Being a graduate of history my pictures reflected national heritage and the effects of violence in my community. Apart from being an avenue to spread peace,I also built it as a commercial outfit. I started by identifying individuals and businesses within my community that required photography services like event planners, bakeries, fashion and beauty industries. Having identified my target market, I made appointments with these business owners and pitched my business to them, within 2 months I had a business list of 87 contacts. , I learnt that networking involves being persistence as many of the contacts were not immediate clients,but gradually I realized that if I made myself valuable to the growth of their business, a better relationship would ensue . I began to offer quality work at discount prices, sometimes, at no cost like in the case of event centres, where hall arrangements images were delivered free for use on social media. Overtime my efforts began to pay off ;event centres began to recommend me to their clients who requested for photographers, this was good for business and simultaneously offered good content to share with the world.

I built another network around colleagues in the industry. By attending events, I availed myself of the expertise the older ones in the business were willing to share with me. For instance, my insistence on having contracts with clients before a job stems from the understanding I received from my mentor Mr Ayodele. In 2018 I held a workshop, the success of which was largely attributed to the guidance of my older colleagues, who provided insights and served as co-tutors. This network currently serves as a source for referrals from those who refer clients to me when their calendars are saturated with jobs.

I maintain my relationships with my contacts/ clients even after assistance and work is rendered, which increases my chances of future work with them. Furthermore, social media helps keep in touch with existing contacts and source for new ones; however, I have found that periodic visits, when possible, voice and video calls, builds a more organic relationship, than when only electronic messages are involved. The click of a button feature ensures that my stories are shared with the world in an instant.

The chevening scholarship will give me a leverage in my intent to reach a much wider audience. Upon completion of my programme, I intend to give back to my country by educating young people on workable approaches towards conflict resolution learnt during study years. Chevening scholars in my home country who are solution driven in areas of societal conflicts will be collaborated with for an extensive impact , furtherer strengthened by the support accessible through continued contact with the international chevening Alumnus. The possibilities are endless!

Scholarship / Conflic resolution, religion - Chevening Leadership essay. [4]

chevening will improve my career prospects

Please your review on my essay will be most appreciated.
Leadership is a living activity, that involves going beyond oneself for the interest of others, thus a leader is one who finds fulfillment in his service to others. I absorbed this concept in roles played as Head tutor and President of my Community service group.

In final year I started a tutorial system that assisted students in my department with courses they were weak at. To be sincere, it started as a study group in my third year made up of close friends but as our grades improved I considered expanding it to include all students in my final year, especially since most found it difficult to cope with courses for the last year. My immediate challenge was getting co-tutors for the Nine courses offered.There were also issues with scheduling, since we had personal obligations. But the more I made them understand the needs of our course mates for extra tutoring the less issues we had. Finally i had been able assembler a team of 5 students and together we devoted our weekends and late hours on weekdays to tutoring. I myself taught European Classics . The departmental tutorials was beneficial to my course mates who now gained more self-confidence in the courses they dreaded. I gained a lot in a humane way; I saw how in helping others I was helping myself get better at assimilating, I learnt to cultivate , patience and understanding when communicating with those I tutored. A unique reward was seeing how my academic strength was helping students move forward in their academics. I had now gained communication skills that became vital during my service.

I served as the President of the Gender and Charity Community service group,with this position I took a stand against antireligious sentiments brewing in my community. Here I drew out an outreach programme in hopes that this would bring Muslims and Christians together and help combat the sentiments in my community, I specifically intended for the target location to be a mosque. Despite being president , I made sure fellow executives were inspired by the thought of such a programme aimed to douse religious tensions. With their support a campaign team was created and together we sourced for funds and appealed to personalities of the community for their presence. The programme was a success, bringing people from diverse religions together in a time when religion is fast becoming a divider.

My leadership roles taught me effective communication skills that have influenced people to do better and I intend to channel it towards the conflict crises situation in my country. The scholarship enhances my prospects of not just calling for peace but leading the charge in conflict resolutions through the leverage a higher degree offers and the wealth of connections and exposure the chevening Community possess.