02 September 2015
Muscat - BAE Systems, the global defence, security and aerospace company, has shown its commitment to advancing higher education with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Embassy in Oman to sponsor The Chevening/BAE Systems Oman Scholarships.

The MoU was signed this morning in Muscat by the British Ambassador to Oman, His Excellency Jonathan Wilks, and Matthew Foster, General Manager, BAE Systems Oman LLC.

The Chevening Scholarship programme is the United Kingdom Government's global scholarship scheme which gives future leaders from across the globe the opportunity to undertake a one year Master's degree in a number of subjects at a university in the UK.

His Excellency Jonathan Wilks, British Ambassador to Oman comments, "I'm delighted to announce the return of the Chevening Scholarships Programme to Oman after a four year absence. I would like to thank BAE Systems for being the pioneer sponsor of this new programme. The UK is committed as a priority to supporting the development of Oman's biggest asset, its people, particularly in the areas of science, engineering and technology. Oman is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Renaissance this year and I am confident that initiatives like this will help Oman build on its amazing progress in recent decades."
 
BAE Systems' support to the Chevening Scholarship programme will give four Omani students the opportunity to study for a Masters' degree in engineering or a related subject in the UK.  Previous Omani Chevening Scholars have gone on to become leaders in their field across Government and industry in Oman.  Scholars from this cohort will have the opportunity to develop their capabilities and expand on their experience in tandem with the growing demand for skillsets and innovative thinking required in today's economy.

Matthew Foster, BAE Systems Oman General Manager, said: "We are delighted to have been instrumental in the re-launch of the Chevening Scholarship programme in Oman, particularly as BAE Systems has a strong record of supporting science and engineering education around the world, including supporting Chevening Scholarships in Malaysia for the past four years. The Chevening/BAE Systems Oman Scholarships will give the students the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to become leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers in Oman.

"By sponsoring Chevening Scholarships, we are building on our strategy of ensuring that Oman's future leaders have the right skills and experience to take the country to the next level.  Our education strategy supports this from schools, by inspiring young Omanis to consider studying science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM), through to Master's degrees and beyond."

To apply for a Chevening/BAE Systems Oman Scholarship applications must be submitted online by 3 November 2015.  For further information and to submit an application, please visit www.chevening.org/apply.

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About BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and employ a skilled workforce of some 84,100 people in over 40 countries.  Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

About Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Scholarships are an important element in United Kingdom's public diplomacy effort and bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK. 
 
Chevening Scholarships operate in over 160 countries worldwide and over 600 scholarships were awarded in 2014/2015. Awards are typically for a one-year Master's degree across a wide range of subject areas at any of the UK's leading universities. 
 
Chevening Scholarships are for talented individuals who have been identified as potential future leaders across a wide range of fields; including politics, business, the media, science and engineering, civil society, religion, and academia. The Chevening programme began in 1983 and there are over 44,000 Chevening Alumni who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.
For enquiries on Chevening, please contact Alawi Kabariti of the British Embassy Muscat on +968 2460 9129 or alawi.kabariti@fco.gov.uk

For more information, please contact:
Louise Robson, BAE Systems
Mob: +44 7525 390707
louise.robson@baesystems.com

Sonia Sharma, Grayling
Mob: +968 9727 1781
Sonia.sharma@grayling.com

© Press Release 2015