The British Council in Bangladesh organised a virtual event titled "Study UK Scholarships 2021: #We Believe in Education" to present a wide range of scholarship offers to key stakeholders on 17 January.

The scholarship programmes include Commonwealth Scholarships, Charles Wallace Professional Visits programme, Hornby Scholarships, Women in Stem Scholarships, and GREAT Scholarships, said a press release.

The event was attended by around 100 representatives from a wide range of organisations, including public and private universities, study abroad counsellors, national and international NGOs, the British High Commission, and the Ministry of Education.

It started with a welcome address by Jessica Magson, director programmes, British Council. She spoke about the British Council's work in Bangladesh over the past 70 years, particularly in education.

Syed Tirtho Mahmood, International Education Services manager, British Council spoke about GREAT Scholarships 2021 – the event's primary focus.

GREAT Scholarships 2021, launched by the Study UK campaign together with 41 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to access world-class UK higher education opportunities, the press release reads.

There are 11 scholarships for Bangladesh this year, and the deadline for each GREAT scholarship will vary by university, applicants are requested to check deadlines with their chosen institution. For more information, please visit https://www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/great-scholarships-bangladesh

Javed Patel, deputy high commissioner to Bangladesh said, "UK universities have a reputation for developing the skills employers are looking for in a candidate."

Deputy Minister, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel discussed the significance of these scholarship programmes in providing access to foreign education to Bangladeshi students despite financial impediments.

He said, "Making foreign education more accessible to Bangladeshi students through these scholarships enhances their flexibility, cultural awareness, and an understanding of how other people work and think, hence improving their chances of future employability."

"Most importantly, a UK degree and work experience are highly valued worldwide," he added.

The event served as a platform for a wide range of education stakeholders to come together to discuss strategies for a collaborative and sustainable future, especially in times like these when face-to-face interaction is limited, the press release added.