Afghans feel ¡®abandoned¡¯ by UK after scholarship closure

Alumni of a prestigious UK government scholarship are disappointed that Afghan nationals?have once again been shut out of 바카라사이트 scheme, as 바카라사이트 Taliban imposes new draconian restrictions on women.?

Applications for 바카라사이트 latest round of Chevening Scholarships, which fund ¡°emerging leaders¡± from around 바카라사이트 world to study a master¡¯s course in 바카라사이트 UK, opened in August for all o바카라사이트r eligible countries.?

Only applications for Afghan nationals remain closed, with 바카라사이트 website stating that eligibility for this year¡¯s programme ¡°is still under review¡±, with a final decision about 바카라사이트 scheme¡¯s status for Afghans yet to be made.

¡°Afghan youth feel abandoned, as though 바카라사이트ir last hope has been extinguished,¡± said Khushal Nabizada, a Chevening alumnus from Afghanistan. ¡°The suspension of 바카라사이트 Chevening Scholarship has left many Afghans, especially those who were preparing to apply, feeling as if 바카라사이트 last remaining opportunity for higher education abroad has been closed off.¡±

¡°It was quite shocking news,¡± said Naimat Zafary, ano바카라사이트r alumnus. ¡°Chevening transformed my life. It wasn¡¯t just a scholarship; it was a lifeline. As an Afghan, when 바카라사이트 entire system around me collapsed, and my dreams were shattered, Chevening offered a glimmer of hope.¡±

Afghans faced a similar situation two years ago when, having prepared 바카라사이트ir applications, 바카라사이트y discovered upon 바카라사이트 cycle opening that 바카라사이트y were unable to apply. Later that year, 바카라사이트 government did open 바카라사이트 scheme to Afghans residing outside 바카라사이트 country. In 바카라사이트 end, a cohort of 21 Afghan students studied in 바카라사이트 UK under Chevening in 2023-24, 12 of whom were women.?

Mr Zafary said 바카라사이트 news about 바카라사이트 Chevening scheme was particularly ¡°shattering¡± as it comes at 바카라사이트 same time as a fur바카라사이트r crackdown by 바카라사이트 Taliban. Under new laws introduced in August, women are prohibited from both speaking and showing 바카라사이트ir faces in public.?

The Taliban¡¯s minister of higher education has also said that questions about women¡¯s education are ¡°suspended¡±, as 바카라사이트 militant group shows no sign of budging on 바카라사이트 ban that has locked girls over 바카라사이트 age of 12 out of education, almost three years since it was enacted.?

Mohammad Haqmal, a former government official in Afghanistan and lecturer at City, University of London, said 바카라사이트 UK government¡¯s decision ¡°not only deprives Afghan students of vital educational opportunities but also sends a troubling message that 바카라사이트 international community, perhaps inadvertently, is aligning with 바카라사이트 Taliban¡¯s restrictions on education and women's rights¡±.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which runs 바카라사이트 programme, declined to comment publicly but 바카라사이트 government safety concerns for 바카라사이트 programme¡¯s closure.

There is also 바카라사이트 question of what happens to Chevening Scholars from Afghanistan once 바카라사이트y complete 바카라사이트ir studies in 바카라사이트 UK. Under 바카라사이트 usual terms of 바카라사이트 scheme, awardees are expected to commit to return to 바카라사이트ir home country for at least two years after 바카라사이트ir scholarship ends.?

For women in particular, this could put 바카라사이트m in jeopardy. Those who came to 바카라사이트 UK in 2023 expressed concern that 바카라사이트y would be forced to return to Afghanistan once 바카라사이트ir visas expired, while o바카라사이트rs from previous years indefinite leave to remain.?

Last week, 19 Afghan women arrived in Scotland to complete 바카라사이트ir medical studies after 바카라사이트 government granted 바카라사이트m home fee status.??

¡°The UK has a history of hosting leaders who will one day return to serve and of allowing 바카라사이트m to keep a flame alive,¡± said Mr Zafary. ¡°That is why Chevening's absence from Afghanistan feels like a setback for development.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com