Asma Jahangir Scholarship awarded to the top-ranking female Chevening scholar

Islamabad: The 2019 Asma Jahangir Scholarship was awarded today to Hadiya Aziz by the British High Commissioner Thomas Drew.This annual scholarship, which was launched last year, honours the legacy of the late human rights champion Asma Jahangir. Each year the scholarship is awarded to the top-ranking female applicant in the competitive recruitment process.

Presenting the new scholarship, the British High Commissioner Thomas Drew said: “It is an honour to award the Asma Jahangir Scholarship to this year’s top Pakistani female Chevening scholar, Hadiya Aziz. I am delighted that Hadiya has secured a place at the University of Sussex to study Criminal Law and Justice.”

“This scholarship is a tribute to the remarkable work that Asma Jahangir did for the rights of women, children and oppressed people. We hope that the award will help the next generation build on her legacy,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Hadiya Aziz said: “‘I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the British High Commission for bestowing upon me this highly prestigious and overwhelming Award. For me, Asma Jahangir will always remain an icon, mentor and legend in the legal profession. She inspired so much passion and courage in me. From here on, I will strive to follow her example in achieving my goals to bring about reform in the justice system in Pakistan. My own practice, successes and wins will always be a tribute to the legacy of Ms. Asma Jahangir.”

The Chevening scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year Masters programme at any UK university. The scholarship programme provides a unique opportunity to future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, to build networks, to experience UK culture, and to form lasting positive relationships with the UK. This year, 53 Pakistanis have been awarded Chevening scholarships – including X women.