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A month ago, Sharif Safi’s dream of studying in the UK was about to come true.
He was one of 35 young Afghans selected from among thousands of applicants for the Chevening Scholarship, a prestigious and highly competitive British government scholarship that offers the opportunity for people from all over the world to study in Britain for one year.
But last week, the British Embassy in Kabul told the group that it could no longer process their visas, meaning they could not take up UK university places they had obtained through a grueling year-long application process.
“I am still in shock,” Mr. Safi said. “I am devastated after the news. All my dreams have vanished.”
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He had taken a mandatory five-hour English test at his home in Kabul while ill with the COVID-19 virus, with a high temperature and body aches that brought tears to his eyes.
The embassy’s letter, dated August 6 and seen by Sky News, stated that “current conditions” meant that the British Embassy in Kabul was unable to administer the parts of the program that would have to take place in Kabul in time for the candidates to start their courses. this year.
She added: “Office of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Development is proud of the role Chevening has played and will continue to play in providing Afghan scholars the opportunity to study in the UK, and we remain committed to bringing the program back as soon as possible.
“We would therefore like to offer you a deferment until the 2022-2023 school year.”
But Safi, who is planning a master’s degree in peace, conflict and diplomacy at London Metropolitan University, said he and others have already planned their lives for the next year abroad.
“Personally in my case I handed over my job and all my responsibilities in my organization to someone else,” he said.
“I declined a job offer at an important diplomatic mission and declined many other educational opportunities simply because I chose Chevening over any other.”
Mr. Safi and several other scholars told Sky News that they met the UK’s deputy ambassador in Kabul last week and suggested they travel to British diplomatic missions in Pakistan, neighboring India or an alternative country to have their visas processed, at their own expense, but that was refused.
They also asked if they could start their online courses from Afghanistan for how long it takes to process their visas, but were told that was not possible.
Mr. Safi said: “Put yourself in our shoes – you can see other Chevening scholars from all over the world traveling to the UK to start their courses, but you only because you live in Afghanistan, only because you are Afghani you have to bear the grief you have to bear the disappointment.”
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Afsana Hamidi was accepted to study for a master’s degree in education at the University of Roehampton, with a focus on special educational needs and disability, making her the first woman, and second person ever, to specialize in this field in Afghanistan.
She said the initial exhilaration of being accepted into a prestigious program caused the shock of her loss to a management issue, just weeks before she was due to launch, and even worse.
“Chevening is a highlight this year, because they give these opportunities to all other countries and they only exclude Afghanistan,” she told Sky News.
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“I missed out on very good opportunities here because I turned down job offers.
“I planned everything about studying in the UK.”
For Nimatullah Dhafari, who applied for the award for four consecutive years until he finally succeeded, the news was heartbreaking.
Photo: Naimullah Dhafari applied for the award for four consecutive years until he succeeded
He said: “Imagine – four years of a dream you will make it come true, and this year – finally in the fourth year – you make it, and you get such an email, such a letter.
“It’s hard to put it into words. I can’t sleep at night.”
Mr Zafari, who is currently at the United Nations in Kabul and plans to study Governance, Development and Public Policy at the University of Sussex, questioned why the British Embassy could not process 35 visa applications directly from individuals already vetted by the same embassy. Through the grueling one-year scholarship application process.
“On July 15, I received a final email from the UK Program Officer that my documents had been scanned and I was selected,” he said.
“So, from July 15 onwards, you are just waiting to get your final award letter and apply for your visa.
“You are preparing to leave. Suddenly you receive an email that has been delayed.”
Former Foreign Secretary and Conservative leadership candidate, Rory Stewart, described the FCO’s decision to stop scholarships in Afghanistan as a disgrace.
He tweeted: “It is very disappointing to hear – on top of everything – that Afghans who received UK Government scholarships to study in the UK this year have now been told they will not be granted visas due to ‘administrative issues’.” Surely someone could sort this out?”
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Former Conservative MP David Lidington said in a tweet that those accepted into the Chevening program would be at particular risk from the Taliban, and in a tweet called the FCDO’s decision “morally wrong and against UK interests”.
He added that scholars “among them [the] The “brightest and the best” is who our government really wants to attract [the] United kingdom. HopeBorisJohnson & DominicRaab will do an urgent review.”
The Chevening Scholarships are funded by FCDO and partner organizations, and FCDO says they provide a “unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from around the world to advance professionally and academically.”
Alumni include Booker Prize-winning presidents, prime ministers, and authors.
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Scholars cannot apply to remain in the UK after they have completed the course, and must agree to return home for two years at the end of the scholarship.
For this year’s batch of Afghan students, the prospect of continuing their education in the UK is dwindling.
But some, like Sherif Safi, still hope the decision can be reversed.
He told Sky News: “My humble request to the UK government is – please don’t abandon us.”
An FCDO spokesperson said: “Current conditions in Afghanistan mean that the embassy cannot manage parts of the program that needs to be done in Kabul.
“So we paused Chevening there.
“All of this year’s students will be able to start their program next year.”
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