AirAsia X Partners British FCO to offer Chevening Scholarships to Malaysians

AirAsia X has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the British High Commission in Malaysia to jointly-fund the Chevening scholarships for Malaysian students wishing to study in the United Kingdom.

The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students for study in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is named after Chevening House in Kent, the official country residence of the Foreign Secretary. The programme commenced in 1984 and is funded by the British government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Under the terms of the partnership, AirAsia X will provide return flights and baggage allowance for ten scholars for travel from Kuala Lumpur LCCT to London, for the academic year 2011/2012. All tuition fees and living expenses will be funded by the British Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

 Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia X, Azran Osman-Rani said, “The association with the Chevening Scholarship Programme is part of AirAsia’s effort to provide opportunities for bright talented Malaysians to realise their fullest potential in a way that AirAsia Group has in helping to realise dreams and ambitions of its employees over the last 10 years of it taking to the skies.”

More than 1200 Malaysian scholars have studied in the UK since the programme started in 1984.

 Ray Kyles, Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia said, “I would like to thank AirAsia X for their generosity and their great support in promoting education. It is highly appreciated. With their involvement, we are able to increase the number of scholarships awarded at a time when both governments are seeking to strengthen the bilateral relationship across the board. We genuinely hope that this collaboration will mark the start of a number of joint ventures with AirAsia X in Malaysia.”

AirAsia X, which has flown to Stansted Airport in the UK since 2009, will shift its flights to London Gatwick from 24 October 2011. The airline will commence six times weekly flights to Gatwick Airport by mid December 2011.

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