The award entitles scholars to one year of postgraduate study at a university of their choice.
Burnett and Hamlet were selected from a highly competitive process to study in the UK. They will join a group of over 1,000 young people from over 100 countries. More than 50,000 applications were received and applicants were interviewed online and at high commissions and embassies around the world.
British High Commissioner HE Harriet Cross said: “Congratulations to Ashlee and Joshua on this outstanding achievement. I am very proud of them. They have both shown the commitment to be future leaders in their respective fields and the ambition to drive positive change in their country.
“I wish them well on their journey and I have no doubt that each will contribute significantly to the future of Trinidad and Tobago upon their return.
“The Chevening program is a unique opportunity for students to develop professionally, personally and academically while exploring the UK’s diverse cultural landscape, stunning landscapes and vibrant history, all the while creating lasting relationships with people from around the world .”
Preparations are being made for scholars to depart for the opening of their September semester.
About scholars
Ashlee Burnett-
Ashlee Burnett is a writer and educator, and the founder of Feminitt Caribbean and a Young Women’s Leader for 2020. With a degree in English Language and Literature, Ashlee is reimagining the world through a feminist lens using critical pedagogy and transformative gender education.
She is a Fellow of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Network and an advisor to the Global Advisory Committee for the Caribbean region of FRIDA, the Young Feminist Fund. She is co-coordinator of Transform Education organized by the United Nations Initiative for Girls’ Education.
She will study for an MSc in education (policy and international development) at the University of Bristol.
Joshua Hamlet –
Joshua Hamlet, 34, is a practicing attorney called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago. His legal practice includes arbitration, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and liquidation, public law, corporate governance, employment law and trust law.
He currently serves as a branch committee member of the Caribbean Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has served on the board of non-profit organizations and worked in at-risk communities in the areas of human capacity development, entrepreneurship and youth activism through performance art.
In addition to his legal training, he has interdisciplinary qualifications in psychology and international relations.
His legal training focused on commercial dispute resolution, particularly involving cross-border disputes and intra-Caribbean community law.
It advocates the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as arbitrations, as a means of increasing the Caribbean’s attractiveness to foreign investment and trade.
Its goals include increasing the pool of trained professionals in the Caribbean capable of dealing with complex commercial disputes and improving the region’s institutional capacity and reputation as a competent and cost-effective place for arbitration.
He will study for an LLM in comparative and international dispute resolution at Queen Mary University of London.
Background
Chevening is the UK government’s international awards program aimed at developing global leaders.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of awards – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships, the recipients of which are personally selected by British embassies and high commissions around the world.
Chevening provides a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers and decision-makers from around the world to develop professionally and academically, network widely, experience UK culture and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. Since 1983, over 50,000 professionals have studied in the UK through Chevening.
