Hi, I'm Kevhvan Graham
This is the story of my
Scholarship Journey.

My name is Kevhvan Graham, and I am from Jamaica. I am a young scientist who has chosen the microbial sciences, particularly the issue of antimicrobial resistance, as my academic and professional niche. My degree program was the Master of Science in Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. I chose this degree program because I needed to advance my knowledge in microbiology. Having done a considerable amount of laboratory and technical research in the field, I pursued this course to ensure there were no knowledge gaps as I progressed in my career.

Chevening Scholarship Details

 I was fortunate to be selected as one of the 14 scholars from Jamaica for the prestigious Chevening Scholarship in 2023. The Chevening Scholarship, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the United Kingdom, is a flagship global scholarship that awards thousands of scholars worldwide to pursue master’s degrees in the UK annually. The scholarship fully covers tuition, NHS health surcharge, and airfare to and from the UK, and also provides a monthly stipend of over £1000 to cover accommodation and other related costs, with additional allowances to support your move to the UK. This scholarship also grants access to the Chevening Alumni Network, which is a dynamic lifetime connection with all the scholars, where we can share ideas, support each other, and team up to drive change in our home countries and beyond.

Educational Background

After completing my A-levels, I pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology, with Animal Biology, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica. This degree laid the foundation for the career I have today. Biotechnology is a wide field that incorporates molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, and plant sciences. This well-rounded knowledge exposed me to several scientific disciplines, which eventually made it comfortable to have a multifaceted approach to learning. Subsequently, I then pursued a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Molecular Biology, also at the UWI, Jamaica. This program formed my main introduction to microbiology and cemented the passion for antimicrobial resistance that is still burning to this day. My thesis focused on the isolation and characterization of secondary metabolites from the Streptomyces, a group of bacteria that are well known for their abilities to synthesize antibiotics and other antimicrobial compounds. I really enjoyed working on this degree, I have learned so much, which resulted in a keen sense of confidence, especially in my ability to write scientifically and give riveting scientific presentations. I am pleased to share that this MPhil degree was recently awarded with High Commendation, the highest award for MPhil/PhDs at the UWI. With these educational experiences, I am uniquely positioned to boost my development, academically and professionally, to drive change in my field, which is to mitigate the detrimental effects of antimicrobial resistance to our communities.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarships and the University of Aberdeen?

The Chevening Scholarship opens in early August each year and closes in early November. I actually started preparing for this scholarship in 2021 and applied and was successful for the 2023 cohort. From 2021? Yes. Chevening is a scholarship that focuses on developing future leaders who are capable of stimulating and sustaining their influence, to not only build networks and maintain relationships but also those who are uniquely positioned and motivated to drive change in their home country. So, to ensure I was able to strongly demonstrate this on my application, I began exploring ways to develop my leadership skills, reflect on my network and the relationships within them, and explore my academic and career goals and link them to an existing challenge in my home country that I was determined to change for the better. All this information and what is required is found on the Chevening website at chevening.org, with countless tips and advice on how to present your best application. With regard to the institutions, standardized tests were not required, and because I am already a native English speaker, TOEFL/IELTS was also exempted. However, there are no language requirements to be selected for the scholarship, but it is important that you meet the language requirements of your selected institution.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Due to the fact that I spent years preparing for this scholarship, my approach was cohesive, and I would not change much of it should I go through the process again. The only thing I would improve is my delivery in the interview, though commendable, I felt I could have presented my experience in a simpler way, to ensure my panel had a more refined understanding of my goals and aspirations.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My best advice is to start preparing as soon as possible and try to become one with your goals. What I mean by this is to be inspired by them so much, that the passion will be glowing from you the moment you start to share them. Do as much research as you can and ask a past scholar for tips and the opportunity to review your essays. Be sure to read and understand the scholarship requirements, this is particularly important as it will contribute to your confidence. And lastly, be enthusiastic, confident, and determined, and work hard to present the best application you can.