Chevening Orientation 2025
£Free
Get ready for your in-person Chevening orientation!
This celebratory event is your chance to meet everyone in your cohort for the first time!
The day will include:
- A keynote speech
- Lots of networking opportunities
- An opportunity to meet your Programme Officer
Attendance at this event is mandatory for all scholars. You must book your own travel to the event, as well as any necessary accommodation, using your travel top-up allowance. The password for the Eventbrite is in the September Scholargram newsletter.
Book your ticket for Orientation now
Orientation Programme
Time |
Session |
Room |
Level |
| 10:30- 11:15 | Scholar registration | ICC Capital Hall | 0 |
| 11:30- 12:00 |
Welcome, including: – Opening- Andrew Chadwick, Director, Chevening Scholarships – Special Address- Minister Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan – Policies and pointers – Meet the Chevening team and welfare – What the UK stands for |
ICC Auditorium | 0 |
| 12:15- 13:30 |
Morning breakout sessions (12:30 start) – Promoting growth and prosperity with Dr Linda Yueh CBE- Fellow at the University of Oxford. – Strengthening security and stability in a volatile world with Dr Tim Ferris- Senior Lecturer at Cranfield University and Dr Adam Zagorecki- Senior Research Fellow at Cranfield University – Building resilience in a climate-vulnerable world with Ambassador Ignacio Higueras, Yejide Tinubu- Senior Analyst at the Carbon Trust and Theresa Campbell-Carbon, Senior Policy Advisor at the Environment Strategy Directorate. – Supporting development for more inclusive and effective societies with Cece Makonyola- Head of Practice (Inclusion) at Westminster Foundation for Democracy. |
ICC Suites | 1 |
| 13:45- 15:00 | Lunch | ICC Capital Hall | 0 |
| 15:15- 15:50 |
Afternoon session, including: – Messages from High Commissions and Embassies – Your Chevening Journey video – Social Media Ambassadors – Closing remarks- Emma Hennessey, Head of the Scholarships Unit, FCDO – The value of volunteering with Emily Boylan, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Volunteering Matters – Keynote Address from Dr Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP and CEO at Satalia & Conscium – Closing remarks from Dr Emma Hennessey, Head of the Scholarships Unit, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |
ICC Auditorium | 0 |
| 15:50- 17:00 | Drinks reception | ICC Capital Hall | 0 |
Important information
How do I get to the venue?
Chevening orientation will take place at the Excel Centre in London.
Can I bring friends and/or family with me?
The event is for Chevening scholars and fellows only. We are unable to accommodate family members, children, or friends outside of the 2025-26 Chevening cohort; they will be refused entry.
If you have additional needs, after registering you will be contacted and may be able to bring a friend to assist you. Please email welfare@chevening.org if you have not been contacted after registering.
Will there be a photographer?
There will be a photographer and a videographer at the event. These photos and videos may be used for marketing purposes in future. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please pick up a yellow lanyard when you arrive at the event, so that staff and fellow scholars know not to include you in photos.
What shall I wear?
There is no specific dress code, but we encourage scholars to dress colourfully and wear national dress if they wish. The most important thing is that you are comfortable in what you wear.
What if I lose personal property on the day?
If you lose something on the day, please speak to ExCeL staff or contact lostpropertyenquiries@excel.london. Chevening staff will not collect belongings left behind.
Are there any items I cannot bring to the venue?
Please be sensible and think about the items that you are bringing to the event. The Security team at the ExCeL can confiscate items considered dangerous and we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed them back.
Is there anything I should bring with me?
If you have a business card or some ID you can use as a name badge, it will help facilitate your networking and make the most out of meeting other scholars!
Can I keep my bag with me during the event?
For all large items please you use the free of charge cloakroom provided. This can be found on the ground floor.
Please note that this does get very busy so if you wish to check a bag, please arrive at 10:00.
What if I need to charge my phone on the day?
There are no sockets within any of the ExCeL rooms for phone charging. However, there are charge boxes for phones located east and west of the venue near the entrances.
Will there be anywhere to buy food on the day?
A light sandwich lunch will be provided. If you would prefer to buy your own lunch, there are places to do so at the ExCel. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks.
I have a dietary requirement – will there be food for me?
When registering, you should have noted if you had any dietary requirements and as such, there will be gluten free and vegan options available to those who stated their preference.
Can I leave early?
We would prefer that you stay for the duration of the programme as important information will be passed across throughout the day.
What if I need assistance on the day?
We will have a manned information desk within the Capital Hall that you can go to and all Chevening staff will be wearing red lanyards.
If you are feeling unwell, there is a first aider at the ExCeL so please do reach out to ExCeL members of staff.
We can’t wait to see you there!