Chevening Social Media Ambassadors (SMAs) showcase what it’s like to be a Chevening scholar by attending events and documenting their experiences of life in the UK.
SMAs show what it’s really like to study and live in the UK. They post regular updates of their Chevening experiences, from academic life to cultural adventures, on their social media platforms.
SMAs are chosen because of their:
There are many benefits to becoming an SMA including exclusive learning and networking opportunities.
Find out more about 2026-27 ambassadors below.
Pronouns: She/her
Home country: Brunei Darussalam
Course: MA Criminology and Criminal Justice
University: University of Sussex
Amal Safwanah is a Bruneian content creator and founder of ‘Baru nah! Brunei’, a platform that uses street interviews to share everyday perspectives and voices from Brunei. With a background in criminology and experience creating engaging digital content, she is passionate about community, meaningful conversations, and giving people a platform to be heard.
As a Chevening scholar pursuing an MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Sussex, Amal looks forward to documenting her UK journey, exploring new perspectives, and sharing meaningful experiences with audiences back home.
Follow Amal’s journey:
Ariadna Santos Pronouns: she/her
Home country: México
Course: Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
University: University of Oxford
Ariadna Santos is a Mexican Chevening scholar and MSc candidate at the University of Oxford. Passionate about public policy, education, and Indigenous communities, her work spans government, civil society, and international organisations, with a focus on widening educational access.
She also founded CASA MADEJAS, an initiative that supports Indigenous youth in pursuing higher education. At Oxford, Ariadna explores how education policy can better reflect diverse community realities.
Follow Ariadna’s journey:
Claudia Suwardi Pronouns: she/her
Home country: Indonesia
Course: MSc Behaviour Change
University: University College London
Claudia Suwardi is an Indonesian marketing professional with experience across the consumer goods sector. Passionate about understanding what motivates people to act, she is also the co-founder of ‘Here to Share’, a youth-led initiative focused on education and social projects.
As a Chevening scholar at University College London, Claudia hopes to combine marketing, behavioural science, and social impact to drive positive change. Through storytelling, she aims to share what she learns and inspire others to believe that even small steps can create meaningful impact.
Follow Claudia’s journey:
Dirseo Pasha Home country: Albania
Course: MPA in Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value
University: UCL
Dirseo Pasha is an Albanian public policy professional whose work focuses on inclusive development and digital innovation in the public sector. Growing up in post-communist Albania shaped his commitment to strengthening public institutions and building trust between citizens and government.
‘I grew up in post-communist Albania, a country rebuilding itself from scratch, where I watched families lose faith in institutions that were meant to protect them. Those years never left me. They became my purpose: to help build a state that people can believe in again.‘
As a Chevening scholar at UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, Dirseo is exploring how governments can create more inclusive and effective public services. He looks forward to sharing his experience of studying in the UK and encouraging future applicants from countries like Albania to pursue similar opportunities.
Follow Dirseo’s journey:
Duy Duong Ngo Pronouns: he/him
Home country: Vietnam
Course: MSc Marketing and Branding Communications
University: Middlesex University London
Duy Duong is a Vietnamese TV host with a diverse professional background across aviation, finance, marketing, and media. After working with Qatar Airways and Deloitte, he joined Vietnam Television (VTV) while also serving as Marketing Manager for Dawn of Finance and Phuc Lam Agri.
Through his Chevening journey, he hopes to share experiences, connect communities, and inspire positive change.
Follow Duy Duong’s journey:
Jana Rashed Pronouns: She/her
Home country: Lebanon
Course: Msc Environment and Development
University: London School of Economics and Political Science
Jana Rashed is a Palestinian refugee born and raised in Lebanon. She is a climate communicator and a master’s student in environment and development at LSE. Her work focuses on climate justice, amplifying marginalised voices, and supporting more inclusive and implementable climate policies across the SWANA region.
Committed to creating space for communities whose voices are often overlooked, Jana works to bring their experiences into wider climate conversations. Through sharing her Chevening journey, she hopes to inspire young girls in refugee camps and across the region to believe that their circumstances do not have to limit their ambitions.
Follow Jana’s journey:
Pronouns: She/Her
Home country: Maldives
Course: MSc Global Sustainability Solutions
University: University of Exeter
Mariyam Rafha Abdulla is a Maldivian marine biologist whose childhood connection with nature inspired her to study tropical environmental biology at Monash University Malaysia.
Her experience includes work with the Maldives Underwater Initiative, Atoll Marine Center, and the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where she contributed to sea turtle conservation, coral restoration, sustainability initiatives, and whale shark monitoring.
As a UNICEF youth delegate at COP30, Rafha advocates for collaborative solutions that support vulnerable island nations facing the impacts of climate change.
Follow Rafha‘s journey:
Mohammed Abdelkeddouss Belrhazi Pronouns: He/Him
Home country: Morocco
Course: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
University: Warwick
Mohammed Abdelkeddouss Belrhazi is a Moroccan content creator who shares his learning journey through educational content designed to help people learn English through television, storytelling, and film recommendations. He holds a background in English Studies with a specialisation in Linguistics, as well as a Cambridge CELTA qualification.
With his videos reaching more than four million viewers, Abdelkeddouss support learners preparing for IELTS and pursuing new opportunities. Passionate about languages and cultures, he has explored Italian, Spanish, Turkish, French, Korean, and various Arabic dialects, and aspires to become a polyglot.
Follow Abdelkeddouss’ journey:
Pronouns: He/Him
Home country: Zambia
Course: MSc Financial Technology
University: University of Glasgow
Ronald Nkiwane is a Zambian financial services professional and Chevening scholar pursuing an MSc in Financial Technology at the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School. With over six years of banking experience, he has worked across transaction banking, digital banking, payments, and financial technology.
Ronald is passionate about leveraging technology to expand financial inclusion, strengthen digital ecosystems, and support businesses and public institutions. His interests include fintech innovation, digital transformation, and developing practical solutions that contribute to sustainable economic development across Africa.
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Uldana Irensiz Pronouns: she/her
Home country: Kazakhstan
Course: MSc Global Health, Social Justice and Public Policy
University: King’s College London
Uldana Irensiz is an endocrinologist and diabetes advocate from Kazakhstan. Alongside her clinical practice, she coordinates the medical council of a diabetes charity, bringing people together to support children and families living with diabetes. This work has strengthened her commitment to equality and accessible healthcare.
Passionate about staying active, connecting with others, learning from different perspectives, and sharing positive energy, Uldana looks forward to sharing her Chevening journey and encouraging others to believe in themselves.
‘I believe kindness helped bring me here, and I hope my Chevening journey encourages others to trust themselves and embrace every new opportunity!’
Follow Uldana’s journey:
What activities can you do outside of university time in the UK?
Coming to the UK with a Chevening scholarship means that you are opening doors to many opportunities. There are many places you could visit and thousands of activities to keep you entertained.
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