College Student wins Prime Minister's Global Fellowship
Posted on Thursday 18 June 2009
Second year student, Abhijit Chandgadkar, has been selected to spend six weeks in China this summer
Abhijit Chandgadkar selected for journey of a lifetime
When a letter from 10 Downing Street dropped through 18 year old Abhijit Chandgadkar’s letterbox in Weir Avenue, Farnborough, recently, he could scarcely believe the good news that it brought. Abhijit, a student at Farnborough Sixth Form College, has been selected as one of only 100 school and college leavers to receive a Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship to travel to China, India or Brazil.
The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship is aimed at enabling talented young people in England to develop an understanding of global issues. Abhijit has been chosen, after a gruelling interview process, to become part of a network of young people in England who will have a personal understanding of global citizenship and what it will take to contribute to and compete in our changing world.
Abhijit said, “When I received a letter signed by the Prime Minister himself, congratulating me on becoming one of the 100 Global Fellows of 2009, it felt like getting nominated for an Oscar!”
In July, Abhijit will be travelling with about 30 other 18 year old students to China where he will spend six weeks investigating issues of culture, language, education and global enterprise.
He said, “The trip is a chance of a lifetime and will certainly provide me with lessons in life, business and culture - I am really excited and I cannot wait to spend my summer in China.”
On his return, Abhijit will write a report on his experiences which he will present personally to Gordon Brown at a reception in 10 Downing Street in the Autumn.
Abhijit said, “It is a great opportunity for me to receive these useful skills at an early point in my career and I certainly don’t intend to waste them. I am really grateful to the College and especially Lesley Grovenor-Ellis, my tutor, and John Guy, the Principal, for their help and encouragement in urging me to apply.”
Dr Guy said, “We are all really proud of Abhijit’s achievement. As a College we aim to give young people the qualifications and skills to meet the demands of a changing world with confidence and assurance and Abhijit is surely one of the greatest ambassadors of this College.”
