MANILA, Philippines – Four Filipino professionals were among the selected individuals to be awarded with the prestigious Chevening Fellowship by the British government.

The 4 Filipino recipients of the grants are Michael Joseph Juan, Associate Director of AIM-TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Societal Divides; Atty. Flor Ofilada, Strategy Management Officer of the Philippine Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Office; Norgianna Suleik, Strategic Relations Manager of Nonviolent Peaceforce and Wilfredo Torres, Program Officer of The Asia Foundation's programs on Conflict Management in the Philippines and Rapid Response.

"We are delighted to be able to offer fellowships to outstanding Filipinos, not least because the courses are in areas that matter to people in this country - governance, peace and democracy. I always say that people are at the heart of RP-UK relations, and the Chevening programme is a fantastic bridge between our two societies," said British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

The Chevening Fellow is offered only to professionals in a position of leadership and influence in their home country. Fellows are awarded study grants for short courses that focus on particular subjects.

Torres said the being awarded a Chevening Fellowship is and excellent opportunity for him having worked for more than 5 years in a conflict management program.

“I intend to build on the Chevening Fellowship to continue to help in the attainment of a just and sustained peace in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao and prevent the senseless loss of life," said Torres.

Chevening Fellows undertake an intensive 12-week program that offers dynamic training and professional development opportunities, with contributions from leading academics and experts in the field. The courses for 2010 will start on 11 January and end on 1 April.

Torres and Juan will attend a course on Government Relations with NGOs and Civil Society at the University of Wolverhampton. The program will support the capacities of present and future leaders to understand and be able to address the factors that have or can have an impact on radicalization and counter-terrorism.

Atty. Ofilada is set to participate in a course on Delivering Economic & Regulatory Reform at the University of Bradford. The program will focus on advanced understanding of the processes behind economic reform, fostering regulatory frameworks and institutions, and adapting economic policies to gain from globalization.

Meanwhile, Suleik will attend a course on Peacekeeping and International Capacity Building at the University of Bradford. The course will provide a better understanding on how the international community can best develop and co-ordinate civilian expertise and skills and face the challenges in mounting effective peace support operations.