Six Solomon Islands Chevening scholars returned home after completing one-year master’s degrees at UK universities, the British High Commission Honiara said in a report published on 16 October 2026. The scholarships were sponsored by the UK Government’s international scholarship programme, and the group brought back expertise in tropical medicine, environmental law, international human rights, commerce and telecommunications.

The scholars studied at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the University of Aberdeen, SOAS University of London, the University of Sussex, De Montfort University and University College London. The cohort was named as Dr Alan Hilly, Charlton Metopa, Dalcy Belapitu, Georgina Oroi, Freliz Fakarii and Richard Martin. At a welcome home event, British High Commissioner Paul Turner said the six had achieved outstanding success and were positioned to contribute to their professions and to the country’s wider development.

All six join the Chevening global alumni network, which includes Peter Kenilorea Jnr, described as the first Chevening scholar from Solomon Islands. The programme, established in 1983, has supported more than 60,000 professionals worldwide, according to the statement.