British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline has signed an agreement with the British Embassy to co-sponsor up to two scholars under the UK’s Chevening Program.

The partnership will start for the school year 2013 to 2014 and will end in 2016.

“The Chevening scholarship has always recognized talent and leadership potential and we believe also that there can be no better investment. In GSK we are honored to work in partnership with the Chevening and are excited about how the health scholars will rightfully take their places in a fast and positively developing health landscape,” said Roberto Taboada, president of GlaxoSmithKline Philippines.

The British Embassy is currently in discussion with other potential partners firms with a view to increase the number of Chevening scholars from the Philippines.

“In 2011, seven Filipinos were awarded Chevening Scholarships. In 2012 that number rose to twelve. We were able to expand the number of scholarships through a new partnership with Cambridge University. Looking to 2013, I would like us to be able to forge additional partnerships, which will allow us to increase the number of Chevening Scholars we are able to fund,” said British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

The deadline for applications for school year 2013 to 2014 is on January 2, 2013. Aspiring students may access the online application forms at www.chevening.org.

Chevening Scholarships are for talented people who have been identified as future leaders, decision makers, or opinion formers across a wide range of fields, including politics, business, finance, climate change and energy, media, healthcare, civil society and academia.