Chevening Fellowships provide mid-career professionals with the tools they need to make a lasting impact. Read Predrag Puharic's story about how he used what he learnt in the UK to establish the first Cyber Security Excellence Centre of its kind in his home country.
In addition to scholarships, Chevening offers several fully funded fellowships.
These tailored short courses are for mid-career professionals who have already reached a position of influence but want to increase their knowledge, networks, and potential, so that they can make a meaningful impact back home.
One such programme is the Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship.
Delivered by Cranfield University, this ten-week programme explores legislative and policy approaches to cyber security and the corresponding implications for national security, commercial opportunity, crime prevention, and the right to privacy.
For fellows, taking part in this programme is more than just a professional milestone; it’s a catalyst for long-term change.
Class of 2020 Chevening alumnus Predrag Puharic’s story is a testament to this.
Read on to find out how Predrag leveraged his Chevening Fellowship experience to advance his career and revolutionise the cyber security landscape in his home country.
How did you use your Chevening experience to make a positive impact back home?
‘Bosnia and Herzegovina lacked an independent and trusted institution to strengthen cybersecurity capacity for academia, civil society, and independent media.
Drawing on my Chevening experience, I founded the Cyber Security Excellence Centre (CSEC) – the first initiative of its kind in the country. CSEC has since become a recognised regional hub, providing threat intelligence, awareness training, and capacity-building projects supported by international partners.
In parallel, my professional journey led me into public service. I served as the Mayor of Sarajevo (2024–2025) and currently as Deputy Mayor, where I combine technical expertise with executive leadership. These roles allow me to demonstrate how international education and fellowships can translate into tangible public impact.’
How did your Chevening experience help you to achieve your goals?
‘Chevening gave me credibility and access to a powerful international network. The fellowship at Cranfield strengthened my academic and practical understanding of cyber policy, while also connecting me to mentors and peers who remain invaluable today.
It was also a platform from which I gained further recognition: after Chevening, I was selected for the CRDF Fellowship at Purdue University and later for the US State Department’s IVLP programme. These opportunities were possible because Chevening had already established me as a trusted and internationally engaged professional.’
What are your plans for the future?
‘My goal is to scale the impact of the Cyber Security Excellence Centre across the Western Balkans and further develop it into a regional hub for resilience, research, and training. At the same time, I will continue contributing to governance, whether in public office or through policy advisory work, where integrity and international cooperation remain central.
I see myself as part of a hybrid generation of leaders: rooted in technical expertise, strengthened by international fellowships, and committed to serving society through transparent and accountable governance.’
How could studying in the UK with a fully funded Chevening Fellowship help you achieve your goals?
Applications for several fellowship programmes are open until 7 October. Find out more and apply!
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When Chevening alumnus Josiah Kalala applied for a Chevening Scholarship, he was not, as he put it ‘fresh out of undergrad’. With seven years’ experience as a lawyer under his belt, he was ready to deepen his expertise in constitutional law in a country known for its world-class education, practical research, and leading professors: the UK.