LONDON, February 9 /PRNewswire/ -- 23 Chechen students arrived in Britain last month as part of the country's first sponsorship scheme aimed at the rebuilding its education system after the brutal war between Chechen separatists and Russian federal forces.

The war which began in 1994 left some 70-80,000 people - mostly civilians - dead, destroyed the economy, and caused one third of the 1.3 million Chechens to flee the country, resulting in the outflow of the highly qualified specialists from the Republic to other regions of Russia and abroad.

The scholarship students who have previously received a fragmented education broken by war and time spent in refugee camps will undertake a one year preparation course with international education provider Study Group, in order to secure them a position at British university.

The scholarship programme is the brainchild of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov and it is intended to run for the next ten years. Britain was selected as the destination of choice due to its international reputation for excellence in higher education.

Saidov Zaurbek, from the Chechen Ministry of Education said: The aim of the programme is to develop qualified specialists with world-recognised degrees. These professionals will then return to Chechnya with the transferrable skills necessary for the economic and social development of their country.

Establishing a relationship with leading international educators like Study Group is just one of the steps the Chechen Ministry of Education is taking in the mass reconstruction of the education system. If successful the programme will continue with up to 100 students sent abroad each year.

James Pitman, Managing Director of Study Group UK said: The programme is a great opportunity for the students and a significant and positive step forward for Chechnya.

Britain is world-renowned for the quality of its education and we are confident our preparation courses will ensure the students are provided with the language, social and academic skills necessary to thrive in the field of study that they have chosen.

Umar Dunaev, from the Mesker-Yurt Shalinsky region in Chechnya, wants to pursue a degree in English education, and says he is excited about the renewed prospects for his future and is taking his education very seriously.

After living through two wars, you appreciate everything. Some students do not take their studies very seriously, even though their parents are spending a lot of money on their education. Knowing that my government and the people of my Republic - who themselves are poor people are paying for my education, it makes me appreciate my situation and I am determined to make the most of this opportunity, Mr Dunaev says.

He continues: Before the scholarship programme, I had different plans for my future, I was going to settle down and get married, not that I had anyone to marry yet. But now I have decided I am going to pursue my education.

The Chechen Ministry of Education this week received the first of the students' academic reports and is pleased with the student progress and the successful start of the project.

The 23 students are spread across seven Study Group locations; London, Oxford, Cambridge, Hastings and International Study Centres at University of Huddersfield, University of Wales and Liverpool John Moores University.

About Study Group http://www.StudyGroup.com

Spanning five continents, Study Group is a global leader in international education, providing the highest quality educational opportunities for students from over 120 countries. Beginning in 1994 with 7000 students per year, Study Group now has an enrolment base of 50,000 around the world.

Through Study Group's leading set of partnerships with top universities, it is able to provide on and off-campus preparation courses for international students that ensure academic success and entry into some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. The quality of its teaching is confirmed by independent accreditation bodies worldwide including: English UK, Ofsted, British Council, NEAS, Accet, English Australia and New Zealand Qualification Authority.

Through the Bellerbys brand in the UK, Study Group provides academic preparation for international students wanting to study at English-speaking universities.

Study Group offers English language courses for international students in 18 locations in all of the main Anglophone destinations through its EmbassyCES brand. Courses include short-term general English, one-year academic programmes and specialist English preparation for public English language qualifications, or for degree programmes at English-speaking universities. Study Group also runs youth summer vacation courses in the UK, Ireland and the USA, combining English language training with both academic and extra-curricular activities.

The biggest intake of international students into Study Group's UK programmes is from countries with emerging economies such as China, and South East Asian economies, and in particular from oil rich nations like Russia and the Middle East

About Bellerbys College http://www.Bellerbys.com

Bellerbys College has built a reputation throughout the world for its academic distinction and unsurpassed student support services.

Bellerbys offers unrivalled academic preparation for international students who demand the very best of a British education. Programmes range from GCSE and A Level to Foundation courses, degree study and postgraduate preparation courses.

The college has centres in some of the UK's most renowned academic destinations including Oxford and Cambridge and brand-new, purpose built centres in Brighton and London.

Tanya Lobegeier, Account Manager, TopLine Communications, Tanya@toplinecomms.com, +44(0)20-7886-0856