In May 2026, Sympodium's Founder & Director, Dr Neville Bolt, travelled to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan alongside UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) partners to meet prospective students and introduce them to the Sympodium Postgraduate Programme 2026/2027 — and the FCDO Scholarship opportunities available to candidates across the region.
Opening Doors Across the Region
The visit brought together an exceptionally diverse group of professionals, reflecting the breadth that has come to define the Sympodium cohort. Among those who attended were journalists, finance officers, project managers, legal professionals, logistics specialists, consultants, academics, and leaders from non-profit organisations — a reminder that the programme is designed for ambitious practitioners across every sector where policy, strategy, and communication converge.
Speakers & Alumni
At each event, prospective students heard from a distinguished panel of speakers and alumni. Dr Neville Bolt spoke about the Postgraduate Programme and its vision, while Robert Ray represented the UK FCDO, speaking to the scholarship opportunities on offer.
In Bishkek, attendees also heard from Oliver Fairlamb, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bishkek, who spoke to the strength of the UK's engagement with the region.
Alumni of the 2025/2026 programme spoke at each event, affording prospective students the opportunity engage directly with those who have experienced the programme — asking questions, hearing honest reflections, and gaining a genuine sense of what the programme demands and delivers.
From the Room | What Our Alumni Said
Across both events, alumni of the Sympodium Postgraduate Programme shared their reflections on what events like these mean for professionals across the region.
Saniya, Grants Coordinator with GLIMMER-2 at Internews Kazakhstan, said:
"Future applicants had the unique opportunity to hear about the programme firsthand from Neville Bolt himself and engage in an open discussion by asking questions directly. I believe this is a valuable opportunity for Kazakhstan, and it is especially encouraging to see such recognition of the potential that exists in our country and among professionals in our region."
Saltanat, Regional Finance Officer at Internews Europe, Kazakhstan, added:
“The event went extremely well, and I am very pleased to see this programme expanding and now reaching three Central Asia's countries. It was a highly valuable opportunity to connect with participants from different professional backgrounds, exchange experiences, and gain deeper insight into the programme’s impact on the ground.
I truly hope that more professionals will have the opportunity to take part in this programme, as it changes the way information is perceived and strengthens critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to navigate increasing levels of misinformation.
I also found Dr. Neville Bolt’s presentation on strategic planning particularly insightful and engaging. I believe it inspired many participants and will encourage more applications to the programme going forward.”
A Word from Our Director | Dr Neville Bolt
"It was a delight to reconnect with alumni and meet prospective students in their own countries. The enthusiasm for the programme and the FCDO Scholarship opportunity was rivalled only by the remarkable range of professional backgrounds in the room, a vivid reflection of what the Sympodium Postgraduate Programme is all about."
