A Filipino student has earned the highest honors in her Master of Studies (MSt) in Diplomatic Studies program at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom on Thursday, Dec. 2.
Ellaine Joy Calapao Sanidad will officially graduate and receive the distinction on March 12, 2022.
The Ilocos Norte native pursued the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford through the Chevening scholarship which she passed in 2020.
The Chevening scholarship is given to eligible international students to complete a one-year master’s degree.
The scholarship goes through multiple screenings and interviews.
This Oxford feat is only a part of her existing stellar academic achievements.
Sanidad graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UP-LB) in 2010.
She also earned a Master's Degree in Speech Communication at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
She was also the valedictorian in both her elementary and high schools, at San Isidro Central School and Immaculate Conception Academy in Batac, Ilocos Norte, respectively.
Sanidad worked as an instructor and assistant professor at UP-LB and the National Coast Watch Center as a Chief Intelligence Analyst.
The University of Oxford ranks first in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, fifth in the QS World University Rankings, and seventh in Shanghai Ranking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities all in 2021. (Khriscielle Yalao)