Background

What have we done so far?

What are we going to do next?

How does this help?

How can you help?

Background

In 2006 the Commission’s main funding body, the Department for International Development (DFID), commissioned an external review of its scholarship programmes. The review recommended that DFID support ongoing evaluation work with the aim of identifying in particular the impact that award-holders were having on their home countries on completion of their awards. The CSC Evaluation and Monitoring Programme was created, with the intention of adding to the established monitoring work already undertaken with specific impact evaluation, looking at both the long and short term impact of its awards, on individuals, institutions and on wider societies. The findings of these reports not only serve to demonstrate the value of such awards to stakeholders, but also to inform the policies and management of the awards themselves, assisting the Commission in the continuous evaluation of its practices and programmes.

What have we done so far?

Four reports have so far been published as part of the programme, with the first two examining the findings of an alumni survey sent to around 6,000 alumni in 2008. Of these over 2,220 responded, representing a healthy response rate of nearly 40% and giving us a wealth of information not only about the impact of our awards on our alumni and their communities and employers but also about the kind of work and activities our alumni are involved with. The next report looked at this information in the context of the Caribbean region and the fourth has gone further, by examining  impact in the health sector, with targeted follow up surveys and telephone interviews adding to information already held.

What are we going to do next?

A number of reports are planned for the next 18 months, looking at key priority areas as well as the impact of different schemes and awards. Work has begun on a study looking at the contribution of our awards to governance, conflict resolution and social inequalities, under the broad working title of ‘Supporting Democracy’ recognising that secure and stable societies are a pre-requisite if many of the Millennium Development Goals and other targets are to be reached. Later in the year, work will begin on a further report examining our alumni’s contribution to environmental protection and climate change and a study examining the impact of our Masters level awards.

How does this help?

The findings of the various reports are not only used to inform future Commission policy but also to reassure funding bodies and other stakeholders of the value of scholarship and fellowship schemes. They also help us examine the relevance of our awards, particularly with the increasing focus on development issues and the recognition of the importance of higher education. So far for example we have found that alongside the positive outcomes that we might expect from such scholarships, such as the acquisition of specific skills and qualifications, and contributing to international collaboration and links, the vast majority of our respondents report additional benefits such as the ability to use these skills to make changes in their workplaces as well as to have wider political and socioeconomic impact on their societies.

How can you help?

The Commission is indebted to the more than 2,200 alumni who responded to the initial alumni survey and to those who have taken the time to complete follow up questionnaires when invited. Alumni can further help not only by completing surveys and responding to requests for information but also by keeping us up to date with your contact details, employment details and activities. One result of the work we have carried out to date is clear evidence that however high or low level their contribution may appear, the impact of our many alumni around the Commonwealth is not to be underestimated.

Further information and electronic copies of the reports can be found at

http://www.cscuk.org.uk/cscevaluationandmonitoringprogramme.asp