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NEW APPOINTMENT FOR SRI LANKAN FELLOW
Professor Rohan Rajapakse, who held a Commonwealth Fellowship at the University of Reading in 1992-93, has been appointed Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy. Professor Rajapakse is also a member of the Universities Grants Commission, and was recently elected as a Fellow of Sri Lanka’s National Academy of Sciences. NGO POST FOR FORMER SCHOLAR
Saeed Ullah Khan, who obtained a Masters degree in Development Economics at the University of Susses on her Commonwealth Scholarship in 2003, has been appointed Regional Technical Advisor for youth and livelihoods programmes for the International Rescue Committee, specifically covering the Asian and Caucasus regions.
DISTANCE LEARNING SCHOLAR SETS UP NEW ORGANISATION
Commonwealth scholar Ben Gaunt has set up a new body, the Jabulani Rural Health Foundation, with colleagues in his home country of South Africa. The Foundation is a non profit organisation supporting the development of Zithulele Hospital and the surrounding community of some 130,000 people, through healthcare support, care for those affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty relief, education, nutrition and advocacy. Ben is currently studying for his Masters degree by distance learning from University College London.
ALL CHANGE IN NEW ZEALAND ELECTION
Two former Commonwealth Scholars were particularly affected by the change of government that followed the General Election in New Zealand on 8 November.
Lockwood Smith, who undertook a Commonwealth Scholarship at the University of Adelaide from 1973-1977, has been appointed as the new Speaker of the House following the election. Michael Cullen, former Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister under the previous administration, will continue as a Member of Parliament.
EDUCATION MINISTER ADDRESSES NEW SCHOLARS
Over three hundred new Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, from over thirty countries, attended the 2009 Welcome Day in London on 17 November. Highlight of the day was a speech by Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills David Lammy. Mr Lammy’s department will be supporting Commonwealth Scholarships, for developed countries, for the first time in 2009.
In the evening, Scholars attended a reception hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where they were joined by guests including the Commonwealth Secretary General and several High Commissioners.
NEW SURVEY CONFIRMS IMPACT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
A new survey published to coincide with the 2009 Welcome Day points to the continuing impact of Commonwealth Scholars in their home country.
The survey, part of the CSC's ongoing evaluation programme supported by the UK Department for International Development, produced replies from almost 2,400 award holders. Contrary to some perceptions of international scholarship programmes, it found that 85-90% were living and working in their home countries. 99% of respondents reported that they had gained knowledge in their field of expertise and 96% that they had
increased their analytical and technical skills. 95% reported that they
used the specific skills and knowledge gained on award in their work.
The interim report is available online.
HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATES COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS
There was strong support for Commonwealth Scholarships from members of the House of Lords, who debated the scheme in a 90-minute Grand Committee session on 18 November.
The debate was instigated by the crossbench peer and former Foreign Office Minister of State Lord Luce, whose introductory speech noted that the decision had been taken with out any proper review of the scheme or analysis or coordination with other interests, and that, on closer examination, it had descended into an ‘unholy muddle’ which gave damaging signals about the Government’s commitment to international scholarships and the Commonwealth generally. The concerns were reinforced by speeches from 12 other peers. Lord Hannay described the decision as short-sighted and contrary to the interests of the UK, as well as being offensive to the other countries involved. Baroness Deech and Lord Rees spoke of the huge impact made by international students, and the critical importance of Commonwealth Scholarships in demonstrating that the UK wished to compete in this market. Others, such as Lord Sutherland, Lord Bew and Baroness Finlay, described their personal experience of Commonwealth Scholars. Lords Anderson and Wright criticised the decision from a Commonwealth and wider diplomatic perspective, whilst Lord McNally stressed the importance of the Government taking a positive approach to the 50th anniversary of Commonwealth Scholarships in 2009. The latter issue extracted a commitment from Lord Bach, responding on behalf of the Government, that serious consideration was being given to the UK contributing to the Commonwealth Scholarships endowment fund being generated to mark the anniversary.
The full text of the debate from Hansard is available online.
STRENGTHENING THE AFRICAN FARM
Dr Kolawole Adebayo, Commonwealth Split-Site Scholar at the University of Reading in 2001-2002, is to manage a new USD 13 million initiative from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve the income of some 90,000 small farmers in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Malawi and Tanzania.
The initiative aims to increase opportunities for farmers to benefit from the emerging market for high quality cassava flour. Dr Adebayo is undertaking the work at the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich, where he is on secondment from his permanent position at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
SCHOLAR WINS BEST POSTER AWARD
Uganda’s Grace Nabulo, whose doctoral study at the University of Nottingham is looking at heavy metal uptake by vegetable crops, won the best poster presentation award at the fifth International Phytotechnologies conference (PhytoTech 2008) held in Nanjing, China, from 22-25 October.
SCHOLARSHIPS RESTORED FOR DEVELOPED COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
Commonwealth Scholarships for students from the developed Commonwealth to study in the United Kingdom in 2009 will, after all, be available, following a recent decision by the UK Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
The countries affected by the decision are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore and the Bahamas. Awards for citizens of all other Commonwealth countries will continue to be supported by the Department for International Development.
The awards for developed countries will be for doctoral study only, and will be co-funded by UK universities. A full list of participating universities will be posted on the web site on 03 November 2008. A list of those who have confirmed participation to date can be accessed here.
Applications and requests for information should be sent in the first instance to national nominating agencies, who will be announcing their deadlines shortly. Final decisions on successful candidates will be made by late March.
CSC–DELPHE LINK
The links between Commonwealth Scholarships and Britain’s wider development effort were further strengthened this week when Uzebba Kanu, a lecturer at Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, commenced a split-site doctoral scholarship at the University of Manchester. The work, in the area of sustainable forestry management, will link directly to wider collaboration between the two institutions under the Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) programme funded by Britain’s Department for International Development. The award is one of a growing number that are liked to DELPHE programmes and DFID-funded research consortia, reflecting the key role that scholarships can play in international development.
PRAISE FROM COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL
The achievements of Commonwealth Scholarships have been recognised by the recently appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma. Writing in the latest issue of Commonwealth Scholarships News, Mr Sharma pointed to the many ‘household names’ who had benefited from the scheme, but argued that this represented only part of the story. He suggested that the real value of the CSFP ‘lies in something less quantifiable, in the promotion of excellence, the sharing of knowledge and the deepening of bonds'. The article also points to the ‘immense goodwill towards the Plan’ throughout the Commonwealth, as it approaches its fiftieth anniversary in 2009.
FORMER SCHOLAR CITED IN NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Professor Lino Briguglio, who undertook his Commonwealth Scholarship at the University of Exeter from 1979-82, has been recognised as a lead author of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded last year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Professor Briguglio is Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Malta.
JAMAICA IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The role of Jamaica in the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is the subject of a feature article in the September issue of Commonwealth Scholarships News.
The article reports that former Commonwealth Scholars serve in virtually every sphere of Jamaican life, including 2003 alumnus Dr Christopher Tufton, the current Minister of Agriculture. Jamaica also has several current Commonwealth Scholars in New Zealand as well as the UK. It hosts Commonwealth Scholarships for UK students at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. One such award holder, David Pickering, is currently studying for a PhD in Medical Herbalis and Homeopathy.
ALUMNI TAKE PART IN AFRICAN POLICY CONSULTATION
Award holders from throughout Africa were prominent in a policy consultation organised by the British Academy, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 18-20 September. The event brought together African and British academics and policymakers, to identify practical ways to strengthen humanities and social sciences research in African universities. Kenyan alumni were also invited to a special lecture associated with the conference.
ALUMNI SPEAK OUT AGAINST FUNDING CUTS
Former Commonwealth Scholars Germaine Greer and Sir George Bain were amongst the panellists at a meeting staged by the Royal Commonwealth Society in London to protest against the decision of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to end its funding for Commonwealth Scholarships. Prior to the event, a letter appeared in 'The Times' signed by sixty eminent supporters of the scheme to draw attention to the decision. Signatories included two former Prime Ministers – Malcolm Fraser (Australia) and Paul Martin (Canada).
COMMONWEALTH – RHODES CRICKET MATCH
 The 6th annual Commonwealth – Rhodes cricket match was held at the University of Oxford on 19 July 2008. Commonwealth Scholars and their families came from around the country to play or spectate, and were joined by members of the Commission and Secretariat. A great day, as they say, was had by all; made even more so by the narrow victory snatched by the Commonwealth side. Read full report here.
FOUNDATION SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Dr Ben Gaunt, a Distance Learning scholar on the MSc in International Primary Health Care at University College London, has set up the Jabulani Rural Health Foundation with colleagues in his home country of South Africa. The Foundation is a non-profit organisation to support the development of Zithulele Hospital and the surrounding community of some 130,000 people. Jabulani provides healthcare support, care for those affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty relief, education and nutrition and advocacy. For more information email: jabulanifoundation@gmail.com AWARD FOR SPLIT-SITE SCHOLAR
Dr Sunil Narayan, Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India, is currently a Commonwealth Split-site doctoral scholar in Neuropharmacology and Pharmacogenomics of Stroke at Newcastle University, He was awarded "Chikitsa-Ratna" by the Delhi based International Study Circle at a function held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in December 2007. He had conducted his research on "Homocysteine and brain lesions and cognition" with Professor Gary Ford at Newcastle University in 2007, supported by the CFSP, and had earlier worked on European Carotid Surgery Trial and Lothian Stroke Registry with Professor Charles Warlow and Professor Martin Dennis at the University of Edinburgh in 1996 as a visiting stroke research fellow.
NEW UNIVERSITY FOR THE SEYCHELLES
Dr Rolph Payet (Commonwealth Scholar, BSc Biochemistry at the University of East Anglia, 1989-1992), Special Advisor to the President of the Seychelles, is also Chairman of the Seychelles University Foundation. The foundation is organising the creation of the first university for the Seychelles. Dr Payet is working with a number of key partners such as the African Development Bank, the Commonwealth of Learning, UNESCO and universities. More information can be found at the foundation website: www.sufoundation.sc
GHANA ALUMNI RECEPTION
HE Dr Nicholas Westcott, British High Commissioner to Ghana, hosted a reception for former Commonwealth and Chevening Scholars on 29 May. Speakers included Commonwealth Commissioner Professor Tim Unwin and Professor David Vincent, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Open University in the UK.
FORMER SCHOLAR AWARDED RESEARCH GRANT FROM THE BRITISH COUNCIL
Dr Amam Zonaed Siddiki (Commonwealth Scholar, PhD in Molecular Parasitology, University of Liverpool, 2002 - 2006) was recently awarded a Higher Education Link project grant worth £30,000 by The British Council, Bangladesh. The title of his project was “Capacity development towards risk analysis and prevention of Zoonoses in Bangladesh” which is underway in collaboration with the International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases and Research, Bangladesh (ICCDDRB) and National Zoonoses Research Center at the University of Liverpool, UK. The project was developed jointly with his PhD supervisor Dr Jonathan Wastling (Reader, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Liverpool University) and ex-colleague, Dr. Sophie Latham (currently working as Lecturer, National Zoonoses Research Center, Liverpool University).
According to Dr Siddiki, “The professional experience of working with a good team at Liverpool and the continuation of collaboration after returning from the UK has helped me significantly in getting the award which is the first prestigious project grant in my career”. The team is now trying to develop a new curriculum on public health for veterinary undergraduate students of Bangladesh, and on hosting a website containing research publications on zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh as well South Asia. Other activities will be arranging training sessions and bilateral visits of coordinators to establish a modern Zoonoses research laboratory in Bangladesh.
BRITISH ACADEMY VISITING FELLOWSHIP
Dr Emmanuel Akpabio (Commonwealth Split-site Scholar, PhD in Environmental and Resource Management, University of Uyo and Lancaster University, 2004 - 2006) is undertaking a four month visiting fellowship (May – August 2008) from the British Academy to work on the project “Indigenous Water Management and the Challenges of State Institutions in the Cross River Basin, Nigeria “. He is based at the Developing Areas Research Network, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University.
Dr Akpabio believes that his Commonwealth scholarship laid the foundation necessary for such future awards, having provided him with “useful contacts with colleagues…that became opportunities for openings such as this fellowship”. The inter-disciplinary nature of the fellowship will strengthen his research capacity as well as ensure high quality manpower at Dr Akpabio’s home institution, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
FORMER COMMONWEALTH SCHOLAR APPOINTED ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Former Commonwealth Scholar Professor Walter Woon has been appointed as Attorney-General of Singapore, from 11 April. Professor Woon obtained his LLM at the University of Cambridge in 1983. In recent years, he has also advised on the nomination of Commonwealth Scholarship candidates from Singapore.
MAURITIUS CHAPTER AGM
Dr Roshan Ramessur, Assistant Professor at the University of Mauritius, was elected President of the Mauritius chapter of Commonwealth Scholarship alumni at its fourth annual meeting. Other events during the year include an alumni dinner at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner, whilst eminent alumni in Mauritius include the Minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool.
DISTANCE LEARNING LINK BEARS FRUIT
Zambia has eighteen newly-qualified Master's graduates in Public Health, following a graduation ceremony at Chainama College of Health Science on 25 April. The students are products of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships funded by the Commission and delivered by Leeds Metropolitan University. The awards were presented by Leeds Metropolitan Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Lee, whilst the ceremony also included the unveiling of a plaque to recognise the gift of computers for student use from the university.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE FUNDING
The parliamentary statement on the FCO decision to end support for the Commonwealth Scholarships from 2009 can be viewed here. COMMONWEALTH DAY SERVICE- A SCHOLAR'S VIEW
Maya Gislason, a DPhil student at the University of Sussex gives an account of the service:
On Monday March 10th citizens from Commonwealth nations joined together at Westminster Abbey for the thirty-first Observance of Commonwealth day. Presided over by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh the multi-faith service of 2008 summoned the dignity and wisdom of people in the Commonwealth to develop a commitment to reverse the trends of climate change.
A central focus of the ceremony was to collectively make six affirmations, including the acceptance that all people have worth and dignity and that all living creatures will receive our respect and benefit from our commitment to act as stewards who care for every part of the planet. Finally, in keeping with the theme of the ceremony, we all stated that we recognise that environmental degradation, including climate change, pose grave threats to humanity and that it is each of our responsibilities to work now and in the future to create a sustainable world.
These pledges were made between stunning speeches, statements of experience and glorious music. This was the first time that I have been amidst so many people from countries and faiths where we pledged together to work to heal human’s relationship with the planet. May we move forward from this remarkable celebration and make it so.
COMMONWEALTH DAY
Scholars, Fellows and staff from the Commission’s secretariat attended the Commonwealth Day observance at Westminster Abbey on Monday 10th March. The observance is part of a whole week of Commonwealth-related activities – this year’s theme is ‘The environment – our future’. Guests heard speeches from, amongst others, HM Queen Elizabeth II and HE Don McKinnon (Secretary-General of the Commonwealth), and watched performances by an African children’s choir and a Maori music and dance group.
FORTHCOMING GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP
The workshop, entitled “The Environment and Governance in the Commonwealth” is being organised by the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit (CPSU) in association with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). It will be held at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies from 8-10 March 2008. Further details regarding the event will be posted on The ICS website in due course: http://www.sas.ac.uk/events/list/icws_events.
The conference aims to bring to the fore issues and perspectives on the environment that may fall by the wayside, to recognise scholars who are carrying work forward on this and to provide the opportunity for conference participants to debate and discuss ways forward, as well as assess and critique the current policy focus on governance. Bearing in mind the focus on the Commonwealth, this conference will serve as an opportunity to consider the potential of the modern Commonwealth to impact the climate change debate. SCHOLAR’S BLOG DISCUSSES CULTURAL AND POSTCOLONIAL THEORY
Norbert Bugeja, scholar at the University of Warwick, has created a blog concerned with cultural and critical theory and postcolonial critique, as well as other related debates and discourses. It is updated with interviews and debates with leading academics and researchers, sociologists, political scientists and philosophers. At the moment it includes a conversation with the renowned philosopher, pioneer of the Law of the Sea and former Rector of the University of Malta, Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott, about his acquaintance with Edward W. Said.
The blog also includes research features in creative writing, and is intended to stimulate a forum and foster academic debate regarding the topics discussed both within the blog, and with other blogs by other research scholars and students from other universities. Norbert would be especially glad if any scholars/alumni particularly those with any associated research interests in cultural and postcolonial theory and criticism, could get in touch with information about the online presence of your research and contribute to this blog.
He hopes that this will create a strong online resource/academic blogging community, of and for Commonwealth scholars in these areas - a series of websites that contain current research updates and related information, that people can consult and cross-reference in a reciprocal manner.
For more information see Norbert Bugeja’s blog:
http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/norbertbugeja/
COMMONWEALTH PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIPS 2008
The Commission supports fellowships for mid-career professionals from developing countries to spend periods (typically three months) with a relevant UK host organisation in their field. Approximately 60 Fellowships are awarded each year.
Applications should be made by the UK host organisation, which can be from any sector. Organisations can nominate up to four individual candidates in each round. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2008, for fellowships which should be started by 12 January 2009 at the latest.
For more information about the Scheme and its terms and conditions, please see the Professional Fellowships page.
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