The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, with a programme of events to celebrate past achievements and consider future challenges.

The CSC manages Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which also turns 50 in the same year. Set up at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959, the Plan has enabled over 24,000 Commonwealth citizens to study in other Commonwealth countries.

2008

CSC Welcome Day for new Scholars and official launch of the 50th Anniversary celebrations – Westminster Central Hall, London

• Photos from the Day can be viewed on Flickr

2009

Anniversary conference for current award holders – Cumberland Lodge, Windsor

31 March-1 April

'Commonwealth Educational Co-operation: Looking Ahead at 50' – University of Oxford (in collaboration with the Council for Education in the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth Secretariat)

23 April

Reception and launch of the second Directory of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows – Marlborough House, London

1 June

Publication of Learning Abroad: A History of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan by Hilary Perraton, former Deputy Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

15-19 June

Launch of the Endowment Fund appeal – 17CCEM (Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4 September

Reception and launch of a publication to mark the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) – Parliament Buildings, New Zealand

2 October

CSFP 50th anniversary reception – National University of Singapore

29 October

Reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program – Ottawa, Canada

9 November

CSC Welcome Day for new Scholars and Fellows

• Photos from the Day can be viewed on Flickr

11-13 November

50 years of Commonwealth Scholarships celebration – Cumberland Lodge, Windsor

Activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Commonwealth Scholarships will take place all over the world - we will try to list as many as possible on this page. Canada and New Zealand also have 50th anniversary webpages.

Did you know?

• Over 16,000 Scholars and Fellows have been funded by the UK government since 1960.
• UK Commonwealth scholarships have been awarded to citizens of all the Commonwealth countries.
• 983 people have people have been able to study for a UK degree whilst remaining in their home country, thanks to the CSC’s innovative Distance Learning programme.
• The CSC launched its Professional Fellowships scheme in 2002, enabling over 300 mid-career professionals from developing countries to spend time with a UK host organisation in the same field.