This section provides a quick and effective way to keep up-to-date with the CSFP community, which encompasses current award holders, alumni, the national agencies that support them, and their host organisations. This section will be updated regularly.

We welcome items for possible inclusion. These can be success stories, opinions, events, or any other announcements that might be of interest to the community. The entries should be concise - no more than 100 words. We will, of course, be happy to direct readers to further sources of information. Given the size of the CSFP community, it may not be possible to include every item that is submitted. The site managers, therefore, reserve the right to edit or reject material at their discretion. Please note that promotional material will not normally be accepted unless it contains information that is likely to be of particular benefit to readers.

To submit information for inclusion on the website, please email alumni@cscuk.org.uk

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.

MARCH 2008

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.

MARCH 2008

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.

FEBRUARY 2008

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.

FEBRUARY 2008

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:

JANUARY 2008

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.

SEPTEMBER 2007

NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK
The new Science and Technology network will be launched at a weekend seminar at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, on 14-16 December and current scholars are invited to attend. The focus will be on the theme of “Science and Technology: Increasing the Benefit to Wider Society.” A full programme will be available in late November.

We hope that the audience will include a mix of scholars, at an early stage of their career, and fellows whose career is already established.  As with previous seminars, the Commission will meet all reasonable travel costs for award holders, together with accommodation and meals. The venue is located about 40 minutes drive from central London, from where a return coach will be available for those delegates wishing to use it.

Unfortunately, places at the seminar will be limited to about seventy.  In the event that places are over subscribed, priority will be given to those whose awards are nearing their end.  If you would like to join us, please e-mail the below form to Selina Hannaford at selina.hannaford@cscuk.org.uk by no later than 9 November 2007. Please state on the form whether you would like to offer a presentation. Successful applicants will receive confirmation and the full programme in advance.

Registration Form

VACANCIES FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS
The Commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting up to six new members, to take up their posts on various dates between December 2007 and June 2008, in order to replace retiring Commissioners and maintain a total membership of fifteen. It is anticipated that one of the new appointments will assume the role of Chair in December 2008, on the retirement of the current Chair. Applications are welcome from all subject areas, and the majority of appointees will have demonstrable interest in, and experience of, international development issues and/or academic issues. Other desirable attributes would include experience of Commonwealth affairs or working in Commonwealth countries, financial expertise and knowledge of international relations. Candidates should be UK citizens.

Further details will be posted on the website within the next few months.

PLANS FOR THE CSC/CSFP 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2009
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2009. The CSFP was set up in 1959 at the first Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM), establishing the key principles under which CSFP still operates today, and the first award holders arrived the following year. The Commission is currently making plans for the Anniversary celebrations and further details will be available shortly on our website and in the next edition of Commonwealth Scholarships News.

THE U8

What is the U8? It’s a worldwide student-run organisation which aims to build a global partnership for development, in line with Millennium Development Goal 8. The name the U8 also makes an ironic reference to the G8, which by its very nature is exclusive and does not include those who are affected by the outcomes of its decisions. The U8 is a world-wide, inclusive and unbounded platform for students interested in matters of development.

More details on the U8 can be found here

ALUMNI IN ACTION

CHILDHOOD DISEASES: Dr A S Narayana (Commonwealth Medical Fellow, University of Wales, 1971-1972) is Chief Executive of the Sai Oral Health Foundation, a non-profit, voluntary organisation that aims to improve the health of impoverished people, particularly from rural and tribal areas, and especially children of school age. The Foundation is currently working on the provision of defluoridation plants and rainwater harvesting structures in Andhra Pradesh, India.

ALUMNUS RESEARCHES ALZHEIMER’S TREATMENT: Dr Pulok Mukherjee (Commonwealth Fellow, King’s College London, 2005-2006) is currently working on the development of natural medicine to treat Alzheimer’s disease, in his position as Director of the School of Natural Product Studies at Jadavpur University, India. This joint project with the Department of Pharmacy, King’s College London, UK, looks at the efficacy of plants used in Ayurvedic treatments to treat Alzheimer's disease, and recently featured on the BBC news website.

FORMER SCHOLAR’S PHD DATA UPLOADED TO DATABASE: Protein data gathered by Dr Amam Zonaed Siddiki, (Commonwealth Scholar, PhD in Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow and University of Liverpool, 2002-2006) during his PhD studies has been accepted by the CryptoDb database, an online worldwide research resource. Dr Siddiki’s data is the first analysis of a deadly worm which is responsible for deaths in many developing countries worldwide. He is now Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Chittagong University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bangladesh.

ALUMNUS APPOINTED VICE-CHANCELLOR: Dr Professor Malcolm Gillies (Commonwealth Scholar, MMus in Music, King’s College London, 1978-81) has recently been appointed Vice Chancellor of City University, London, UK. Professor
Gillies has had several high-profile positions in his home country of Australia, including President of both the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Musicological Society of Australia, Deputy Vice- Chancellor and Vice-President of the Australian National University, and Chair of the Australian Youth Orchestra.

JULY 2007

COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARS XI V RHODES SCHOLARS XI CRICKET MATCH: COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARS BEATEN BY THE RAIN, AND SOME GOOD CRICKET
Peter Munro, former Commonwealth Scholar (PhD in Electromagnetic Modelling, Imperial College London, 2002-2006) and member of the Commonwealth Scholars cricket team, reports on this year’s match against Rhodes.
Those of you who are new to the United Kingdom will have, no doubt, realised by now that the weather here is very variable, as well as a favoured topic of conversation amongst residents. In keeping with this, the fifth annual cricket match between the Commonwealth Scholars and Rhodes scholars took place under extremely trying and at times ridiculous weather conditions. But we managed to have a great day.

The match, played in Oxford on 21 July 2007, was somewhat of a decider with the Commonwealth and Rhodes teams having won two matches each and the former looking to win their third match in succession. Tanzil Rahman, a veteran of the Commonwealth side and captain on the day, found himself in the desirable and yet unusual position of having more than 11 players to choose from. This was somewhat surprising since many roads and railway lines were closed due to the recent heavy rains. It is hoped that this interest and commitment to the team prevails next year!

The decision was taken to play on an artificial wicket as it was too wet to use a turf wicket. The Commonwealth side fielded first and it wasn’t long before the ball was waterlogged. The Rhodes team made a good start before a breakthrough was eventually made via a run out. A few of the Rhodes top order batsmen made the retirement score of 40; however, they were allowed to continue their innings as the Commonwealth side eventually had the Rhodes team 9 wickets down. The Commonwealth innings did not start well, losing both openers relatively early on. Only one batsman, Guru Joshi, made a half century, which was the only score of note made by the Commonwealth side. Fortunately, several players rallied around Guru and batted with him; however, the side never recovered from the early loss of wickets. The weather actually fined up for the Rhodes fielding team and in the end the Rhodes total was just too great – 217/9 in 30 overs against 153/9 – and they moved ahead to a 3-2 lead in the annual matches.

The barbecue afterwards was once again brilliantly organised by Tanzil. Everyone had a great time despite it raining for the entire evening and it was a testament to the good spirit under which the match was played. Thanks go to Tanzil, for the effort that he has put into organising the last two very enjoyable matches, Francis King, who as umpire arguably had the toughest job having to spend both innings in the rain, and all the people who turned up (or attempted to turn up) to play or observe! The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission also deserves a big thank you for making the day possible. Finally, thanks to the Rhodes players for once again giving us a great match – let’s see if we can make it 3-3 next year!

CSFP GET-TOGETHER IN NEW ZEALAND
Dr Norman Geddes (Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner) hosted a Commonwealth Scholarships function at Victoria University, New Zealand, on 11 July 2007. Among the guests were alumni and Scholars from the UK, Sierra Leone and Mauritius as well as from New Zealand, representing the whole Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. George Fergusson (British High Commissioner to New Zealand), Paula Middleton (Director, British Council), Professor Pat Walsh (Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University), and Lindsay Taiaroa, Dr Charles Tustin and Kiri Manuera from the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee also attended. The miserable weather conditions outside were hardly noticed as the guests enjoyed good food, wine and conversation.
Dr Geddes hinted at the possibility of a larger function to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the scheme in 2009.

IMPACT OF SCHOLARSHIPS DEBATED

‘Commonwealth Scholarships: common benefit or private gain?’ was the topic of discussion at an evening debate held by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with the CSC on 3 July 2007.

A panel consisting of Professor Trudy Harpham (Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission), Leslie Kelly (current Commonwealth Scholar) and Professor Lord Desai (Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics) discussed the benefits that scholarships have on an individual, and how this can translate into a wider impact on society. A lively question and answer session followed, chaired by Sir Brian Donnelly (Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner), where attendees asked the panellists for their views on, among other subjects, brain drain, the relevance of international scholarships, and the prospects offered by distance learning.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION DISTANCE LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2006 the Commission was awarded GBP 1.8 million of extra funding by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to support up to a further 200 distance learning courses tenable in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically for courses in health and education. The present funding covers 11 courses at eight institutions with up to 30 awards on offer per course. The courses funded are:

• Leeds Metropolitan University: MSc Public Health
• University of Manchester: MSc Bioinformatics
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: MSc Epidemiology, MSc Infectious Diseases, MSc Public Health
• University College London: MSc International Primary Health Care
• University of Dundee: Master of Nursing and Master of Palliative Care
• Institute of Education: MA Education and International Development
• University of Bolton: Master of Education (Technical and Vocational Education)
• London South Bank University: MSc Education for Sustainability

The CSC has currently only been awarded funding to support one cohort of students, who will commence study in September 2007. No decision has as yet been made regarding future cohorts.

PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP SELECTIONS FOR 2007
The Professional Fellowships Sub-Committee recently selected 66 candidates for Professional Fellowships in 2007/2008. The successful candidates, representing 16 different Commonwealth countries, will each undertake short (1-3 month) placements within UK organisations including NGOs, local councils and private sector companies. Around 45 fellows will come to the UK in late 2007, with a further 20 taking up their fellowships at the beginning of 2008.

The deadline for applications for 2008/2009 Professional Fellowships is 30 April 2008. Application forms and guidance notes will be available on the Commission’s website (www.cscuk.org.uk) in early 2008. Please note that the Commission cannot accept applications from individual candidates; the application must come from a nominating UK organisation. For further information, please email professional.fellowships@cscuk.org.uk

CANADA EXTENDS SUPPORT
Canada has confirmed continuing support for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) until at least 2011. The announcement, in January, came following a period of review of several scholarship programmes by the Treasury Board. One of the most immediate implications of the new support was the introduction, on an experimental basis, of a new strand of postdoctoral Fellowships for UK citizens to work at Canadian universities. In another new initiative, Canada has announced support for a new history of the CSFP, to be published in conjunction with the fiftieth anniversary in 2009.

MAY 2007

PCF5 LAUNCHES IN LONDON

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) launched its Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF5) in London on 17 May 2007, in front of an audience representing education institutions, governments, development agencies and Commonwealth organisations.

Conference Co-Chairs Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, and Sir John Daniel, President and CEO of COL, spoke at the event, which aimed to engage education and development communities in discussion about how open and distance learning (ODL) can help achieve international development goals and education for all. Sir John spoke about the conference’s ambitious targets to sponsor fully at least one in six delegates to PCF5, and that the University of London and the UK Open University have committed to sponsoring 40 delegates from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and small island states.

The conference theme ‘Access to Learning for Development’ will focus on four key areas:

• Governance, conflict and social justice
• Health
• Livelihoods
• Provision for children and young people.

The keynote speaker at the launch event was Professor Abdul Waheed Khan, Assistant Director General for Communications and Information, UNESCO and former Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, India. Professor Khan commented that globally the MDGs were not going to be met, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia in particular need of assistance. More controversially perhaps, he suggested that, whilst universities make policymakers for government and train professionals and business leaders, conventional approaches to education cannot not deliver the MDGs; instead, it is necessary to educate policymakers to the notion that ODL, through interaction, hands-on training and group work, provides a real opportunity for universities to use technology and innovation to mass educate people with a good mixture of skills and to teach them the ability to think critically. This will lead to knowledge, freedom of expression, inclusion, diversity and empowerment.

Running from 13-17 July 2008, PCF5 will be hosted by COL in partnership with the University of London as part of its celebration of 150 years of external studies.

The Programme Committee is now inviting proposals for contributions to the conference. The conference website at www.col.org/pcf5 has guidelines and information about how you can submit a proposal and full details of the conference themes. It also contains information about guest speakers, registration, the venue, accommodation and travelling to London. For further information on PCF5 please email cde@london.ac.uk To contact COL on other matters, please email info@col.org.

ALUMNI RECEPTION IN KENYA
Some 75 current and former Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, along with guests from Kenyan universities and the private sector, attended a reception hosted by Professor Tim Unwin (Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner) at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, on 28 May 2007.
Speeches by Professor Unwin, Adam Wood (British High Commissioner to Kenya) and David Siele (Director of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya) emphasised the diversity and significance of scholarships and collaboration between UK and Kenyan higher education institutions. Alumnus Simon Kang’ethe, from the East African Herbarium at the National Museums of Kenya, discussed his Commonwealth Professional Fellowship at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, in 2003. The reception provided a valuable opportunity for distance learning students to meet UK colleagues, and for alumni to meet and discover more about the Commission’s work.

EVALUATION SEMINAR AT CUMBERLAND LODGE
From 4th-6th May 2007 at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor, the Commission held an event designed to 'Measure the impact of capacity building for development', including the evaluation of Scholarships and Fellowships. The event, comprising presentations and discussion sessions, included a variety of speakers including Commissioners and representatives from the World Bank Institute, the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC), the New Zealand Vice-Chancellor’s Committee and the Department for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada.  View details.

APRIL 2007

NEW SELECTIONS FOR 2007
A total of 339 scholarships are being awarded for 2007 entry at UK universities. These can be broken down into the following categories of award:

209 General Scholarships for students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees.

60 Commonwealth Fellowships. These support the cost of up to six months’ work in the United Kingdom for university staff in certain developing Commonwealth countries.

39 Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarships.
Candidates for this award are drawn from Higher Education institutions within certain developing countries.

31 Split-site Doctorate Scholarships. Available to those studying for a PhD in developing Commonwealth countries, these scholarships support attendance for one year at a UK university, under the joint supervision of a home country and a
UK supervisor.

MARCH 2007

ALUMNI AND DISTANCE LEARNING EVENT AT THE ZAMBIAN HIGH COMMISSION

On the 28th March 2007, Professor Ann Floyd (Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner) and Alistair Harrison (British High Commissioner to Zambia) co-hosted a reception for Zambian alumni and Distance Learning Schoalrsh studying Health Promotion and Environmental Health at Chainama College of Health Sciences, Zambia and Leed Metropolitan University, UK.  Representatives from the Department for International Development, the British Council and Zambian universities also attended.

Some alumni had travelled quite a distance to attend, keen to chat about their work.  One alumnus, Professor Richard Siaciwena, has made a significant impact as Director of the Directorate of Distance Education at the University of Zambia.

The High Commissioner spoke about the importance of the Commonwealth and his personal experience of taking a distance learning course.  Professor Floyd talked about the recent diversification of the Commission's schemes and how distance learning makes an immediate difference, as people study while in employment.  Professor Floyd noted the impact this had upon the Chainama scholars who were buzzing with ideas!

CSC LAUNCHES NEW GENDER NETWORK
The Commission is pleased to announce the launch of the latest Professional Network – the Gender network. The aim of this network is to facilitate discussion amongst those connected with the CSC who are affected by issues of gender, particularly our female academic award holders, to enable them to share ideas and experiences and enhance career progression.

The Gender newsletter covers current news and reports, forthcoming international events and conferences, as well as publications and education. The network was launched at the ‘Gender and Career Development’ event at Cumberland Lodge at the end of March 2007.

To join the network, visit the Professional Networks page.

OBSERVANCE FOR COMMONWEALTH DAY, 12TH MARCH 2007
On a bright spring afternoon, Westminster Abbey hosted the thirtieth annual Commonwealth Day observance. In the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, dignitaries from all corners of the Commonwealth were treated to a colourful celebration of the values and principles laid out in the six affirmations central to the Commonwealth community.

This year’s theme of ‘Respecting difference, promoting understanding’ aimed to cross religious boundaries by bringing together the Commonwealth and fostering its distinctive character. Keynote speakers included Anne Gallagher, a nurse who has witnessed the Northern Ireland Troubles at firsthand, and Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. The South African tenor Siphiwo Ntshebe filled the Abbey with a medley of traditional African songs and all enjoyed a collaborative performance of ‘A New Life’ by Embaire International and the Asian Dance Group. Several Commonwealth Scholars and Secretariat staff attended the service.

FEBRUARY 2007

NEW AWARD ADMINISTRATORS
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Fedorcio and Selina Hannaford to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s Secretariat as Award Administrators. Sarah and Selina took up their posts in February 2007.