Throughout 2024, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) is celebrating 65 years of delivering Commonwealth Scholarships to candidates of outstanding academic achievement and leadership ability.
In April 2024, to mark its 65th anniversary, Commonwealth Alumni were invited to complete a census to take a snapshot of their current employment and other professional activities.
Since 1960, over 31,000 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships have been awarded to individuals across the Commonwealth to complete postgraduate and fellowship studies with a UK university or organisation. Following their studies, Commonwealth Alumni contribute to global sustainable development in a wide range of capacities and across multiple sectors, both nationally and internationally.
Understanding the long-term outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships on individuals, institutions, and communities and societies is an important part of the CSC’s work.
Insights from the census
The census was sent to 15,961 alumni. It was completed by 3,432 alumni, a response rate of 22%.
Census respondents represented 15 CSC programmes, 58 Commonwealth countries and territories (including those no longer in the Commonwealth), and every decade of Commonwealth Scholarships from the 1960s to 2020s. Respondents represented every annual cohort of scholars from 1960-2022.
In completing the census, 96% of respondents provided updated personal and/or employment details. 38% confirmed that the employment information held by the CSC was correct at the time of completing the census.
Key insights:
- The top 10 countries of origin of census respondents were Nigeria (13%), India (12%), Uganda (9%), Ghana, Kenya, Canada, Bangladesh (7%), Sri Lanka, Pakistan (4%), and Australia (3%).
- The top 10 countries of residence were UK (11%), India (9%), Nigeria, Uganda (8%), Canada, Kenya, Ghana (6%), Bangladesh (5%), Australia (4%), and Sri Lanka (3%).
- 76% of respondents reported to be living in the same region as their country of origin.
- 87% of respondents indicated they were employed in some form, including where employed and completing part-time studies.
- 5% of respondents reported that they were studying, completing further qualifications post-Commonwealth Scholarship and/or Fellowship.
- Education, human health & social work activities, and professional, scientific & technical activities were the top fields of employment selected by respondents.
- 62% of respondents were involved in charitable or community outreach activities and 21% held a public appointment.
- 508 respondents reported receiving an award or honour since 2019, when the last census was conducted.
The final section of the census was optional for respondents to complete. This section provided an opportunity for respondents to provide general reflections on their achievements and how they felt they had made a difference to their communities, countries and beyond as a result of their Commonwealth Scholarship and/or Fellowship.
Respondents were also asked to share their feedback on current alumni engagement opportunities provided by the CSC and to suggest ways to further develop this in future years.
Summary
The 65th Anniversary Commonwealth Alumni Census has enabled the CSC to engage with alumni in a key anniversary year and take a snapshot of the current employment status and impact of Commonwealth Scholars over the last 65 years.
The high response rate saw participation from alumni across all CSC programmes, regions and decades of the CSC’s 65-year history. Responses have shown that alumni are employed across a number of major sectors and fields, with the vast majority based in their home country or region. A significant number also hold or have held public appointments and there is a commendable charitable ethos amongst alumni through voluntary activities undertaken alongside employment and/or study.
Reflections on the personal and institutional and community impact of respondent’s Commonwealth Scholarship and/or Fellowship has provided insight into the types of contributions alumni are making across a range of sectors and fields and in their local communities, institutions and beyond.
The CSC thanks all Commonwealth Alumni who took part in the census and shared valuable updates and information to celebrate the CSC’s 65th anniversary.
