On Thursday 13 February the CSC held its annual Connect and Collaborate event at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. The event brought together Commonwealth Scholars studying at universities across the UK for a day of discussion and networking centred on development impact. This year, we welcomed notable alumni Dr Lin Cherurbai Sambili-Gicheha (The Commonwealth Secretariat, 2016 Commonwealth Scholar from Kenya) and Professor Tim Soutphommasane (University of Oxford, 2004 Commonwealth Scholar from Australia) as keynote speakers. We were also delighted to welcome Lord Collins of Highbury, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa), as a guest speaker from our sponsor department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The power of sport
The event was hosted by the CSC Chair, Professor Robin Mason ORB, who celebrated Scholars’ commitment to making a difference in the world and enriching UK higher education. Professor Mason thanked everyone involved in supporting the CSC’s work, from the nominating agencies that select candidates to the Commissioners who review applications and the UK universities which host Commonwealth Scholars. Professor Mason also gave special thanks to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office which sponsors the CSC’s work and support in numerous areas.
Following on from Professor Mason, Lord Collins commended Scholars’ dedication and hard work, and congratulated them on receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship from among the thousands of people who applied each year. Responding to the energy in the room, Lord Collins urged Scholars to be bold and lead from the front in bringing positive change to their countries and communities.
Next, Dr Lin Cherurbai Sambili-Gicheha, Advisor in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) at The Commonwealth Secretariat, delivered the morning keynote address on the role that sport can play in creating peaceful and cohesive societies. Dr Sambili-Gicheha spoke candidly about the challenges of her role, working with disaffected young people in environments where terrorist and criminal organisations operate, and the rewards of seeing people’s live flourish through access to sport. Dr Sambili-Gicheha encouraged Scholars to seek out new challenges and draw on the Commonwealth network to achieve their goals.
Development in depth
After the morning talks, Scholars attended development-themed panel discussions which each corresponded to a CSC development theme and brought together a range of expert speakers.
The panels discussed a variety of topics including crisis management strategies, bridging the digital divide, citizen-led social enterprise, good governance, public health alternatives to lockdowns, and the role of AI in sustainable development.
Networking for impact
In the afternoon, Scholars joined a workshop to support their networking and collaboration skills led by staff the CSC and Commissioners.
The session focused on creating and strengthening networks to enable Scholars to work effectively across disciplines and sectors and apply their knowledge to solve complex challenges.
Strength in diversity
Following the workshop, Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer and Professor of Practice in Human Rights at the University of Oxford, delivered the afternoon keynote address which reflected on his time as a Commonwealth Scholar in Oxford and the lessons he learnt from the experience.
Professor Soutphommasane spoke passionately and humorously about developing his cultural intelligence and ability to communicate clearly while in the UK, as well as learning to interrogate ideas of nationhood and identity. Looking back, Professor Soutphommasane acknowledged that his Commonwealth Scholarship had not only transformed his career path but had made him a better person.
Professor Soutphommasane concuded by calling on Scholars not to lose sight of their values and to use their knowledge and skills for a good purpose in the years to come.
Celebrating Scholars’ achievements
The event ended with a vote of thanks by Remi Olusoga (Commonwealth Master’s Scholar from Nigeria studying at the University of Sussex), before a reception for Scholars and invited guests.
The CSC was very pleased to welcome special guests from the FCDO, Commonwealth High Commissions, and UK universities to this year’s event.
