Date: 23 February 2024
Join fellow Scholars in the UK for a day of talks, discussions, and networking
The CSC Connect and Collaborate Event is the largest event in the CSC calendar and a chance to celebrate Scholars’ achievements and hear from inspirational speakers involved in the work of the CSC and the wider Commonwealth.
Scholars will have the chance to meet and share ideas with fellow Scholars based in the UK and showcase how their scholarship work is making a difference in the world. The programme will feature talks and interactive sessions throughout the day, as well as opportunities to network and forge lasting connections for future.
Event programme
- 09:00-10:00 – Registration and networking
- 10:00-11:30 – Morning talks
- 11:30-13:00 – Morning breakout session: Panel Discussions
- 13:00-14:00 – Lunch break
- 14:00-15:30 – Afternoon breakout session: Networking within your development theme
- 15:30-16:00 – Tea break
- 16:00-17:15 – Afternoon talks
- 17:30-19:00 – Reception
- 19:00 – Event close
Professor Robin Mason
Robin is the Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and the Accounting Officer of the CSC.
Robin is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Birmingham and is responsible for all aspects of the university’s global engagement. He is also the executive lead for LGBT+ equality in the University. He has held senior leadership positions in higher education since 2006 and has been a member of the executive board of two UK Russell Group universities. As Chair, Robin is responsible for ensuring the CSC makes good decisions (consistent with UK Government priorities) and for ensuring the Commission develops and implements an effective strategy. Robin is firmly committed to the mission of the CSC – to provide opportunities for talented and motivated young people who could not otherwise afford them – having himself been educated from the age of 11 thanks entirely to scholarships.
Robin’s academic research concentrates on the incentives faced by economic agents in situations where they have imperfect information about their environment. Formally, his area is game theory with incomplete information and learning. He is a decision-making Member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Financial Conduct Authority. He has acted as advisor to a number of regulators, in both the UK and internationally; to the Prime Minister of Mauritius on competition policy; and to a number of private-sector companies worldwide.
The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP
Andrew Mitchell was appointed as a Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 25 October 2022.
He was previously Secretary of State for International Development from May 2010 to September 2012. He was elected Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield on 7 June 2001.
Andrew was educated at Rugby School and Jesus College, Cambridge where he studied history and was President of the Union.
He served in the Royal Tank Regiment before joining Lazard, where he worked with British companies seeking large-scale overseas contracts.
After serving as a government whip between 1993 and 1995, Andrew served as Minister for Social Security from 1995 to 1997.
While in opposition, he was Shadow Minister for Economic Affairs from 2003 to 2004 and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs from 2004 to 2005. He then served as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development until the 2010 election.
