News
Read the latest news about the CSC community and find out more about our current Scholars and Fellows, Alumni and partners.
Latest News
Uniting indigenous knowledge and forest management expertise to safeguard Kenya’s Eburru Forest
In August 2023, Commonwealth Alumnus Sylvester Ngome Chisika delivered a sensitisation workshop to share ways of integrating traditional and indigenous methods of biodiversity conservation with modern forest management certification in Eburru Forest.
Breaking barriers for women offenders in Kenya
In September 2023, Commonwealth Alumnus Benson Mwangi Njongoro delivered a workshop in Nairobi to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women during and post-imprisonment, and improve their access to existing services and reintegration programmes. The workshop highlighted the gender-sensitive needs of women offenders and addressed the barriers and stigma they face.
Building ICT and Digital Skills in the Solomon Islands
In February 2024, the Solomon Islands Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni Associations (SICSAA) delivered a two-day STEM Awareness Basic ICT and Digital Skills Workshop at Kulu Community High School, North East Guadalcanal. The workshop aimed to address digital literacy in disadvantaged rural communities. The activity was organised by Commonwealth Scholar Martiza Nanau and supported by fellow Commonwealth Alumni from the Solomon Islands.
Strengthening gender equality in Ugandan schools
In October 2023, Commonwealth Alumnus Sarah Rachael Akello delivered a radio talk show and community-focused workshop to promote gender equality, raise awareness about diverse gender identities and associated challenges , and advocate for the provision of equal opportunities at the household and community level, and in schools and workplaces in Kaberemaido district, Uganda.
Interchange24: Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni come together at the third annual conference
Between 18-22 March 2024, the British Council, on behalf of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), hosted the fourth annual global conference for Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni, Interchange24. The five-day programme featured a mix of roundtable...
Maximising your Impact: Commonwealth Scholars build their skills at the CSC’s residential workshop
Between 22-24 March, the CSC welcomed 48 Commonwealth Scholars studying at Master’s level to its annual residential workshop at Cumberland Lodge, an educational charity in Windsor Great Park. The Maximising your Impact workshop focused on helping Scholars apply their...
Welcome Home Event for Commonwealth Scholars in Kenya
On 21 March, recently returned Commonwealth and Chevening Scholars from Kenya gathered in Nairobi to share their experiences studying in the UK and meet Commonwealth Alumni. As part of the event, representatives of the Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association Kenya...
Building One Resilient Common Future in Uganda
On 16 March, the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Alumni Association of Uganda (CSFAAU) hosted a panel discussion on, ‘Investing in women to accelerate progress’, to mark Commonwealth Day and the broader Commonwealth theme of ‘One resilient common future’....
Exploring Global Prosperity and Sustainable Development in India
On 16 March, the Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (ACSF) in India celebrated the founding of the association with a panel discussion on, ‘Global Prosperity - the three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic, and environmental’. Alongside...
Commonwealth Scholars unite at Connect and Collaborate 2024
On Friday 23 February the CSC hosted the annual Connect and Collaborate Event and welcomed over 350 Commonwealth Scholars to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London for a day of talks and discussions centred on development impact. Connect and Collaborate 2024 provided...
Latest Publications and Resources
Empowering Ugandan Citizens to Access Information, Engaging the Youth in Policy Making and Promoting Entrepreneurship
We are very pleased to share our latest case study, featuring Phionah Kanyorobe, a Commonwealth Alumnus whose developmental work cuts across three CSC Development Themes: Strengthening global peace, security and governance; Access, inclusion and opportunity; and Promoting global prosperity.
Promoting gender equality, improving access to justice, and promoting positive health outcomes for underserved communities: three new case studies
We are pleased to share the latest three alumni case studies, this time focused on the CSC Development Theme: Access, inclusion and opportunity. They join the twelve individual case studies published earlier this year demonstrating the outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships on international development across the six CSC Development Themes.
Expanding Horizons: The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Programme
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships were established in 2001 as part of an initiative designed to expand the modes of scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. To date, it has funded nearly 4,000 Scholars from 41 Commonwealth countries to study at 45 different higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.
Tackling corruption, addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development: three new case studies
The CSC brings you three new alumni Case Studies that vividly demonstrate how Commonwealth Alumni are applying the skills and knowledge sharpened on Scholarship to lead and influence change and to successfully deliver developmental activities that have improved livelihoods in their communities and beyond.
Exploring the developmental impact of Commonwealth Alumni: three new case studies
The CSC is excited to bring you three new Case Studies as part of our on-going work exploring the individual trajectories of Commonwealth Alumni. They complement the six case studies published earlier in 2022 and provide further evidence as to the wide-ranging impact of Commonwealth Alumni and the contribution their Commonwealth Scholarship has made to their developmental work.
Exploring Diary Methods to Measure the Outcomes and Impact of International Scholarships
The CSC Evaluation Team is always keen to explore more innovative ways to identify and measure the outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships. In 2019-2020 we conducted a trial and a pilot study to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using diary methods as a potential tool to collect information on the experiences, activities, and events of our alumni ‘in the moment’ following the Scholarship.
Knowledge, Networks and Development: 20 years of Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
‘In my career, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened’ said Dr Akinniyi Ayobami Adeleke, reflecting on the transformative impact of his CSC Professional Fellowship. As Head Librarian at Redeemer’s University in Nigeria, Dr Adeleke continually applies the advanced computer programming and management skills gained through his Fellowship at the University of East London towards the upgrading and modernisation of his university’s library services, as well as the upskilling of his colleagues.
Alumni Voices: Exploring the Outcomes and Impact of Commonwealth Scholarships
The CSC has long known that its Alumni go on to become change agents in their institutions and communities and that their Scholarships and Fellowships are a key contributor to this work. The establishment of the CSC’s dedicated Evaluation and Monitoring programme has facilitated the systematic gathering of evidence and data to support this knowledge, initially through surveys but increasingly through more innovative and rich methodologies including, most recently, a case study approach. This approach, as applied by the CSC, has involved investigation of individual Alumni trajectories through in-depth interviews, giving them an opportunity to share details of their experiences and developmental activities following the Scholarship. The case study approach allowed for a much more thorough investigation and understanding of the wider benefits of the Commonwealth Scholarships as well as the wide variety of contexts that have facilitated or hindered the achievement of Scholarship outcomes and impact.
CSC @ DHG 2021
After co-hosting the 10th Donor Harmonisation Group Forum in London in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and British Council, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission was pleased to attend the 11th Donor Harmonisation Group Forum in Basel,...
Experiences of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni: Enabling Factors and Barriers to Scholarship Impact
The CSC offers a wide range of Scholarships and Fellowships which provide opportunities for talented and motivated individuals from across the Commonwealth to gain knowledge and skills with the aim of contributing towards sustainable development. Over the years, data collected from the Commonwealth Alumni has reinforced anecdotal evidence that the wide variety of contexts that Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows return to can act as barriers or enabling factors (or in some cases both) when it comes to Alumni securing relevant employment, applying the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies to their full potential, and realising their potential for development impact.
