News
Read the latest news about the CSC community and find out more about our current Scholars and Fellows, Alumni and partners.
Joint Scholarships’ Climate Change Policy Hackathon Event has begun
On Monday 27 September until Friday 8 October, over 130 alumni from across the Chevening, CSC and Marshall scholarship programmes will work within their respective 38 teams to develop inventive and original policy proposals aimed at addressing the challenges presented...
Introducing the CSC’s Leaders in Sustainable Development programme 2021-22
The CSC’s Leaders in Sustainable Development programme aims to equip Commonwealth Scholars with the knowledge and skills to effect real development impact and become change-makers in their home countries. Through online training, interactive workshops, and resources...
CSC Mentoring Programme 2021-2022 – applications now open!
The CSC’s Mentoring Programme connects Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni to support knowledge, skills, development, and a practical understanding of how these can be implemented post-scholarship to achieve development impact. The CSC aims to pair current Scholars with...
Knowledge Hub webinar series: Volcano monitoring in the Eastern Caribbean
On Thursday 26 August 2021, the CSC Alumni Team hosted the latest webinar in the Knowledge Hub series. Commonwealth Alumnus Michal Camejo-Harry presented on the topic, ‘Volcano monitoring in the Eastern Caribbean: A chronicle of collaboration and resilience’. The...
Spotlighting the challenges of climate risk monitoring in rural Northern Pakistan
The frontline of the climate crisis is experienced most acutely by those who live on the margins - geographically, socially, and economically. In Pakistan, rural communities in the mountainous north are often the hardest hit and the least reported on. As Commonwealth...
Introducing CSC’s Climate Action webinar series
Between 25 October – 19 November 2021, the CSC Alumni Team will host a programme of webinars, delivered by Commonwealth Alumni, on their work, research, and contributions to tackling the climate crisis. 14 webinars are scheduled to take place as part of the ‘Climate...
Knowledge Hub webinar series: developing solar technology to achieve net zero targets
On Thursday 29 July 2021, the CSC Alumni Team hosted the latest webinar in the Knowledge Hub series with Commonwealth Alumnus, Dr Vishal Sharma presenting on the ‘Development of printable solar photovoltaic devices towards achieving net zero targets’. The webinar...
Connecting communities- applications for the Alumni Community Engagement Fund are now open!
The CSC’s Alumni Community Engagement Fund (ACEF) is an annual fund which seeks to support Commonwealth Alumni in raising awareness of key development issues at the community level through the organisation of an engagement activity. This year, the CSC will be offering...
Parliamentary Event for Commonwealth Scholars 2021
On 7 July 2021, the CSC and Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) Support Group hosted the virtual Parliamentary Event for Commonwealth Scholars, featuring talks by UK Parliamentarians and discussion with Scholars on topics ranging from international...
Applications for the CSC Alumni Advisory Panel now open!
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK invites Commonwealth Alumni to apply to become a panel member on the CSC Alumni Advisory Panel. The panel will provide a platform for Commonwealth Alumni to support the future of the programme and its Scholars by...
Findings of the 2021 Alumni Engagement Survey
In May 2021, Commonwealth Alumni were invited to share their feedback on activities delivered through the CSC’s Alumni Network between April 2018 and March 2021 as part of an ongoing review to inform the development of future activities and opportunities for alumni....
Knowledge Hub webinar series: drone technology and agricultural development
On Wednesday 30 June 2021, the CSC Alumni Team hosted the latest webinar in the Knowledge Hub series, featuring Commonwealth Alumnus Femi Adekoya on the benefits of adopting drone technology in the Nigerian agricultural sector. The webinar addressed the CSC theme,...
Learning more about the Commonwealth Split-site programme
The CSC has proudly offered Scholarships for Split-site doctoral study for over twenty years and is delighted to announce the launch of the 2021 programme. Since 1998, this programme has provided a unique opportunity for more than 500 Commonwealth Scholars studying...
CSC Farewell Event 2021 for Commonwealth Scholars
On 2 July 2021, the CSC held its annual Farewell Event for Commonwealth Scholars approaching the end of their scholarship. This year’s virtual event provided a forum to celebrate Scholars’ achievements, enabling Scholars to reflect on their scholarship experiences and...
A virtual site visit meeting with this year’s Commonwealth Professional Fellows
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s 2020/21 Professional Fellowship Programme drew applications from mid-career professionals from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to spend between six weeks and three months at a UK Host organisation working in...
Commonwealth Scholars speak out on the future of international tertiary education
From 15-17 June 2021, the British Council hosted the virtual conference Going Global 2021, which this year was focused on the theme ‘Reimagining international tertiary education for a post-pandemic world’. Going Global is a conference on international education that...
The CSC hosts a climate change and sustainable development workshop in the lead up to COP26
On Friday 28 May, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Chevening co-hosted a workshop focusing on climate change, sustainable development, and climate mitigation delivered by climate and international development specialist and Managing Director of AccessEd,...
The CSC Alumni Community Engagement Fund 2020-2021
The CSC’s Alumni Community Engagement Fund (ACEF) supports Commonwealth Alumni in raising awareness of key development issues at the community level through an event or engagement activity. Each year, the CSC selects the focus themes and invite alumni to draw on their...
In conversation with Dr Awino Okech on gender and sexual rights
On Tuesday 18 May, we were pleased to welcome Dr Awino Okech, Reader in Gender Studies at SOAS, University of London, to discuss her research on gender and sexual rights with Commonwealth Scholars and staff from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The...
Knowledge Hub webinar series: strengthening tax governance in Nigeria
On Friday 23 April 2021, the CSC Alumni Team hosted the latest webinar in the series featuring Commonwealth Alumnus Uzochukwu Alutu on the benefits of rigorous tax governance and the obstacles facing policymakers in Nigeria. The webinar addressed the CSC development...
Tackling inequality through inclusive economic policies in Pakistan
Understanding the causes of inequality is vital to providing policy solutions that can tackle them. Earlier this year, we spoke to Osama Rizvi, 2020 Shared Scholar from Pakistan studying MSc Global Political Economy at Goldsmiths, University of London, about his...
The CSC marks 20 years of Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
The CSC is proud to have supported over 3,000 exceptional scholars to undertake Commonwealth Scholarships by Distance Learning over the last two decades. Since the first awards were offered in 2002, Scholars from 41 countries across the Commonwealth have benefitted,...
Call for CSC Alumni climate webinar speakers
The UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) will take place in Glasgow, UK, from 1-12 November 2021, and will bring together over 30,000 delegates, including heads of state, climate experts, and campaigners, to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. As...
The CSC is launching the CSC Research Impact Awards to celebrate the research of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni
In May 2021, the CSC will launch the Research Impact Awards (RIA), designed to celebrate the research and publication endeavours of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni at the early and mid-career researcher stages. Open to current doctoral Commonwealth Scholars and...
Commonwealth Alumni share impact stories at Interchange 21
On 8 and 9 March 2021, the British Council hosted Interchange 21, a new online engagement event for Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni, organised on behalf of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). The objective of Interchange 21 was to create a space...
Inspired to make a difference: stories from three Commonwealth Shared Scholars studying at Oxford Brookes
Every year the CSC works with over 50 UK universities to provide Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for applicants from low- and middle-income countries. In collaboration with our university partners, we help to enhance internationalisation within UK higher education...
The CSC launches a special Professional Fellowship programme to champion Girls’ Education
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid...
Commonwealth Day 2021: a roundtable webinar for Alumni in Nigeria
To mark Commonwealth Day 2021, the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria (COSFAN) and the Chevening Alumni Association of Nigeria (CAAN) delivered a joint roundtable webinar, entitled ‘Alternative Narratives in Irregular Migration Among Young...
Post-scholarship impact event with Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni
In February, Commonwealth Scholars from London and the South East region came together for a special event to enhance academic networking and highlight the impact that research students can make after their studies. The event was jointly organised by the Regional...
Commonwealth Day 2021: Alumni in Nigeria celebrate with community engagement events
Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth. Each year, Commonwealth Day focuses on a particular theme and for 2021 this coincided with the set theme for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held...
Using climate models to predict extreme weather and tackle climate change in India
The COP26 summit in November 2021 will be a landmark occasion to drive action and consolidate international commitments on climate change. With many Commonwealth Scholars playing an integral role in climate research and initiatives, this year is sure to be a momentous...
Celebrating the achievements of returning Scholars in Ghana
On 19-20 February, a two-day reintegration workshop was held for recently returned Ghanaian Commonwealth Scholars. The workshop was aimed at equipping Scholars with key information to support them in adapting back into their homes, communities, and workplace following...
Connect and Communicate: bringing together alumni across the Caribbean
On Saturday 20 February, the CSC Alumni Team, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholars Alumni Association Jamaica (CSAAJ), held the first online regional event for Commonwealth Alumni based in the Caribbean. The event aimed to bring together alumni from across...
Development and the media: empowering marginalised groups through solutions journalism
Journalism offers a way to inform and empower people and reframe the narrative around the developmental challenges they face. In December, we spoke to Hamna Iqbal Baig, a 2020 Commonwealth Scholar studying MA Multimedia Journalism at the University of Kent, about what...
Dr Dominique Thompson leads wellbeing workshops for Commonwealth Scholars
On 29 January we held the first of our wellbeing workshops on 'Coping with the ups and downs, when life gets difficult' for Commonwealth Scholars led by Dr Dominique (Dom) Thompson, an award GP and mental health expert with over 20 years of clinical experience caring...
Make the most of your Scholarship in 2021
Happy New Year to all Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows! At the CSC, we understand that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year was marked with numerous challenges to your Scholarship experience, and we have had to find new ways of connecting with each other. Over the...
Resilience, sustainability and leadership: hope and possibilities
On 19 December 2020, the Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (ACSF) in India, with support from the British Council in India, organised a virtual panel discussion to mark the association’s 5th anniversary. The theme of the panel was ‘Resilience,...
CSC Welcome Event for Commonwealth Scholars
On 11 December the CSC held its virtual Welcome Event for new Commonwealth Scholars who began their master’s courses this term. The Welcome Event was hosted by Richard Middleton, Chair of the CSC, and featured guest speakers Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, Dr Dominique...
Information day for prospective Commonwealth Scholarship applicants in South Africa
On 7 December, the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni of South Africa (CoSFA-SA) hosted an online ‘Virtual Scholarship Information’ session, designed to provide guidance to potential Commonwealth Scholarship applicants on the application process and to offer an...
Supporting entrepreneurs to thrive in Cameroon
In Cameroon, small- and medium-sized enterprises can struggle to secure investment to help their businesses and communities develop. We spoke to Femshang Muanze Charles, 2020 Commonwealth Scholar studying MSc Entrepreneurship Financing at Henley Business School,...
Celebrating the achievements of returning Scholars in India
On 22 November 2020, the British Council in India and Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (ACSF) India, held an online 'Welcome Back' event for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows who had recently completed their studies in the UK. The event introduced...
Disability inclusion and student engagement at The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
As an international scholarship programme, funding around 750 scholarships and fellowships per year, the CSC recognises that it has an important role to play in providing a further increase in equal opportunities for potential scholars. For several years now the CSC...
COVID-19 and the growing inequality in the West and Southern Africa region: Finding solutions to improve access to healthcare
The British Council, on behalf of the CSC, is developing a series of online panel discussions related to the CSC’s development themes for Commonwealth Alumni across the West and Southern Africa region. These online panel discussions will enable networking amongst...
Gender equality in work: Commonwealth Alumni in Pakistan address experiences of discrimination
On 29 October 2020, the British Council Pakistan and the Pakistan Alumni Association of Commonwealth Scholars (PAACS) held an online panel discussion on the topic of ‘Gender Issues in Employment’. Addressing common issues of gender discrimination in the workplace, the...
Commissioner Recruitment advert live on Public Appointment system
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is seeking to appoint four new members of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). Appointed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioners...
Knowledge Hub webinar series
The CSC’s Knowledge Hub webinar series was launched in July 2020 and provides a platform for members of the CSC’s Knowledge Hubs to interact and discuss key topics related to the six CSC development themes. The overall aim of the CSC webinar series is to support and...
COVID-19 and the growing inequality in the West and Southern Africa region: Finding solutions to improve access to healthcare
The British Council, on behalf of the CSC, is developing a series of online panel discussions related to the CSC’s development themes for Commonwealth Alumni across the West and Southern Africa region. These online panel discussions will enable networking amongst...
Virtual meet ups for our new Commonwealth Scholars!
The 2020-21 academic year is now well under way and we believe September and October was the perfect time to get to know our Scholars and welcome them to the CSC family. We decided to hold a series of informal virtual meet ups, as a space where Scholars are able to...
Looking after health and wellbeing on World Mental Health Day
On World Mental Health Day, our Senior Welfare and Immigration Officer, Ratha Senthinathan, considers why good mental health is essential for a successful scholarship experience and highlights the support Scholars can access whilst studying. Taking care of your mental...
CSC Farewell event 2020 for Commonwealth Scholars
On 7 September 2020 the CSC held its virtual Farewell event for departing Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows to celebrate their achievements and look ahead to their prospects as Commonwealth alumni