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. These three case studies demonstrate how alumni are using the skills and knowledge honed on their Scholarship to promote global peace and security and inclusion of marginalised groups, support conservation and sustainable consumption, and to bridge the gender gap in science and technology in their local communities and beyond. We are grateful to them all for taking the time to share their work with us and hope you will enjoy reading them!

Humanitarian Innovation and Refugee Protection in East Africa and Yemen

‘I read for a PhD with the Commonwealth Scholarship. The skills of research design and implementation, as well as presentation of an argument, and the networking required to undertake PhD research are all valuable skills that I deploy often in my role as Regional Head of Advocacy and Analysis for an international humanitarian organisation. When we write a briefing note or a document, it is an evidence-based argument for why certain things need to happen to save lives and improve livelihoods for refugees. And the skills that I developed in undertaking a research PhD are hugely important in terms of being able to identify the conceptual spine of an argument.’ (Dr Jeremy Gareth Taylor, South Africa, PhD 2012)

Read Dr Jeremy Gareth Taylor’s Case Study

Preserving Marine Life and Livelihoods in Bangladesh through Innovative Research and Conservation

‘One of the significant impacts of my Scholarship and Fellowship awards has been advancing science in animal genomics. The example is our hilsa fish genomics work where our team decoded the whole draft genome for the first time in Bangladesh and elsewhere with the co-ordinated efforts of Bangladeshi experts from different disciplines. The development of local capacity for doing such research is a milestone in advanced molecular research.’ (Prof Mohd Golam Quader Khan, Bangladesh, PhD 2007)

Read Dr Mohd Golam Quader Khan’s Case Study 

Bridging the Gender Gap in Education and Science in Cameroon

‘In my research team, each time we go on field work, nine out of ten times I’m the only female on the team. The knowledge that I have from my MSc helped me to easily fit into the research team. A lot of us [women in science] grew up in a setting where we joined the science field without mentorship. So, we are just finding our feet as we go along. As part of the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network, we encourage young females to follow their dreams in science. This network has given hundreds of students from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Zambia a hands-on experience with scientific techniques, as well as an opportunity to interact with female role models in the field, while also promoting a peer-to-peer support network of female veterinary scientists in Africa.’ (Dr Glory Enjong Mbah, Cameroon, MSc 2011)

Read Dr Glory Enjong Mbah’s Case Study