On 30 January 2024, recently returned Commonwealth Scholars from Nigeria joined a virtual welcome event to share their UK study experiences and plan the next steps in their personal and professional development. They were joined by Emma Hennessey, Head of Scholarships at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Alumni and representatives from the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN).
Following the welcome and introductions, Commonwealth Alumnus Adewale Adeniyi, Project Manager, RusellSmith (2021 Commonwealth Shared Scholar) delivered a session on ‘LinkedIn Optimisation and Positioning for Career Growth’. He advised recently returned Scholars to utilise LinkedIn to promote their skills, grow their networks, and share information about their experiences and professional interests.
Commonwealth Alumni built on this presentation and discussions by sharing their post-scholarship experiences and provided advice and guidance on building relationships with stakeholders, the importance of networks and how best to use this post-scholarship period.
The event concluded with an introduction to COSFAN, led by the association president, Dr Ekundayo Samuel (2017 Commonwealth Split-site Scholar). He highlighted the aims and objectives of the association, previous activities and projects, future plans, and how to get involved.
