On 3 December 2022, a joint Welcome Home Event was held for returning scholars from Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
The event provided an opportunity for recently returned Scholars to make valuable connections with fellow Commonwealth Alumni and receive guidance and support towards achieving their professional and developmental goals. The event included workshop sessions on skills development and entrepreneurship.
The event began with a welcome from Roseline Obadiuno, Project Manager for Commonwealth Scholarships, British Council, who encouraged new alumni to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to achieve sustainable development impact in their home countries. This was followed by an icebreaker session led by Ikechukwu Onodugo, Resourcing and Deployment Officer, British Council.
Commonwealth Alumni share experiences and advice
The event comprised two workshop sessions on ‘Skills development and entrepreneurship’ and ‘Research development and grant applications’.
Commonwealth Alumnus Mariam Momodu (2014 Split-site Scholar) led the first workshop on ‘Skills development and entrepreneurship’. She is the Founder of Getin Education Consulting. During the workshop, Mariam emphasised the importance of building networks and professional relationships locally and globally, as well as maintaining an online presence to share opportunities and updates to a wide audience.
The second workshop was delivered by Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Samuel Ekundayo (2017 Split-site Scholar) on the topic of ‘Research development and grant applications’. Dr Ekundayo shared guidance on writing successful research applications and emphasised the importance clear research endpoints, innovative plans of study, and precise and persuasive language and arguments.
During the event, leaders from the CSC alumni associations for Nigeria and Sierra Leone welcomed new alumni and encouraged them to get involved in association activities. This was followed by a panel discussion, during which alumni shared their experiences and tips on how to apply skills acquired during studies to achieve career excellence. The panel also discussed the importance of volunteering, networking, interpersonal skills for professional development.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Roseline Obadiuno followed by a group photo and a networking session.
