Endowment fund to support Commonwealth scholars

An endowment fund that will support Commonwealth scholars is being established to increase the number of awards currently being offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

Launched in 1959, the CSFP is today one of the most prestigious scholarship schemes for international study and professional development in the Commonwealth. Over 25,000 Commonwealth citizens have received awards – many going on to reach the very highest levels of their profession.

At the 16th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers held in the South African coastal city of Cape Town, in December 2006, ministers mandated the Commonwealth Secretariat to set up an Endowment Fund and a Central Unit to raise scholarships and fellowships as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of CSFP in 2009.

The recent summit of Commonwealth leaders in Uganda welcomed the expansion of the CSFP and the commitment by education ministers to further expand the number of awards available.

Fundraising plans are now being discussed by the Secretariat, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Nexus, a publishing company. The Secretariat, in collaboration with the ACU, is due to kick off a series of activities to fundraise and publicise the Fund, and to reach out to thousands of CSFP alumni, who will be approached for support.

The CSFP scheme is designed to be reciprocal, with each country contributing scholarships and fellowships according to its means.

According to Dr Henry Kaluba, Adviser and Head of Education at the Secretariat, the idea of the Fund has already attracted considerable support and goodwill. He said that some governments have already indicated a willingness to contribute to the Fund, which is anticipated to be up and running by the end of 2009.

Key Links:

• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan