Studying around the Commonwealth – what has it meant for you?
Posted by ZoeWare - 19/07/09 at 02:07 pmOver 25,000 students have benefitted from Commonwealth Scholarships, and many more have gone to study in another Commonwealth country on their own. What are your experiences of studying around the Commonwealth?
Since the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) started in 1959, it has ‘grown to be one of the most prestigious schemes for international study and development in the world’, and many beneficiaries have gone on to positions of great influence in their own countries and globally. The shared cultures, education systems and language between Commonwealth countries also mean that there are many other educational exchanges and partnerships that take place on?a less formal level across the Commonwealth.
Have you studied in another Commonwealth country, either with or without the support of a Commonwealth scholarship? What has the Commonwealth dimension of your exchange meant to you? Or have you wanted to study but been unable to do so? Do you think that student exchanges are a crucial part of the Commonwealth’s added value?
Category : Education, Mobility & Exchange
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August 4th, 2009 at 4:53 am
I got to know about the Cth Scholarship from my friends who are receipients of this prestigious award for their brilliant acedemic successes. Currently I am doing a bachelor degree in Australia under the CHT-AusAid scholarship program. this scholarship is being offered to the students from developing and least developing countries in Asia, Pacific and some African regions by AusAid (Australia) under their different scholarships programs. From my personel experience, this scholarship is so meaningful to me in this sense that it opens up my eyes and provides me all the necessary supports to enrich my knowledge, experience and also to build up my career. Before coming to Australia I did not have any kind of contact with any foreigner or overseas students otherthan my Indigenous and Bengalee friends in Bangladesh. Therefore, I did not have much knowledge about the cultures and traditions of so many countries that I got to know now in living Australia. Of course I love my country from my heart, but if I talk about the cultural exchange I must acknowledge the value of studying abroad no matter with the scholarship or self-finaced because if we just value the importance of cultural exchange like getting to know with other students from different cultural backgrounds, sharing own cultures, learning from other cultures etc just to mention few, i think this is a great source of learning and we can apply the best part of the cultures in our lives no matter how different it is if it is not a sensitive issue to some other cultures in terms of religions and traditional believes. Once we get to know about other cultures, then we learn how to respect them and also we find the way to exchange our cultures with other cultures that we are experiencing now or learning. therefore, this cultural exchange can be seen as a big unifier across the Cth countris. But the major barrier remains as being the poor economical conditions of many Cth countries that are unable to provide enough opportunity for the students to study abroad. I would like to suggest that Cth should take more appropriate measures to remove this barrier by providing more scholarships opportunities to the poor but talented students in least developing countries and it should also form policies to encourage rich countries and charity foundations in the Cth nations to provide financial support to the poor but brilliant students to study abroad. I think Cth itself also can be benifited in terms of having students studying from diverse cultural backgrounds all across the Cth.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Absolutely correct. From where I am sitting the lack of cultural exchange is what leads to ignorance all around the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth is home to the best education institutions on earth. The Secretariat should make more effort to liaise between schools in poorer member states to provide opportunities to send students who can achieve to further education.
In doing this the Commonwealth will be honouring diversity and really creating a ‘common wealth’ of knowledge and education.
But it doesn’t end there.
I firmly believe that the greatest challenge of the 21st Century is Climate change. Charles, Prince of Wales, (who, if not the sole one, will I hope be one of the future rotating heads of the Commonwealth) has dedicated the last twenty years of his life, at least, to promoting environmentalism and conservation. Most recently has been a campaign to save the Amazon Rainforest.
The Commonwealth has to launch its own campaign.
I propose that the Commonwealth institute a totally new education program in all member states.
This qualification would be taught from college level and, rather than covering Academia, will teach skills which will aid sustainable development. Many Commonwealth states are developing countries with industrial aspirations – students and young people across the Commonwealth must be given the opportunity to realise their nations’ dreams without harming our planet any further. This also goes for developed countries where, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, politicians seem incapable of reducing Carbon emissions or environmental impact.
So here is the plan: The Commonwealth Sustainability Baccalaureate (CSB) will be made available to any and all students throughout the Commonwealth who wish to help ensure the future of their nations and their planet.
The curriculum will cover:
Subsistence farming
Construction/engineering
Environmental Science
Renewable energy
Basic medicine/vetinary/First Aid
Conservation
Emergency rescue and response skills
Languages
Cultural studies/world history
The onus in all the subjects will be PRACTICAL APPLICATION. In order to graduate the CSB students must be able to practically demonstrate their skills in real conditions. The academic aspect will be present, but limited, as the CSB is geared toward the practically-minded student.
In order to give students the best chance for this, the course will last 3 years – 2 studying and developing skills in the student’s home country, and two working with a job placement or placements in another Commonwealth country where new skills can be practiced.
The CSB’s primary theme would be ensuring the future for the next generations, and teaching usable skills. Even in countries where practical qualifications are encouraged, they are still taught primarily at the Academic level, and practical application is often lacking.
I suggest that the Commonwealth establish a general curriculum and work with schools, NGOs and National Governments to build up a base of teachers and placements throughout member states, as well as outreach organisations to offer the CSB to students in deprived areas. This would be a mighty project, but the skills that would be taught, and the work that could be achieved, would be well worth the investment in time and energy.
The Commonwealth must move towards the future with the wisdom and knowledge that 53 nations? science and resources have revealed. The planet?s ecosystem will see serious injury to mankind if it continues to be abused. With the Commonwealth Sustainability Baccalaureate, opportunities could be given for Commonwealth students to see the world and learn some skills which can help prevent the health of planet from degrading, while not stifling the development ambitions of Member states.
Mong Marma?s experience, I hope, is exemplary. I hope the Commonwealth can help others to fulfil their potential in the same way.
More of the same, please, Commonwealth!
August 14th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Thanks RFLowings. The points you raised are absolutely perfect and practical. I would also like to suggest the Cth should emphasis more on these subjects area as climate change is being one of the greatest threats in our planet and the relatively poor countries (such as Bangladesh) remain the most vulnurable to these threats. Bangladesh has huge populations comparing its geographical size and floods, cyclone, hurricane are some common phenomenons. The government is unable to cope with these issues properly by itself as there are still huge lack of adequate human resources with expert knowledge and skills on these area. some Environmental scienctists predict that one-fourth of the total area of Bangladesh might go under water due to the global warming in near 25/50 years. I suggest Cth take these matter siriously and offer scholarships to the students from those countries that are vulnarble to climate change.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I think there should be more student exchanges between Commonwealth countries. As a psychology student, I am especially interested in research and lectures, and would love to see more co-operation in these areas between unversities of different Commonwealth nations. I even wrote letters to the Queen, Commonwealth Secretariat, PM of Great Britain, the Leader of the Opposition, and had my letter published in the British Psychological Society’s journal “The Psychologist”, in the september issue. I believe there need to be a better framework in place for students, and for professionals to transfer their skills to other Commonwealth nations once they have become accredited in their profession.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:08 pm
During 2001-2002, I worked as a Commonwealth research fellow in the Department of Probability and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. I had the opportunity of taking my family with me to UK, our first visit to the country which ruled my country for over 300 years. The opportunity gave me a very nice exposure to work with a section of the British academia in my field. It also gave a wonderful opportunity for me and my family to make ourselves familiar with a few cities across UK and also meet the people and learn and exchange cultural experiences. The CSFP is a great opportunity for researchers in the commonwealth for sharing ideas and learning from mutual experiences. I am for continuing this program for the benefit of researchers in the Commonwealth. Long live CSFP.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I spent a memorable year in England at the University of York as an associate of Prof. James H Clark to work in the emerging area of Green Chemistry. I continue to practice Green Chemistry, which is essentially a philosophy guiding academic as well as industrial research in chemistry and allied disciplines. If followed in a sustained manner, these interdisciplinary ideas can help in solving many of our current environmental problems. My stint as a Commonwealth Fellow gave me the courage to involve in front-line research area even while remaining as a faculty member in a poorly funded university in Assam in the northeastern part of India.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I was a Commonwealth Scholar from 1963 to1966.I studied for my PhD at Manchester University. What Commonwealth Scholarship meant to personally was the opportunity afforded to me to advance my education.Without the financial support that the Commission offered I along with a quite a number of my cohearts from India could never have a chance to pursue higher studies.In my field There was no university in India that offered a PhD program in those early years of Indias Development.Studying in a foreign country also exposed me to entirely a new culture from which I learnt quite a lot.My stay in UK also gave me the opprotunity to travel around Europe and see for myself what the westerners had to advance that Indians lacked. I have never ever even once thought that the Idea of a scholarship scheme that allowed students to study in a different country and a lifetime experience of enjoying the hospitality of the natives could not but promote mutual understanding and respect for the citizens from poorer countries of the Commonwealth.I only have very good thoughts about the Commonwealth Commission and hope that it will flourish in the years to come to bring young people from around the world to learn from each other the values of being a good citizen of the World.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I was commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow during 1st Oct 2008 to 31st March 2009 at Corrosion Protection Centre, School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. I am an academician and have been in teaching profession for almost 24 years. As is custom, teachers also carryout and guide research so we need to update ourselves on a regular basis. I used to attend refresher courses, which were designed to introduce teachers to a new subject and new technique in research. However, my quest for cutting edge research in area of my specialization was not satiated. Here the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship came as a blessing. I could work with Prof. R. A. Cottis, who is pioneer in use of Electrochemical Noise Measurements (ENM) in identifying form of corrosion. During my 6 month stay, I had chance to learn from him the basics of (ENM). I also got chance to use data loggers, data logging softwares and data processing tools, which were new to me. I also had chance to understand their research priorities, their approach to research and standard of research in UK. I learnt new skills and now continue to develop those skills further. I am also developing ENM facilities in my laboratory. These facilities will be useful for further research. In this way the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship has been an enabling experience for me. In turn, now I feel that I can train other persons from the commonwealth country in my area. I’ll be happy if span of common wealth fellowship/scholarship is widened to include exchange between commonwealth countries.
October 24th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I was lucky enough to receive a Commonwealth Scholarship from NZ to the UK in 1998-2000. Beforehand I was a citizen of NZ, very much aware of our place in Oceania and Asia, but without much time for Commonwealth ties. A stack of friends from all around the Commonwealth later, I’m wholeheartedly a Commonwealth citizen, with a strong awareness of and appreciation for aspects of shared culture, history, etc. This kind of connection, particularly in the years to come (fellow scholars from my year are already judges, politicians, senior management, educators, etc) seems to me to be a Very Good Thing, for all the countries and people of the Commonwealth, and for the world at large. I think we’re all better world citizens for the experience!
October 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I am currently just mid way to the end of my fellowship programme. But l must sincerely confess that the past six (6)weeks of being in the programme have meant so much. That is, the benefits are enormous, there is a system in place, and it is strategically planned to benefit participants whenever they arrive. I am particularly happy and proud to belong to this unique family of fellows of the commonwealth. I came to know about the programme through my organization in Nigeria. l will spread the good news about the CSFP so that more and more people will join.My placement with the Environment Agency (EA) which shares similar aspirations with my own Agency, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has afforded me the opportunity to learn new techniques in environmental management, information exchange with other colleagues from other countries, EU policy framework directives on environment being that environmental impacts (problems) do not have political boundaries, e g the deleterious impacts of climate change. The importance of networking to curb also, the menace of e-waste. While we all look ahead for more technological innovations, there is the need for innovators to ‘ThinkEnvironmentFirst’ so that we all, will have a cleaner and healthier environment for all. l call for more slots from the CSFP in the area of the environment because the Environment is No, 1.Thanks CSFP , EA-UK, all my many friends l have made so far, fellows, e.t.c. Shalom!!!
October 24th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I am from Fiji Islands and I did my Masters in Social Policy at Uni of Swansea under Commonwealth funding in 2007. I immersely enjoyed the experience, particularly the learning styles in UK is far more analytical then we have in Fiji and also the interaction with students from many other countries. I have since maintained really good relations with many of my African and Brit counterparts and it had also inspired me to do a PhD. I returned to Fiji and after one year started a PhD at Uni of York under another funding. I was dissappointed with the Commonwealth regulation that they dont fund for a Masters n PhD consecutively whereas it would make more economical sense to do that instead of uprooting the family again for a year to return to home country. Also as I was keen to pursue PhD after my 1 year of bond, I found it difficult to find any good jobs as employers mostly wanted longterm committment and I couldn’t give them! It is a shame that while this policy may have been created as a safeguard and to provide more equitable spread of funding, at times it can be detrimental.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
The Commonwealth Scholarship provided me with an opportunity to undertake doctoral studies in International Law in the United Kingdom. This was a life changing experience for me. Yes, there were challenges, including the unJamaican weather, but the intellectual development afforded by the scholarship was of profound and lasting value. So, today, some 25 years after the scholarship was granted to me, I hardly remember the challenges, but I retain the skills, techniques and methods that I acquired through careful and sensitive supervision, long hours in the Bodleian Library, searches in the British Library, and exchanges with other postgraduate students. As regards exchanges with postgraduate students, there were some on Commonwealth scholarships, others who benefitted from ORS arrangements, Rhodes scholars, Marshall scholars and others: without such scholarships, I doubt that most would have been able to pursue dearly held goals of completing their studies at the highest level. Some of these scholars have remained in England, but the vast majority have returned home, and are now in senior positions in academia, government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. Many demonstrate academic excellence in the personal careers, but perhaps more importantly, they remain committed to broader goals of social development, and seek to implement this commitment in their day-to-day work. This, I believe, is the most significant value of the Commonwealth Scholarshit has created and developed a veritable army of socially committed persons working — often quietly — to promote development in needy societies. For this reason, I have tried in my work as an academic to recommend some of brightest students I have taught to the Commonwealth selection authorities.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I am currently studying in the UK as a Jamaican Commonwealth Scholar. The academic experience has been as enriching and valuable as I had expected it to be and I have enjoyed the sense of community which has been built through networking with other students from Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth is one of the few international organisations which has maintained steady support for issues which affect small (island) developing states. As such it has been wonderful to have had the support of the scholarship to pursue my research on governance of regional integration systems – a key development strategy for countries in the Caribbean. The issue of climate change as raised by RFLOWINGS and MONG MARMA is another issue worthy of increased education cooperation and solidarity. Notwithstanding, I have found that the strength of the Commonwealth has been found in its potential to educate beyond the classroom. My own experience with the Commonwealth has extended beyond the formal academic qualifications and skills building. I agree with JWAYLAND that there is a need for more exchanges across the Commonwealth – even beyond formal academic programmes – to facilitate a wider ‘education’ about the way in which Commonwealth countries have committed to a common purpose of sustainable social and economic development through effective international cooperation, while also celebrating the diversity which exists among our members. I have been fortunate enough to have built strong relationships with Commonwealth citizens through my participation in Commonwealth Youth Forum (2001) and Commonwealth Youth Exchange (2002). These initiatives had a significant impression on me and the way I think – and in fact fostered by current interest in and commitment to effective governance and international development. Those periods of informal ‘study’ have been of as much value as my current period of academic research in the UK. It is perhaps because of them that I am proud to be a Commonwealth Scholar, in the broadest sense of the term.I certainly hope more people will have the opportunity to explore our Commonwealth – which still remains one of the best places to learn about unity in diversity.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 am
I was fortunate enough to be awarded a Commomwealth scholarship and subsequently a Fellowship. I think that the opportunity not only advanced my academic knowledge and skills but also my widened my entire outlook of the world. Meeting and interacting with people from different parts of the world was an extremely unique experience and the contacts thus formed has been useful for my carreer as a senior lecturer of a university too.
I would like to thank all those concerned for these extremely beneficial awards and hope that they will be continued for many more years to come.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
I will ever remain grateful to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK for granting me the prestigeous Commonwealth Scholarship that saw me bagging a Masters Degree in ICT /Education from the University of Leeds in 2004. I returned back to Nigeria immediately after my studies to a blink future.
I was faced with the challenges of having to cope with out-dated technology and obviously non-existent and where available grossly inadequate ICT infrastructure and very hostile business environment. Government do not have any plans for returning Scholars and the stress of having to start looking for job was very disturbing.
With so much learnt and so much efforts expended in graduating as at when due, arrangements should be made to place returning Scholars in areas where they can make an impact in their home country. Commonwealth should address this critically to avoid brain drain syndrome or Scholars refusing to return back to their home country, My experience was not a pleasant one.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Gratefull to CSC for the support I got for studing Msc. Agricultural Economic in 1992, yet again when I represented all Alumni from Africa at Planning Workshop at Cumberland lodge, Winsor. I am currently involved in resettlement and livelihood recovery projects of former internally displaced persons in NE Uganda.
However there is a need for reform in awarding of scholarships especially in countries which are known to be with corrupt official.
Let it be handled by British Council offices
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I am one of the luckiest people who won the prestigious award of commonwealth. I was awarded PhD scholarship and later a post-doctorial Fellowship by the commonwealth. These opportunities have brought significant change in my career growth and much help in furthering my research efforts based on problems faced by my country. Commonwealth scholarships and Fellowships are the best way of helping the developing countries in solving their most crucial problems like poverty alleviation and conservation of environment, etc. I appreciate the idea of online conversation initiated to share the ideas by commonwealth Scholars and Fellows. I also support the suggestion that the number of scholaships and Fellowships be increased to ensure maximum benefits for poor member states out of this programme.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I feel proud to be the holder of commonwealth scholarship (1993-1996)and later fellowship (2008-2009.I am serving as a full professor in my university and working on various research projects. Supervising PhD students. The commonwealth scholarship scheme is the best and I recommend it for any one who wants to study for doctorate or post-doctorate in the UK.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Oh! I cant emphasise enough, from a developing country and hunble background and here i am a commonwealth student; what more can pride be. Having been awarded a masters scholarship to the U.K., my confidence and self esteem have been enhanced nothwithstanding the excitement and shock of coming to a developed country. It has made me competitive and aim at nothing but the best! The academic rigour exhibited here just ideal for discovering ones potential. I only wish there could be more interaction with prospective employers to be able to outsource from the commonwealth graduate pool.
Meanwhile i hope to be a pofessor in economics in due course!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is indeed the most prestigious award in the world. I am from Nigeria, a lecturer with one of the university. Based on nomination by my Vice-Chancellor, CSC offered me a split – site PhD award in 2007 tenable at Cranfield University UK. Apart from completed my sets goals due to well equipped labs , material, proper supervision and good environment, I attended two conferences (Landward at Happer Adams University college and Cereal 2008) both in the Uk. These two conferences added another experience as an agricultural engineer to my academic life, I am presently using some of the packages gotten there as a teaching aids to my students. I have made lots of achievement for spending six months in UK. On return to Nigeria, things could not be compared with UK including lack of attention by supervisors, lack of proper / enough research materials. Only two weeks ago, Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) called off about four months strike. It is very frustrating to note that my thesis have been on stand still for eight months still waiting to be sent for external examination. Please let the CSC assist their alumni with some of these cases since they have their addresses. Some of the objectives of the CSC are to make Scholars upon completion contribute positively to their nation development. This need favorable environment, which CSC may wish to intervened to assist their alumni to achieve their goals.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Just in Uganda and completing my Msc.thesis on ‘Views of ugandan women, towards attending ANC with their partners’. Studying online from UCL-university of london, has indeed brought a new outlook in Uganda that one can complete a postgraduate health course without being physically at campus. I have now translated the experience to develop course modules at new licensed University in Uganda, leave alone advancing my skills and knowledge on approaches to address complex health problems in our country.
Long Live CSC/ACU.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I am presently on nomination for the UK C’Wealth. I am a bit undecided though between UK and the USA (direct entry to a university) and I hope I can get some good advice here.
I am undecided because my career plan post-phd is to establish some international policy research experience before returning to my home country. From my preliminary readings, it appears that the C’Wealth programme will just facilitate me for the 3 years in the UK and then require me to leave (even taking into account the 12 months extension on the post-study work permit). The US however, would allow for post doctoral research work more easily given the many research organizations which exist and their frequent recruitment of phds. So I am inclined to turn down the scholarship. Any advice?
March 29th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Commonwealth scholarship is the best scholarship. I am one of the luckiest people who won the prestigious award of commonwealth. I was awarded PhD scholarship and later a post-doctorial Fellowship by the commonwealth