UK: New additions to Commonwealth scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is marking its 50th anniversary this academic year by increasing the number of countries that host students from member states. More than 26,000 students from all Commonwealth countries have held awards since the scheme's inception in 1959 and most have studied in the UK. Now, more British students will have the chance to take courses in other countries.

Twenty UK postgraduates have already taken up Commonwealth post-doctoral research fellowships in Canada, while a further four have been offered scholarships in New Zealand this year.

Singapore has recently announced it will host Commonwealth Scholarship holders for the first time in 2010, and Trinidad and Tobago will double its offering to eight awards for this anniversary year. Other new destinations are likely to include Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, the South Pacific and Sri Lanka. These countries join more established hosts such as India, Malaysia, South Africa, Brunei Darussalam, Ghana and Jamaica.

Speaking in advance of last week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port of Spain in Trinidad, Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said: "I hope that the scheme will encourage talented students to consider new destinations. Many low and middle income countries can now offer niche courses and experiences of global interest.

"The awards will be available to citizens of all Commonwealth countries and so will develop new forms of south-south engagement, as well as offering unique opportunities for students from developed countries."

In addition to commitments from host country governments, a special anniversary endowment fund to support Commonwealth Scholarships in low and middle income countries has already attracted donations of almost £1.7 million (US$2.8 million). The fund is being managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, a London-based organisation with more than 500 members in six continents which also provides the secretariat for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK.