The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) celebrated its 65th anniversary at the annual Connect and Collaborate event at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. Since 1960, the CSC has funded over 31,000 people from across the Commonwealth to study at UK universities.
This special gathering, held on 13 February 2025, brought together past and present Commonwealth Scholars, high commissioners, stakeholders and policymakers, including Lord Collins of Highbury, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
These scholarships are funded by the FCDO to help talented Commonwealth citizens to attend UK universities. Through these scholarships, Commonwealth scholars enhance their skills, acquire new knowledge and build lasting networks for the future, enabling them to make a significant contribution to their countries and communities.
Professor Robin Mason, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Birmingham, reflected on the impact of the scholarships.
Professor Mason said:
“The idea behind Commonwealth Scholarships was a simple one: to promote global understanding and cooperation through international study. The impact of that idea has gone far beyond what anyone present at that first meeting of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) in 1959 could have hoped for.”
From Commonwealth Scholar to the Commonwealth Secretariat
This impact of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission was exemplified by Dr Lin Sambili-Gicheha, who now works as the Sports Adviser in the Social Policy Development team at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She pursued a doctorate degree as a Commonwealth Scholar to advance her understanding of how sport and other cultural disciplines can support the prevention of radicalisation of youth in Kenya.
Dr Sambili-Gicheha reflected on how the intersection of community, sport, and development work has inspired her. She told the audience:
“As Commonwealth Scholars, you are part of a global network of thinkers, leaders, and practitioners who have the ability- and the responsibility-to translate knowledge into action. I challenge you to trust your voice because your perspective-shaped by your background, your efforts, and your unique lived experience- is precisely what the world needs.”
“Today, as the Adviser for Sport for Development and Peace at the Commonwealth Secretariat, I see the relevance of my research play out in real time- across policies, programs, and initiatives that seek to empower young people, create safer communities, and harness the potential of sport to address some of our most pressing global challenges.”
She highlighted key advancements within the Secretariat’s Sports Division, including the development of the first Global Sport and Sustainable Development Goals Impact Report. This groundbreaking initiative, which will be published later this year, provides a global baseline report and interactive data dashboard that tracks, measures and proves the contribution that physical activity and sport make to health, education, gender equality, social inclusion, and economic growth.
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The report offers valuable insights into how sport can be used to bolster social development, she said:
“It is about nations investing in sport-based solutions to combat non-communicable diseases, mental health crises, and social inequality.”
Dr Sambili-Gicheha reflected also shared how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools has helped the Commonwealth Secretariat to bridge policy gaps, predict trends, and create smarter, more responsive public service interventions for sport-based solutions.
Another notable achievement is the creation of capacity building tools such as the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Sport and Sustainable Development, developed in partnership with the International Platform on Sport for Development and the Australian Government.
The eight-week online course, which has been accessed by over 8,500 learners, works to equip NGOs, policymakers and sports professionals with principles, tools and techniques in sport for development.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers a range of study, research, and professional development options for people throughout the Commonwealth.
Media contact
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Charity Mwathi Assistant Programmes Officer (Stakeholder Engagement), Economic, Youth & Sustainable Development Directorate, Commonwealth Secretariat
