Valued members,
It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce the launch of a new programme the ACU is designing and delivering on behalf of our Patron, His Majesty King Charles III. The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP), which focuses on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), has been inspired by The King and his life’s work to create opportunity and tackle contemporary challenges. The KCFP will fully fund, train and support multiple cohorts of undergraduate, postgraduate and mid-career King’s Fellows in its first few years and seeks to engage participants from every Commonwealth SIDS. We are working closely with our members in these nations to design and develop the programme, which will be tailored to local needs and priorities. It will form part of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan which has created life-changing opportunities for more than 38,000 individuals since it was founded by Commonwealth Ministers of Education in 1959. Creating opportunities and facilitating knowledge exchange are at the heart of what we do at the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Indeed, we have been delivering transformative educational opportunities with our network of 400 members in more than 40 countries for more than 100 years. Drawing on this long-standing expertise, and the local knowledge of our member universities in Commonwealth SIDS, we are proud to design and deliver this important legacy programme in His Majesty’s name. His Majesty commented on the launch of the programme:
'I am delighted to support this important new initiative. Throughout my life I have believed in the power of education to improve lives and unite communities across the Commonwealth and beyond. There is so much we can learn from one another as we work together within the Commonwealth to tackle the major challenges of our age and, as these Fellowships do in Small Island Developing States, to address them where they are felt most acutely. It is my fervent hope that these new Fellowships will play a significant role in furthering the free exchange of knowledge and advancing the spirit of mutual support that lies at the heart of our Commonwealth - today, tomorrow and towards a brighter future for all.'
Read our news story here. We will be celebrating the launch of the KCFP with an event at CHOGM on Thursday, 24 October 2024, at which date we will be also announcing our founding donor and initial university PHD partners on social media and the website. We are deeply grateful for your support on this important initiative, which emphasises local impact and retaining skills and talent in SIDS regions. If you are interested in getting involved in the PHD stream of the programme, you will have the opportunity to nominate your institution in the coming months. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
With the very best wishes, Colin Riordan
ACU Secretary General and Chief Executive |
