The ACU’s Director of External Affairs, Beth Button, writes about the work of the ACU at CHOGM in Samoa. A busy week of events for the ACU delegation included a series of high-level engagements with Commonwealth leaders, stakeholder forums, ministerial meetings, side events, and a special engagement with His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, and our Patron.

We have awarded our ACU Supporting Research Community Training Grants to help staff at ACU member universities to deliver training for their early- and mid-career researchers. The training topics include research integrity principles and ethical conduct, digital tools for research, presentation and grant writing skills, networking and time management, and research data management.

Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, and his life’s work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges, the new King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) has been developed in response to urgent economic, social and environmental development challenges affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The programme will fund, train and support undergraduate, postgraduate and mid-career King’s Fellows, delivering sustainable impact for Commonwealth SIDS and their communities. 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.

Open to academic and professional staff, these grants help to fund the cost of organising projects that promote the strategic priorities of the Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network. Three grants of up to GBP 3,500 each are available. Applications close: 9 January 2025.

Our calendar of funding opportunities for this academic year is now live. We provide funding for ACU members to pursue innovative research and projects, as well as funding life-changing opportunities for students around the Commonwealth.

Connect with ACU members around the Commonwealth in our new exclusive online members’ area - ACU Connect. This new invitation-only space - initially opening up to ACU Ambassadors - allows members to connect directly with other ACU Ambassadors around the Commonwealth, opening opportunities for collaboration in our network of over 400 members in more than 40 countries. ACU Ambassadors have been sent an invitation directly from ACU Connect to join.

K4DD (Knowledge for Development and Diplomacy) aims to assist UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff in responding to overseas challenges through providing evidence and expertise sourced from a global network. The ACU is a partner in this project and we are seeking expressions of interest from academics in our own global network to support the FCDO in its policy and programme decision-making.

Are you passionate about your subject and interested in opportunities to advance your career, and contribute to new and exciting projects and programmes? Join our Roster of Experts and highlight your skills to gain access to opportunities to make a difference in a variety of subject areas.

Location: Delhi, India

This year’s THE Innovation & Impact Summit will look at the role of higher education in empowering innovation on a global scale, and measuring its impact on the world. It will explore fair and sustainable approaches that universities can implement to blend technology, processes and services to address society’s greatest concerns. Please use the code ACU-30, or book directly through the link below, for a 30% ticket discount.