The CSFP Plan established in 1959 was designed as a system of awards to men and women from all Commonwealth countries chosen for their high intellectual promise and their capacity to return to make a significant contribution to life in their own countries. One of its guiding principles is that it be based upon mutual co-operation and the sharing of educational experience among all countries of the Commonwealth.

The CSFP has so far supported about 22 000 award holders and 500 more benefit each year. Over 500 universities in 35 countries and regions around the Commonwealth are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities making it one of the most effective international networks in higher education.

The Alumni programme commenced in 2001, and has already succeeded in tracing almost 30% of those individuals who have studied in the UK. A particular achievement was the publication, in October 2003, of the first Directory of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows. Several overseas chapters have formed of Commonwealth Scholars, including the UKCAC-Mauritius chapter in 2004.

 

A CSFP Reception was held at Sofitel Imperial on 13 April 2004 to launch the Mauritius Chapter as the First event of the ACU Council Meeting in Mauritius which was attended by about 100 Former Scholars and Fellows including about 30 ACU Council members. Distinguished Guests included Mr M Plumb, Deputy British High Commissioner, Dr J Kirkland, Executive Secretary CSC, Prof M Gibbons, Executive Secretary, ACU, Prof M Mohamedbhai, ACU Chair and Vice Chancellor at the University of Mauritius and Ms R Burford, Director of the British Council.

The CSFP has so far enabled about 200 Mauritians to study in institutions in the U.K since 1961. About 1000 have also studied in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Malta, Malaysia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
A large number can now be found in Academia, Government and in the Private sector as listed in Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Directory. Some former award holders having been serving  as MPs or as Ministers while others hold positions abroad.

The outline of the CSC’s Evaluation Programme was designed following a workshop hosted by the CSC in May 2007. Participants at the workshop, including current Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows and representatives from CSFP national agencies and other funding organisations, drew up guidelines leading to the design of the programme, which commenced in September 2007.

 

PROFESSIONAL COMMONWEALTH ALUMNI NETWORKS.

 

The Professional Commonwealth Networks programme is a major part of  a long-term strategy to maintain contact through various Chapters.  To make this work, it is important that as many alumni and current award-holders as possible sign up for the networks of most relevance to them.

 The first three  networks were launched in November 2004, in the areas of Public Health, Education and Governance, Civil Society, Community Development and the Environment network in May 2005.  Network members receive quarterly email briefings covering for example news, forthcoming conferences and workshops and reports and are also  able to email the network to share their own news and opinions.