Commonwealth Scholarships News Marks Two (1996 Commonwealth Scholar, Mphil Important Milestones
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NEWS Issue 14 Promoting learning, development and co-operation July 2011 Clearing the way for CHOGM OUR SCHOLARS AND FELLOWS · COUNTRY PROFILE – AUSTRALIA · NEWS ROUND-UP 1 OUR ALUMNI · NEW ECONOMICS AND FINANCE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK · NETWORKS AND EVENTS THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL Cover Josh Frydenberg his issue of Commonwealth Scholarships News marks two (1996 Commonwealth Scholar, MPhil important milestones. Firstly, it looks ahead to the next International Relations, University of TCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Oxford) (right) participating in a local Perth, Australia, in October this year, by celebrating the clean-up event for Clean Up Australia achievements of Australian alumni (see pages 12 and 19). Day – read more about Josh on page 12 Secondly, it marks the launch of the CSC’s new Professional 2 Editorial Network in Economics and Finance. This new network will focus on 3 News round-up issues of interest to current and former Commonwealth Scholars The latest from the Commonwealth and Fellows working directly in or in areas related to economics, Scholarships community. finance, and business, in both the private and the public sector. It will also cater for researchers based in universities and research 4 Our Scholars and Fellows centres (find out how you can join on pages 16-17). An insight into the work of our current award holders. This issue also features alumni from across the Commonwealth with careers in the fields of economics and finance. Asheesh Advani shares his experience of starting his own company and overseeing its 6 Sailing with the Sea Shepherds A Commonwealth Scholar describes his expansion and later acquisition (see page 13). Many other alumni also hold senior positions in these unusual fieldwork experience on board areas, working in government ministries, national central banks, and even research institutes with a an anti-whaling ship. focus on building the capacity of business to strengthen communities through microfinance initiatives. 8 Commonwealth Heads of The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission must be commended for providing generations of Government congregate in students and professionals, particularly from less developed and emerging market economies, with Perth significant opportunities to deepen their technical skill and knowhow, expand their global outlook, and Looking ahead to the forthcoming exchange ideas on how economic, social and scientific progress can be harnessed to create a better CHOGM in October 2011. world for everyone. 10 Our alumni I had the good fortune of receiving both a Commonwealth Scholarship, to pursue doctoral studies in News and career updates from our economics at Queen Mary, University of London in 1991, and a Commonwealth Fellowship, to pursue former award holders. postdoctoral research on trade policy and modelling at the University of Nottingham in 2000. Both of 12 Alumni profile these opportunities enabled me to make some important academic, business, and policy contacts in Three Commonwealth Scholars from the UK, Europe, North America, and Africa. I gained a solid understanding of how global markets Australia share their achievements. function, and the awards allowed me to engage in important research and policy analysis with a network of people throughout the Commonwealth. My research, especially on trade modelling and 13 Entrepreneurship, new media policy, gained greater international attention and prominence and provided the catalyst for me to play and business a significant role in policy formulation, not only in my home country of Trinidad and Tobago, but also How one of our alumni has made it big in the wider Caribbean region. in the business world. I do believe that by providing a professional forum for ongoing collaboration, the new CSC 14 Our impact Professional Network can help policymakers and researchers throughout the Commonwealth find Analysis and news from the CSC’s solutions to pressing problems and thereby unlock the true potential of their respective countries. In a Evaluation and Monitoring Programme. world where uncertainty is the order of the day, this ongoing collaboration is one of the keys to 16 Networks and events economic survival and sustainable development. Reports from recent events attended by Scholars, Fellows and alumni. The Economics and Finance Professional Network will not just make a difference to educational advancement in many countries; it will also help citizens to contribute more effectively to the steady 17 CSFP News and sustainable development of their own societies and, by extension, the world. An update on the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. Shelton Nicholls Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago 18 Country profile – Australia Commonwealth Scholar, PhD Economics, Queen Mary, University of London, 1991-1994 A closer look at the CSFP in operation Commonwealth Fellow, Economics, University of Nottingham, 2000-2001 internationally. Commonwealth Scholarships News Commonwealth Scholarships News is published twice a year by the Editorial Team: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom. Dr John Kirkland Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Jocelyn Law c/o The Association of Commonwealth Universities Nyssa Lee-Woolf Woburn House, 20–24 Tavistock Square Natasha Lokhun London, WC1H 9HF, UK Design and Print: [email protected] Innovative Output Solutions www.dfid.gov.uk/cscuk 2 Commonwealth Scholarships News NEWS ROUND-UP 2011 SELECTIONS COMMONWEALTH JUBILEE TIME CAPSULE countries during this period. Until March 2012, you The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has In honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond can enter your own history about a day in the last 60 made its selections for the 2011/2012 academic Jubilee, the Royal years which is important year, for the following schemes: Commonwealth to you or your country. Society (RCS) is Commonwealth Scholarships for candidates from assembling the world’s This is a chance to take developing Commonwealth countries, for Master’s biggest online time part in the world’s or PhD study (including Split-site Scholarships and capsule, covering each biggest online history scholarships to academic staff): 252 day of her 60-year time capsule, win some Commonwealth Scholarships for candidates from headship of the good prizes, and share developed Commonwealth countries, for PhD study: 18 Commonwealth. your stories. The Jubilee Time Capsule will Commonwealth Academic Fellowships, for The Jubilee Time form a prominent university staff from developing countries: 58 Capsule aims to be a Commonwealth Commonwealth Professional Fellowships, for mid- people’s history from dimension and digital career professionals from developing countries all over the legacy for Her Majesty’s (Round 1): 65 Commonwealth. The RCS wants to hear from you Diamond Jubilee in 2012. For more information, visit about events in your own families, communities and www.jubileetimecapsule.org GOODENOUGH COLLEGE College is an ideal environment Goodenough College is an for international networking. independent college for international postgraduate Goodenough College would be students. It provides not only delighted to welcome any excellent accommodation and Commonwealth Scholars or study facilities, but also a lively and Fellows who return to London encouraging community, which is to pursue further postgraduate renowned for its tolerance and study. The College also offers a international understanding. fantastic choice of rooms and its own catering, available for As a distinctive academic and events. The Goodenough Club, professional community of over which is part of the College, 650 members from 90 countries, offers recently refurbished 4- the College encourages intellectual Goodenough College, London star hotel accommodation at exchange through workshops, competitive rates. For further seminars, conferences, and cultural, artistic and of London, within walking distance of the major details, visit www.goodenough.ac.uk or email sporting activities. Positioned in the academic heart universities and research institutions in London, the [email protected] NEW BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GHANA Government Meeting in Perth. We are working closely with Ghana and other HE Mr Peter Jones took up his post as British High Commissioner to Ghana in Commonwealth partners to make this a real success. We are fortunate that May 2011. Since arriving in Accra, he has been pleased to discover that Ghana itself is playing a leading role through its leadership of the ‘historical connections between the UK and Ghana remain a positive bedrock Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and providing a member of the for the relationship’. Eminent Persons Group producing proposals for adapting the Commonwealth to the priorities of the future.’ He says ‘We are pursuing a broad agenda across the High Commission and the DFID office, including not just core political, development, commercial, and Education remains a critical theme for the High Commissioner. ‘It is a significant visa work, but also a broader range of cooperation in areas such as police and part of the UK’s development agenda in Ghana for the next four years, as we anti-drugs work. There are a striking range of issues and threats common to work to achieve ambitious targets for ensuring more out-of-school children both the UK and Ghana. Our biggest asset is strong people-to-people contact attend school, training more teachers, and ensuring more girls attend high between the two countries. The Ghanaian diaspora community in the