Sri Lanka support for scholarships in new destinations

Press release – 18 November 2013

Commonwealth Scholarships in low and middle countries have received a significant boost, following a USD 50,000 donation from the Government of Sri Lanka to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) endowment fund.

The fund aims to make Commonwealth Scholarships, traditionally hosted mainly by richer member countries, genuinely Commonwealth-wide by supporting scholarships in new destinations. Set up to mark the 50th anniversary of the CSFP in 2009, it has raised donations now worth over GBP 7 million, through over 200 contributions from both Commonwealth governments and alumni. 

Hon Mr S B Dissanayake, Sri Lankan Minister of Higher Education, said ‘The Sri Lankan government is pleased to be able to support Commonwealth Scholarships, which are one of the most well-known and respected mechanisms of pan-Commonwealth exchange’.

Dr John Kirkland, Fund Secretary, said ‘Through the CSFP endowment fund, Commonwealth Scholarships are now available in a diverse range of countries across the world, offering young people the chance to experience study and culture in new destinations. This new donation will further extend the study opportunities available to all Commonwealth citizens’. 

Professor Tim Unwin, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC), also welcomed the donation. ‘This donation will help enhance the impact of one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship schemes. Commonwealth Scholarships offer life-changing opportunities, and the CSC is pleased that other Commonwealth governments are also demonstrating their commitment to the scheme.’

The first scholarships supported by the fund were taken up in 2011, in destinations ranging from Nigeria to Samoa. Since then, the fund has supported around 20 awards annually, with numbers set to rise in the future.

Notes to editors:

1. The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. It was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by Commonwealth education ministers at their triennial meetings. The CSFP has enabled over 27,000 individuals to study in over 20 countries across the Commonwealth. For further information, visit www.csfp-online.org

2. The CSFP endowment fund was launched by Commonwealth education ministers in 2009, under the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales. Contributions have been received from 13 Commonwealth governments and over 200 alumni and other supporters. The fund is managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

3. The CSFP endowment fund supports scholarships hosted by low and middle income Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are open to citizens of any Commonwealth country.

4. For further information, please contact:

Natasha Lokhun
+44 (0)20 7380 6760
[email protected]