CSFAAU Commemorates 65 Years of the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme
Kampala, Uganda – November 16, 2024
The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Alumni Association of Uganda (CSFAAU) hosted a momentous celebration at Sheraton Kampala to mark the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme. The event brought together distinguished alumni, government officials, education leaders, and development partners to reflect on the programme’s transformative impact and explore pathways for continued collaboration.
British High Commissioner Reaffirms UK’s Commitment to Nurturing Global Talent
The British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Lisa Chesney MBE, in her keynote address, underscored the UK government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of global leaders through the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme. She emphasized the programme’s role in shaping individuals who drive transformative change in their communities, reinforcing the strong partnership between the UK and Uganda in advancing education, development, and capacity-building.
The High Commissioner expressed optimism that this collaboration would continue to empower Ugandan scholars, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering a sustainable and equitable future.
Panel Discussion Highlights
Prof. William Bazeyo – Patron, CSFAAU & Chairperson, University Council, Busitema University
Prof. Bazeyo called for a redefined approach to professorship, advocating for reciprocal learning between students and educators. He challenged alumni to leverage their expertise to give back to society by forging strategic partnerships and spearheading impactful initiatives.
Sharing his personal journey, Prof. Bazeyo reflected on how his Commonwealth-funded Master’s in Occupational Medicine in Singapore enabled him to pioneer occupational medicine and environmental health training in Uganda. He highlighted the significance of time management, not only in terms of punctuality but as a strategic resource for prioritization and efficiency in achieving meaningful outcomes.
Prof. Eli Katunguka – Vice Chancellor, Kyambogo University
Prof. Katunguka credited his Commonwealth experience for equipping him with quality mentorship, which paved the way for a distinguished research and publication career. However, he noted disparities in supervision quality between Ugandan universities and those in the UK, citing financial constraints as a major barrier to effective mentorship, which in turn affects research output and graduate quality.
Mrs. Rose Izizinga – Education Service Commission
Mrs. Izizinga shared insights from her MSc in Education for Sustainability at London South Bank University, which she pursued through distance learning. She lauded the programme’s multidisciplinary nature and its direct applicability to her professional responsibilities, allowing her to balance work and family life seamlessly.
Ms. Suzan Opok Tumusiime – Executive Director, FAWE Uganda
Ms. Tumusiime emphasized the importance of broadening academic horizons through international education, which nurtures critical and innovative thinking. She highlighted the need for increased scholarship opportunities for girls and urged alumni to advocate for greater female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Additionally, she underscored the role of networking among alumni to amplify their collective impact.
Mr. Andrew Omara – Windle Trust
Mr. Omara elaborated on the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme’s contributions to refugee education, noting Windle Trust’s collaboration with donors and universities to support students from conflict-affected regions in Eastern and Central Africa. He applauded the programme’s inclusivity and its significant role in transforming refugee communities.
Prof. Kamba Fadhiru Pakoyo – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Busitema University
Prof. Pakoyo called for increased investment in Uganda’s education infrastructure, criticizing the system’s heavy reliance on theoretical instruction. He stressed the responsibility of Commonwealth alumni to mentor colleagues lacking international exposure, thereby fostering a knowledge-sharing culture to uplift education standards.
Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan: A Call for Ethical Leadership
Dr. Achan commended the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme for its role in Uganda’s development but raised concerns over corruption’s detrimental effects on national progress. She revealed that corruption costs Uganda an estimated 23% of its national budget, amounting to UGX 10 trillion annually. She urged alumni to be ambassadors of integrity in their respective sectors and called on the UK government to consider offering scholarships in fields such as fraud detection, money laundering, and crime prevention to address emerging global threats.
CEO, Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, Ms. Annabel Boud
Ms. Boud expressed appreciation for the impact of Commonwealth alumni in Uganda’s development, revealing that Uganda secured 52 scholarship slots in the most recent cohort—the highest among all Commonwealth countries in this milestone year. She underscored the importance of intergenerational learning and emphasized the need to align scholarship priorities with Uganda’s national training needs in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Concluding Remarks and Call to Action
The event concluded with a resounding call to action for all alumni to uphold the values of the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme, remain committed to nation-building, and explore innovative ways to give back to their communities. A special recognition session, alumni presentation and a sumptuous meal followed the earlier speeches. As Uganda continues to benefit from this prestigious initiative, CSFAAU reaffirmed its dedication to fostering a network of scholars who drive transformative change across sectors.
The Commonwealth@65 celebration was a testament to the enduring impact of the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme, reinforcing its mission to nurture leaders who champion sustainable development and global progress.
