Directory of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows 1960 – 2002
Directory of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows 1960 – 2002
Directory of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows 1960 – 2002
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One ‘bias’, which is easy to detect, is towards those who have received their awards in the relatively recent past.<br />
Over half <strong>of</strong> those included received their awards in the past fifteen years, whilst only a quarter did so in the first<br />
twenty years <strong>of</strong> the Plan. This feature is likely to underplay, rather than exaggerate, the impact <strong>of</strong> alumni, since it<br />
is fair to assume that award holders obtain their most prominent roles towards the end <strong>of</strong> their career. Thus,<br />
although the record presented in the pr<strong>of</strong>iles is impressive, it is not likely to be untypically so.<br />
Although the <strong>Directory</strong> has been published jointly by the authorities in Canada <strong>and</strong> the United Kingdom, this<br />
collaboration developed only after the respective surveys <strong>of</strong> the two countries had taken place. The questionnaires<br />
on which our data is based were designed to extract different information. Most notably, the UK survey sought<br />
more details <strong>of</strong> past career history <strong>and</strong> non-paid positions than the Canadian one. Thus, although much <strong>of</strong> the UK<br />
information (such as main publications) has been left out on the grounds <strong>of</strong> space, entries from UK based award<br />
holders tend to be longer than those <strong>of</strong> the Canadian counterparts. This should not be taken to suggest that<br />
Canadian alumni play fewer roles, for example, in public or voluntary activity. It is much more likely to reflect<br />
the nature <strong>of</strong> the information available to us. Canadian entries were also disproportionately affected by the ‘time<br />
bias’ referred to above <strong>–</strong> 89% <strong>of</strong> those whose pr<strong>of</strong>iles were included received their awards after 1980.<br />
Since the authorities in Canada <strong>and</strong> the United Kingdom have compiled the <strong>Directory</strong>, the overwhelming majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>iles inevitably involve those who have studied in these two countries. We have, however, been able to<br />
include a small number <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>iles <strong>of</strong> UK based students who have held their awards in developing countries, <strong>and</strong> it<br />
is worth drawing particular attention to these. The opportunity for British students to hold <strong>Commonwealth</strong> awards<br />
in India or Jamaica, or, for that matter, for Canadians to go to Malaysia, Nigerians to Trinidad or New Zeal<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Tanzanians to Mauritius or Sierra Leoneans to Brunei Darussalam, all in the name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commonwealth</strong> <strong>Scholars</strong>hips,<br />
represents one <strong>of</strong> the distinctive features <strong>of</strong> the Plan. Although a start has been made here in recording these<br />
individuals, in general we know too little about their experiences <strong>and</strong> achievements. It is to be hoped that such<br />
award holders will play a full part in the wider alumni activity, which we hope this <strong>Directory</strong> will stimulate.<br />
Before discussing the results <strong>of</strong> the questionnaire in more detail, two further reservations should be stated. First,<br />
as investment managers are prone to point out, past records are not necessarily a guide to future performance.<br />
The founding fathers <strong>of</strong> the CSFP recognised that needs would change over time, <strong>and</strong> that the precise nature <strong>of</strong><br />
awards would change to reflect this. At no time has this been more prevalent than in the past few years. In the<br />
late 1990s, the Canadians led the way by introducing a new category <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commonwealth</strong> <strong>Scholars</strong>hip by distance<br />
learning <strong>–</strong> a model which has since been followed by the United Kingdom. Other UK innovations in recent years<br />
have included the introduction <strong>of</strong> short-term pr<strong>of</strong>essional fellowships <strong>and</strong> split-site doctorates. Each <strong>of</strong> these<br />
developments has been intended to increase impact, relevance <strong>and</strong> accessibility. It will be some years before we<br />
can say with certainty whether these aims will be met. For now, it is sufficient to note that the alumni presented<br />
here reflect the selection methods <strong>of</strong> their respective periods as award holders.<br />
Finally, a more general reservation. The compiling <strong>of</strong> this <strong>Directory</strong> has been undertaken largely by the core<br />
teams which administer the CSFP in the United Kingdom <strong>and</strong> Canada, supplemented by a small number <strong>of</strong> shortterm<br />
staff. Although checks have taken place, where possible, to ensure the accuracy <strong>of</strong> information presented<br />
against those records already held, we have inevitably relied to a considerable extent on the accuracy <strong>of</strong><br />
information provided by survey recipients, supplemented in places by our own knowledge <strong>and</strong> assumptions. It is<br />
possible that these factors will have led to some inaccuracies <strong>and</strong> inconsistencies in the final data presented. If so,<br />
we hope that readers will accept our apologies <strong>and</strong> receive the <strong>Directory</strong> in the spirit in which it is intended. As<br />
we state below, our intention is to maintain the information electronically in future, <strong>and</strong> any corrections or further<br />
information to be included in this exercise will be welcome.<br />
Emerging Trends<br />
In spite <strong>of</strong> these reservations, the evidence from award holders to date makes impressive reading. As stated<br />
above, our intention is to move beyond ‘justification by anecdote’. Nevertheless, <strong>Commonwealth</strong> <strong>Scholars</strong>hips<br />
would do well under such an analysis. Taking the three careers <strong>of</strong> politics, the civil service <strong>and</strong> academia as<br />
examples, our traces have already revealed over a hundred alumni who have held the position <strong>of</strong> Cabinet Minister,<br />
Permanent Secretary or Vice-Chancellor.<br />
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