The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) was officially launched on October 24, 2024, by His Majesty, King Charles III, in Samoa, coinciding with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This innovative and ambitious interdisciplinary initiative seeks to create a lasting impact in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), with the University of the South Pacific and the University of the West Indies acting as regional hubs, alongside various local and Commonwealth partners, including the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
The KCFP is focused on enhancing capacity in critical areas such as education, health, and disaster resilience engineering. The programme aims to equip local authorities and civil service teams with practical tools and knowledge, fostering long-term resilience while addressing interconnected developmental challenges.
By establishing a network of “King’s Fellows,” the programme will promote partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collective problem-solving among Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
During the launch ceremony, co-hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, around 50 students from USP’s member countries were in attendance. Professor Ahluwalia emphasized the importance of the KCFP in enhancing capacity and access to education across SIDS.
“This is an exciting and remarkable initiative led by His Majesty King Charles III, and USP is proud to serve as a regional hub and key partner with ACU and the University of the West Indies in implementing the KCFP,” stated Professor Ahluwalia. “The programme has the capacity to develop a highly skilled workforce essential for fostering innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable development in SIDS.”
He also expressed appreciation to the ACU for making the KCFP possible. The initiative will fall under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which has positively impacted the lives of over 38,000 individuals since its establishment by Commonwealth education ministers in 1959.
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