The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) was officially launched on October 24, 2024, in Samoa, in the presence of His Majesty, King Charles III, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The KCFP is an innovative interdisciplinary initiative aimed at creating lasting positive change in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The programme is a collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), utilizing The University of the South Pacific and the University of the West Indies as regional hubs, alongside various local and Commonwealth partners such as the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
The initiative focuses on building capacity in essential areas, including education, health, and disaster resilience engineering. It aims to equip local authorities and civil service teams with practical tools and knowledge necessary for enhancing long-term resilience through a holistic approach to developmental challenges.
The programme seeks to establish a prominent network of “King’s Fellows,” promoting partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving among Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The launch ceremony was co-hosted by Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, along with staff and about 50 students from USP’s member countries. He highlighted the KCFP as a crucial milestone for capacity building and improving educational access across SIDS.
“This extraordinary initiative by His Majesty King Charles III positions USP as a key partner and regional hub, in collaboration with ACU and the University of the West Indies,” said Professor Ahluwalia. He emphasized the programme’s potential to nurture a skilled workforce essential for fostering innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable development within SIDS.
Professor Ahluwalia also extended his appreciation to the ACU for making the KCFP a reality.
The KCFP will operate under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which has positively impacted over 38,000 individuals since its establishment by Commonwealth education ministers in 1959.
Leave a comment