The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) was officially inaugurated on October 24, 2024, by His Majesty, King Charles III, in Samoa during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The KCFP is an innovative and ambitious initiative aimed at creating significant, long-lasting effects in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. It will be implemented in collaboration with members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), positioning The University of the South Pacific and the University of the West Indies as regional hubs, alongside other local and Commonwealth partners including the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
The primary focus of the programme is to enhance capacity in essential fields such as education, healthcare, and disaster resilience engineering. It will empower local governments and civil service teams with practical tools and insights to promote enduring resilience through a holistic approach to overlapping development challenges.
By establishing a distinguished network of “King’s Fellows,” the initiative seeks to encourage collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint problem-solving among Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The launch ceremony was co-hosted by Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, alongside university staff and about 50 students from member countries of USP.
Professor Ahluwalia highlighted the KCFP as a noteworthy achievement in capacity building and enhancing educational access across SIDS. He expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “This is an exciting and remarkable initiative by His Majesty King Charles III, and USP is delighted to serve as a regional hub and key partner with ACU and the University of the West Indies in implementing the KCFP.”
He further emphasized the programme’s potential to develop a highly skilled workforce, which is essential for fostering innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth in SIDS. Professor Ahluwalia also extended his appreciation to the ACU for making the KCFP a reality.
The KCFP is part of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which has positively impacted the lives of over 38,000 individuals since it was established by Commonwealth education ministers in 1959.
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