The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) was officially launched on October 24, 2024, by His Majesty, King Charles III, in Samoa, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This innovative interdisciplinary initiative aims to create a significant, lasting impact in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The program will be implemented in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), with the University of South Pacific and the University of the West Indies designated as regional hubs, along with other local and Commonwealth partners, including the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
The KCFP is focused on developing capacity in vital areas such as education, health, and disaster resilience engineering. It will equip local authorities and civil service teams with practical tools and knowledge to build long-term resilience in the face of interconnected development challenges.
The program aims to establish a distinguished network of “King’s Fellows,” fostering partnerships, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving among Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, co-hosted the launch event alongside staff and approximately 50 students from USP’s member countries. He highlighted the KCFP’s launch as a major step forward in capacity building and enhancing educational access across SIDS.
“This initiative by His Majesty King Charles III is exciting and significant, and USP is honored to be a regional hub and a key partner with ACU and the University of the West Indies in implementing the KCFP,” Professor Ahluwalia stated. He noted that the program holds the potential to develop a highly skilled workforce, which is essential for fostering innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable development in SIDS.
Professor Ahluwalia also expressed appreciation to the ACU for making the KCFP a reality. The KCFP will operate under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which has changed the lives of over 38,000 individuals since it was established by Commonwealth education ministers in 1959.
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