14 Malawians off to UK universities on Commonwealth Scholarship
Fourteen Malawians will this year be going to study in different UK universities for masters and doctorate degrees in a range of fields such as health, fisheries, electronics, and education, courtesy of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship plan (CSFP).
Speaking on Wednesday during their pre-departure briefing at the British High Commission offices in Lilongwe, director for British Council in Malawi (whose organisation supports the Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows before and after their time in the UK), Reena Johl, congratulated the cohort for making it as scholarship recipients.
Johl said she was delighted with the geographical spread of the Universities and institutions where the scholars are going such as Scotland, Wales, Midlands of England, as well as London where they
will truly get to experience the diversity, creativity and innovation which the UK has to offer.
“Fourteen awards to Malawi have been made this year. That’s a fantastic number and demonstrates the quality of the applications made. The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships foster
relationships between the people of the world by providing learning opportunities, trust in other communities, opportunity to travel, connect, make friends and do business,” said Johl.
For his part, Deputy High Commissioner in Malawi Martin Scales encouraged the scholars to explore the United Kingdom and all it has to offer beyond the educational environment.
“We want you to be Ambassadors for Malawi and fully utilise the networking opportunities
before coming back to make a real difference in the socio economic development of Malawi,”said Scales
One of the scholarship recipients, Tawachi Nyasulu, who will be studying for a PhD in Electronics and Electronic Engineering at University of Strathclyde said: “I feel excited and grateful to be awarded a second Commonwealth scholarship to study in a male dominated field. I look forward to an
enriching research experience that shall contribute to the development of Malawi.”
One of the Commonwealth Scholarship alumnus present at the function, Dr Paul Kamlongera, congratulated the scholars for getting a life-changing opportunity.
He said the Commonwealth alumni community in Malawi remains indebted to Her Majesty’s government for the scholarships that have transformed many people’s lives.
Over 300 Malawians have been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships since the early 1970’s and have undertaken post-graduate studies in the UK.
The Scholarships are funded by a number of UK government departments – primarily UK’s Department for International Department (DFID) and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
This year as well, the UK will be sending 13 students on the prestigious Chevening Scholarship
whose 2017/18 cycle is now open for applications.
They should go to utilize their opportunity accordingly because such advantages do come once in a blue moon in person’s vivacity. For Malawi to develop socially, technologically, politically and economically, it requires well trained personnel.
I agree with the writer below, many malawians get these Phd for showing off to people ( Kushaina) and not use them to improve the lives of fellow malawians. How many malawians with phds but we still import toothpicks from china
.
Its a waste to train Malawians a broad. How many PhDs and Masters? They all behave the same, the can not solve local problems- the essence of education- to improve local welfare. Neither are we manufacturing tissues, singano, pinifolo, clothes, shoes, we even import tomatoes, onions, and maize. Our students only know how to steal mandasi and swearing at passerbys. MBUZI ZENIZENI
That’s good but Malawi has not benefitted much from Malawians who have studied at oversea Universities. Most of them throw their patriotism away and just stay there for good or bad after attaining their qualifications.Why do people have such mentality?
Tiyeni tikagawe matenda ku UK. Show them we are a country of hyenas. Aniva deserves this scholarship too