49th Annual Report (2007-2008) - Commonwealth Scholarship ...

Scholarships
The provision of scholarships to outstanding applicants from across the Commonwealth is at the heart of
the CSC’s work. Commonwealth Scholarships support both PhD research and Master’s study at UK
universities. Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships enable students to spend a year at a UK institution as
part of their PhD studies. The CSC also works in partnership with UK universities to provide Commonwealth
Shared Scholarships. All these programmes bring benefits to Scholars, their home countries, and also the
status of research and learning in the UK, providing access to high quality research supervision and the
UK’s outstanding research infrastructure, as well as developing effective research partnerships across the
Commonwealth.
the next generation and generate new ideas, as
well as play a more direct and immediate role in
policymaking. This will ensure that theory and
practice inform each other.
‘In the longer term, I intend to set up a centre
for the study of ethnic relations to direct research
and policy analysis, which will provide a forum for
meetings between ethnic groups and govern ments
to generate greater understanding.’
Lynn Kuok,
Commonwealth Scholar
from Singapore
Lynn Kuok is a Commonwealth Scholar at the
University of Cambridge, finalising her PhD thesis
on nation-building and its impact on peace and
conflict in multiethnic societies, particularly Singa -
pore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
‘In the past year, I have concluded my editor -
ship of the Cambridge Review of International
Affairs and travelled to Singapore and Malaysia to
gather material and to interview politicians, acad -
emics and members of civil society to find out
first-hand their views. I will soon be travelling to
Indonesia to do the same.
‘I will apply the skills and knowledge acquired
over the duration of my award to promote greater
understanding of how nation-building strategies
interact with societal conditions to contribute to
peace or conflict. A career in academia and polit -
ical consultancy to governments in Singapore and
the region will allow me to shape the thoughts of
Bamba Banja is currently studying for a PhD at
the University of Plymouth, researching the quality
and safety of Gambian fish products for meeting
international fish trade requirements and improving
the nutrition and health of Gambian fish consumers.
When he finishes his studies, he plans to return to his
job as a fisheries inspector.
‘Assuring the quality and safety of fish prod -
ucts for both domestic and export markets is an
increasing focus for the government of The Gambia,
because over 90% of exports of fresh, frozen and
smoked fisheries products are destined for major
international fish markets, particularly the EU.
Therefore, for Gambian fish products to remain
viable and competitive in international trade,
hygiene and sanitary standards must be complied
with, and safety requirements enforced.
‘The knowledge and experience gained from
my studies in the UK will greatly benefit The Gambia,
especially in the areas of food safety and quality,
and also in managing improvements at the Food
Hygiene and Quality Control Laboratory at the
Fisheries Department.’
Marta Lang held a Commonwealth Scholarship
to study for an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservat -
ion and Management at the University of Oxford in
2007. She conducted research on offshore protected
area establishment processes, shark behaviour and
6 Commonwealth Scholarship Commission