52nd Annual Report 2010-2011 - Commonwealth Scholarship ...

2e. Distance Learning Scholarship activity in 2010/2011: 763 scholarships (127 new awards and 636 continuers).2f. The Events programme provides opportunities for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows to network andexpand their exposure to relevant subjects. The events are typically seminars lasting one to two days. Anadjustment has been made in the account as in prior financial years expenditure was understated by £22,415.2g. External Liaison expenditure is broken down below. The FCO contributed £17,000, and DFID funded thebalance of alumni programme costs.Description Sum (£)Alumni programme 78,233Welcome Programme 23,443Staff costs 46,500Student events/other activities 32,692CSC Annual Report to DFID 2,2032h. The Electronic Application System (EAS) was completed in 2009/2010, with reported expenditure includingcosts of software development, maintenance, and staff time. Ongoing annual running costs are estimated ataround £40,000.2i. Evaluation expenditure includes staff costs and the direct costs of report publication and associated meetings.The FCO contributed £3,000, and DFID funded the balance.2j. The CSC’s work was acknowledged at the 17th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (17CCEM),and at the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The 50th anniversary of the CSCwas marked by a policy review conference, to which alumni contributed.3. Administration feesThis section details the administration fees claimed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and theBritish Council (BC) for activity undertaken on behalf of the CSC, and the operating costs of the CSC. Activityundertaken by the ACU and the BC was in line with the menu of services agreed in the Memorandum ofUnderstanding between the CSC, the ACU, and the BC.3a. CSC costs payable to Travelex as an external agency handling arrival payments to Commonwealth awardholders. An adjustment has been made in the account as Travelex costs were overstated in prior years.3b. CSC operating costs – the main items of expenditure are:• CSC selection and policy meetings• production of materials for applicants and associated advertising• stationery and postage• English language testing of applicants3c. Members of the CSC are not remunerated. The Chair receives an honorarium: Professor Tim Unwin received£6,000 from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011. Members receive an honorarium of £250 for each selectioncommittee on which they serve. The CSC’s travel policy is published on the CSC website.4. Value Added Tax (VAT)Awards made to scholars are outside the scope of VAT. Education fees are VAT exempt. The administration fees ofthe ACU and the BC are VAT standard-rated, reclaimable by Government, and thus not shown in the accounts.45