2016 Commonwealth Scholarships - MSc And Phd

Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth. For information on other scholarships offered by the CSC, visit our Apply page.

You can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship for the following levels of study:

- Master’s (one-year courses only)
- PhD

All subject areas are eligible, although the CSC’s selection criteria give priority to applications that demonstrate the strongest relevance to development.

You should apply to study at a UK university with which the CSC has a part funding agreement.

Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, you must:

Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person
Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2016
By October 2016, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)

The CSC promotes equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural exchange. Applications are encouraged from a diverse range of candidates. The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner.

Selection process
Each year, the CSC invites selected nominating bodies to submit a specific number of nominations. The deadline for nominating bodies to submit nominations to the CSC is 17 December 2015.

The CSC invites around three times more nominations than scholarships available – therefore, nominated candidates are not guaranteed to be awarded a scholarship. There are no quotas for scholarships for any individual country. Candidates nominated by national nominating agencies are in competition with those nominated by other nominating bodies, and the same standards will be applied to applications made through either channel.

Each nominated candidate’s application is first considered by a member of the CSC’s panel of advisers with expertise in the subject area concerned, and then by the CSC’s selection committee in competition with other candidates.


Applications are considered according to the following selection criteria:
Academic merit of the candidate
Quality of the proposal
Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country

For further details, see the Selection criteria for 2016 Commonwealth Scholarships for developing Commonwealth country citizens

You may also find the Feedback for unsuccessful candidates useful.

How to apply
You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships:




National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application
Selected universities/university bodies, which can nominate their own academic staff.
Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

All applications must be made through your nominating body in your home country. Each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, and for their own closing date for applications. The CSC does not impose any age limit on applicants, but nominating bodies may do so in line with their own priorities.

You must make your application using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS).

Your application must be submitted to and endorsed by one of the approved nominating bodies listed above. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS to a nominating body in your home country.

All applications must be submitted by 19 November 2015 at the latest . Please note that this is an earlier deadline than in previous years.


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OAU Students Pay Condolence Visit To The Awolowo Family

By David Adetula

Scores of Obafemi Awolowo University students have joined several other prominent Nigerians to condole with the Awolowo family over the demise of Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the wife of the foremost Nigerian leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The students arrived the Awolowo family compound in Ikenne, Ogun state at about some minutes past 4pm and were received by the eldest daughter of the late icon, Mrs Omotola Oyediran Awolowo and other family members.

In the condolence message of the students which was delivered by the Students’ Union president, Omotayo Akande a.k.a TY, he craved the indulgence of the family to introduce the leadership of the Union present and he went further to say that the students of OAU afforded the long trip even in the midst of their examinations because of the immense contributions of the family to the creation and development of the institution.

The vice president of the SU, Oladunjoye Opeyemi a.k.a Oprah and the chairman of Awolowo Hall, Aro also corroborated the president’s words by describing mama as someone of great significance and a role model especially to many women. They however promised the family that her name will forever be remembered within the Great Ife community.


Responding to the students, the eldest daughter of the deceased appreciated them for taking out time to come that far and prayed that God would grant them a safe journey back to Ife. She said that they are all celebrating the dedication of Papa (Obafemi Awolowo) and Mama (H.I.D Awolowo) and therefore advised the students to be dedicated to good cause.

“Many politicians have died and they are not celebrated. We are all celebrating the dedication of papa and mama. Please shun cultism and face your studies and you will be celebrated too. We miss mama.”

She also used the opportunity to invite the students to the burial ceremony of mama which will come up on November 25, the day HID Awolowo would have been a 100 years old.

Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo passed on to glory on 19th September, 2015 at the ripe age of 99. She was the First Lady of Western Region, Nigeria between October 1, 1954 and October 1, 1960.

See pictures of the visit below:

Campus Academic Summit With Tolulope Ahmed & Ebenezer Fanijo

Two academic generals who are first class graduates of Obafemi Awolowo University have put together a campus academic summit which is aimed at;

*Academic excellence (How to achieve 5.0 CGPA every semester)
*How to set academic goals and realize it - Having the end in mind (Knowing the graduating CGPA from now)
NB: Everyone is enjoined to bring their departmental handbook while coming for the summit (so as to actively participate in calculating their graduating CGPA)


*Real life testimonies of Academic Excellence from students of OAU and our neighboring Universities/higher institutions who have adopted the principles in "10Laws of Academic Excellence to their advantage" and other self actualized principles.
*How the universe works through incorporating the God's factors in Academics.
*How to achieve any of your goals in life and become a better person afterwards (asides academics)
*Financial intelligence, amidst others.

Free copies of 10 laws of academic excellence will be given to the first fifty people.
A registration fee of N500 will be paid which covers the cost of training materials and free drinks.

To register, contact Bolanle - 08137470937, Alexander - 07063013062, Kayode – 08037987933

OAU Students Protest Poor Education State & Salary Debts (Pictures)

By David Adetula

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University once again demonstrated their consciousness of the poor state of education in Nigeria as they took to the streets of Ibadan in Oyo state to protest.

Hundreds of Ife students who came in Coaster buses led by the Students’ Union of the institution lamented at the current neglect the education sector has been subjected to. The students further claimed that there is no difference in the sector even as our leaders shout change. In the words of the Union president, Omotayo Akande a.k.a TY while addressing pressmen in the Oyo capital, the rot in the education system he said is eating deeper.

“Our education sector has been neglected and we are saying change is here. Recently, a part of our hostel collapsed and we are lucky there was no one there around that time. The hostels are old and are not maintained. The students pay for these things, yet no improvement.

“The Union at this junction uses this medium to demand an immediate abolition of fee on Nigerian campuses. If the government could unreasonably commit a huge part of our yearly budget towards servicing the pockets of greedy politicians, it must as a matter of priority divert such attention to committing reasonable budgetary allocation, at least 26% to the education sector.”


Also speaking in similar tone, the Adekunle Fajuyi hall chairman, Folorunso Sunday a.k.a Sunnepa said education is not fully funded and that has deprived common Nigerian of the dividend of government. He further pointed that education has a great role to play in economic development.

The protest which started from Iwo road saw the students trek down to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) office where they were granted audience after serious resistance. The students later proceeded to the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) secretariat where they also dropped their press statement.

The students also used the same medium to protest the non-payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners’ arrears particularly in Osun and Oyo states. According to them, their parents who have not been paid for about five (5) months can no longer afford their school fees and funding for their upkeep.

See pictures of the protest below:

Breaking News: OAU Students Protest Poor State Of Nigerian Education

By David Adetula

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University once again demonstrated their consciousness on the poor state of the Nigerian education system as they took their protest to the streets of Ibadan, Oyo state.

Hundreds of Ife students who came in coaster buses led by the Students' Union of the institution lamented the neglect the education sector has been subiected to. In the words of the Union president, Omotayo Akande while addressing the Press in Oyo state capital, he said the rot in the education system is eating deeper.

"Our education sector has been neglected and we are saying change is here.

"Just yesterday, a section of our hostel collapsed and we were lucky not to have our students present in that part at that time.

"The hostels are old and we pay for these things, yet no improvement."

The protest which started from Iwo road saw the students trek down to NTA Ibadan from where they proceeded to NUJ Press Centre.

More details later...

Awo Boys Celebrate Nigerian Independence In Style

Residents of the most populous Hall of Residence, Awolowo Hall in Obafemi Awolowo University is at it again as they celebrate Nigeria @55 in a grand style.

Awoites dressed in white and green moved around the other halls while they sing choruses.

Photo credit: ACJ OAU

WHO Declares Nigeria Polio Free

The World Health Organization has announced that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria. This is the first time that Nigeria has interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing the country and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, called this a ‘historic achievement’ in global health. Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus since 24 July 2014, and all laboratory data have confirmed a full 12 months have passed without any new cases.

As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide. This success is the result of a concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers. More than 200,000 volunteers across the country repeatedly immunized more than 45 million children under the age of five years, to ensure that no child would suffer from this paralysing disease. Innovative approaches, such as increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency Operations Centres at the national and state level, have also been pivotal to Nigeria’s success.

The interruption of wild poliovirus transmission in Nigeria would have been impossible without the support and commitment of donors and development partners. Their continued support, along with continued domestic funding from Nigeria, will be essential to keep Nigeria and the entire region polio-free.

Polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis, has now been stopped nearly everywhere in the world following a 25-year concerted international effort. Polio remains endemic in only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan. The eradication of polio globally now depends primarily on stopping the disease in these countries. As long as preat to children everywhere.

Nigeria has made remarkable progress against polio, but continued vigilance is needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return. Immunization and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect a potential re-introduction or re-emergence of the virus. After three years have passed without a case of wild polio virus on the continent, official ‘certification’ of polio eradication will be conducted at the regional level in Africa.

Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human history, and have a positive impact on global health for generations to come. Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving this goal and it’s critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio for good and ensure future generations of children are free from this devastating disease.

“The outstanding commitment and efforts that got Nigeria off the endemic list must continue, to keep Africa polio-free. We must now support the efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan so they soon join the polio-free world.” – Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health Organization.

“We Nigerians are proud today. With local innovation and national persistence, we have beaten polio. We know our vigilance and efforts must continue in order to keep Nigeria polio-free.” –  Dr Ado Muhammad, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria

“Stopping polio in Nigeria has been a clear example that political engagement, strong partnerships and community engagement are the engines that drive the momentum of public health programmes, enabling them to achieve great things. I would like to congratulate everyone, particularly political, religious and community leaders in Nigeria and across Africa, for reaching a year without cases of wild polio.” – Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa




“This is a clear example of success under very difficult circumstances. It shows we can eradicate polio if proven strategies are fully implemented. Combined with the news of the eradication of type 2 wild polio virus last week, we are moving decisively toward ending a disease that has paralyzed tens of millions of children. In this final mile, we must remain committed to providing the resources and the support to the front lines to make this worthy goal a reality.” – Dr Tom Frieden, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Chairman of the Polio Oversight Board

“Rotary congratulates Nigeria on its tremendous accomplishment in stopping polio. On behalf of the entire Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we thank volunteers, health workers and parents in communities across Nigeria for their tireless commitment to ensuring every last child is protected against this devastating disease. In the months ahead, their dedication will remain as important as ever, as we work to keep Nigeria polio-free and to eliminate polio from its final strongholds in Pakistan and Afghanistan.” – K.R. Ravindran, President, Rotary International

“This is a significant milestone for the global polio eradication effort and the health workers, government and religious leaders and partners should be proud of this accomplishment. While the progress in Nigeria should be celebrated, it is also fragile. It is critical that Nigeria goes two more years without a case of polio which will require the support of partners, increased accountability at all levels of the program led by President Buhari, and increased domestic funding commitments.” – Chris Elias, President, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“The removal of Nigeria from the list of polio-endemic countries is a major victory for Nigeria’s children.  It is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Government of Nigeria, local leaders, and front line workers. And it is proof positive that if we work together in partnership to reach every community and immunize every child, we can finish the job of eradicating this evil disease everywhere, once and for all.” – Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF


Source: http://healthnewsng.com/polio-is-no-longer-endemic-in-nigeria-who/