The Khalili Foundation, a global leader in promoting peace through arts, culture, and education, has been named as the Founding Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP). The announcement was made at an event held at the University of Samoa, attended by His Majesty King Charles III, Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, and The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas.
Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the world’s most vulnerable nations, facing significant economic and environmental pressures. These challenges include youth out-migration, skills shortages in public sectors, and severe effects of climate change, all of which threaten peace and stability across their societies.
The newly introduced fellowship programme has been crafted in response to these urgent issues and will be delivered in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). This ambitious, three-part initiative will provide mid-career fellowships, undergraduate scholarships, and PhD opportunities, creating sustained positive impact for SIDS communities over short, medium, and long terms.
Inspired by The King and launched with the support of The Khalili Foundation, alongside a significant personal donation from His Majesty, the programme has been developed in partnership with universities and stakeholders from SIDS and across the Commonwealth.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, expressed:
“We at the Khalili Foundation are honoured and proud to be the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme and to support the ACU in this quest to support Small Island Developing States combat climate change.
His Majesty has been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and encouraging harmonious societies for many decades, issues and values that are closely aligned to our mission and priorities at the Foundation. I look forward to this being the beginning of a long and impactful partnership.”
