Sir Malcolm Rifkind to chair Committee into the Future of Commonwealth Studies at UoL
The University of London is establishing a Committee to conduct an inquiry into the future of Commonwealth Studies at the University. Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former UK Foreign Secretary, is to chair the Committee. No decision on the future of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies will be taken until the Committee has concluded its work.
The Committee will have three key objectives:
- To consider future provision at the University of London for Commonwealth Studies;
- To recommend partnerships to support scholarship in this area;
- To identify potential viable sources of sustainable funding for Commonwealth Studies, beyond that which is available from the University or short-term research grants.
The first meeting of the Committee is expected to be in January 2021 with work concluded by the end of June 2021.
Full membership of the Committee will be published ahead of the first meeting in the new year.
Sir Malcolm said:
I am very much looking forward to chairing this Inquiry. Commonwealth studies are important to the future wellbeing of the Commonwealth. We will aim to make recommendations that will work well for the University of London and strengthen the Commonwealth for the years ahead.
Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London said:
Over the last two months we’ve met with a range of stakeholders with Commonwealth affiliations who have shown a renewed interest in the future of the Institute and a commitment to supporting the study of the modern Commonwealth at the University. Sir Malcolm and the Committee will be able to explore a range of new and exciting potential partnerships.