Biographical Sketch: John KIRKLAND
Forum Presenter
Institution: Association of Commonwealth Universities
Country: Other (non-African institution)
Dr John Kirkland is Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, the UK government's main arm for scholarships for developing countries. He is also Deputy Secretary-General (Development) of the Association pf Commonwealth Universities, and Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth Universities Study Abraod Consortium.
In recent years Commonwealth Scholarships have had a particularly innovative record in developing new forms of study, such as large scale distance learning and split-site programs, in additional to providing conventional opportunities for postgraduate study. The scheme has a particular afinity with higher education, with approximately half of its 16,000 alumni working in the sector.
In his role at the ACU, Dr Kirkland overseas programs and networks for several university staff in key areas, such as research management, libraries, human resources, extension work and public universities. The ACU is the world's oldest, and one of the largest, university associations with almost 500 members, two-thirds coming from low and middle income countries.
Prior to joining the ACU in 1999, Dr Kirkland was Secretary of the UK National institute of Economic Reserach from 1994-99, and prior to that Director of Reserach Services at Brunel University, also in the UK, from 1988-94.
In recent years Commonwealth Scholarships have had a particularly innovative record in developing new forms of study, such as large scale distance learning and split-site programs, in additional to providing conventional opportunities for postgraduate study. The scheme has a particular afinity with higher education, with approximately half of its 16,000 alumni working in the sector.
In his role at the ACU, Dr Kirkland overseas programs and networks for several university staff in key areas, such as research management, libraries, human resources, extension work and public universities. The ACU is the world's oldest, and one of the largest, university associations with almost 500 members, two-thirds coming from low and middle income countries.
Prior to joining the ACU in 1999, Dr Kirkland was Secretary of the UK National institute of Economic Reserach from 1994-99, and prior to that Director of Reserach Services at Brunel University, also in the UK, from 1988-94.