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"Invitations for gifted cousins" ( THES , June 7) provides a timely reminder of the continuing need for scholarships to Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission this year has extra funds enabling us to support about 350 new postgraduate and postdoctoral awards.

But progress is about more than numbers. Equally important is evidence from tracer studies, demonstrating that awardholders meet their obligation to return to and benefit their home countries. Recognising the diversity of needs, we are introducing an additional 60 awards in categories of distance-learning awards and short-term fellowships for mid-career professionals.

Trudy Harpham
Chair, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK