Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) doctoral researcher Nitesh Dogne has earned a place in the prestigious Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship for 2025–26. Dogne, who is pursuing his PhD on Indigenous Knowledge System of Tribal Circularity under JMI’s Departments of Planning and Architecture, will spend a year at the University of Bath as part of the funded programme.
His proposal drew interest from several leading UK universities, including University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and Newcastle University, all of which considered his work for the scholarship.
Dogne’s ongoing research looks closely at how the Bhil tribe traditionally manages water, energy, biomass and waste through circular, community-driven practices. Faculty members say these indigenous systems could offer important lessons for India’s goals related to clean water, renewable energy and climate action. The study also seeks to document practices that are fading as urbanisation expands, contributing to the larger discourse on the Indian Knowledge System.
WHAT IS THE COMMONHEALTH SPLIT-SITE SCHOLARSHIP?
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship, awarded by the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), allows PhD students enrolled in a university in any Commonwealth country to undertake part of their research at a UK institution.
Fully funded and highly competitive, the programme selected just 57 scholars from 40 countries in 2024 across all disciplines. It is designed to build long-term academic partnerships and support research linked to development and public-good outcomes.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Under CSC rules, applicants must already be registered as PhD scholars in their home country and have begun their research work. They must demonstrate:
The developmental relevance of their research
How collaboration between the UK host and home university will strengthen their doctoral work
Selection is based on academic excellence, research potential, and the expected impact of the proposed study on the scholar’s home country.
WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS?
The Split-site Scholarship offers comprehensive financial support for the duration of the UK research placement, including:
Full tuition fees at the UK host university
A monthly living allowance
Return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK
Additional research or travel-related funding as approved by the CSC
Support for study-related needs and accessibility requirements
These benefits are structured to ensure scholars can focus completely on their research during their UK stay.
PROGRAMME GOALS
Beyond financial support, the scholarship aims to strengthen international research collaboration and build capacity within home institutions. Scholars are expected to apply their enhanced expertise to teaching, research, and development-focused work once they return.
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