Trinidadian Elliot Ross-Dick has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarship, earning the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.
Ross-Dick was announced as the recipient during an awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, following a competitive selection process which saw eight candidates advance to the final stage.
Announcing the winner, President of Barbados, His Excellency the Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, said the selection committee had been impressed by the candidates, but ultimately had only one scholarship to award.
“We’ve been impressed by you, and we know that you have what it takes to go to the University of Oxford,” Bostic said.
He said the successful candidate was expected to represent the 17 nations of the Commonwealth Caribbean.
The Rhodes Scholarship was established following a contribution made by Cecil Rhodes to the University of Oxford in 1902. The first scholarship recipient enrolled in 1903.
Speaking after the announcement, Ross-Dick said he was filled with joy and gratitude, acknowledging the people who had supported him throughout his journey.
“I think that I wouldn’t have been able to make this journey without my community,” he said.
He said he was already thinking about the opportunities ahead and the next chapter of his academic journey.
At Oxford, Ross-Dick plans to pursue studies in education, beginning with research, design and methods in education before moving on to international and comparative education.
He also expressed gratitude to the people who had helped him reach the milestone, describing their support as instrumental in his achievement.
