This could also be discussed on the Malayalam
Wikipedia village pump and/or the mailing list where the community can request the
participants with a list of expectations. When a Wikimedian is awarded the scholarship on
the basis of their own contribution to the larger movement, they do owe their own
community the wisdom they would bring back from Wikimania.
I raised the issue of
repeated scholarship last year, but only now I
understood that the person who mentioned in that thread as a scholarship
reciever, was not attended the Wikimania last year. That is the level of
communication happens from the scholarship receivers.
But I personally don’t see this thread a fruitful one.
Many from your own community might not be active here. While sharing this suggestion with
I’m also thinking in my head that how we could engage with my own community so that they
share such a wishlist. We tried to do it in the past but did not receive many comments.
Maybe there is a way we can innovate. If we succeed, I will create a Learning Pattern, and
share here. :)
It may not be fruitful now, but I think it is important to challenge a
flawed system which give unjustifiable advantage to some.
Although I didn't participate any 'Wikimania scholarship application &
rejection discussion' this year, I am sure that active users in ml.wiki
community are aware of this repeated scholarship phenomena. Also this is
not something a small community can control. After applying for
scholarship, applicants are completely at the 'mercy' of selection
committee.
As you know, Malayalam community is a small community, most people know
each other in the real world. Even here in a mailing list of somewhat
not-so-familiar people, it is very difficult to question a controversial
selection process. You can assume how difficult would it be in an open
place where everybody know everyone else personally.