Japan Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad

Overview

The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad, or “Overseas Application Scholarship” for short, is carried out as special program to support overseas students in the most-difficult first years of their enrolment in Japanese universities and graduate schools. Japanese language ability is not evaluated in the application-screening process.
Persons who have held a Yoneyama scholarship in the past are not eligible for this scholarship.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Japanese universities that carry out a program of “pre-arrival admission approval,” under which overseas students can submit application documents, take entrance examinations, and receive admission acceptance/non-acceptance notice without coming to Japan.

The Overseas Application Scholarship is carried out through linkage with universities that enroll overseas students through the pre-arrival admission system.

*For your information: See the list of universities that issue “pre-arrival admission approval” here at the website of Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).

The Program’s Eligibility Requirements
For more details, please see the application guide which is downloadable from the lower part of this page.

	(1)	Have already chosen the university or graduate school s/he will apply for
	(2)	Be in the process of applying for admission
	(3)	For the subject university to have a system for issuing “pre-arrival admission approval(*).” * “Pre-arrival admission approval” is system whereby applicants to Japanese universities and graduate schools are allowed to take the entrance examination and apply for admission while in their countries without having to come to Japan to do so.

Number of Awardees

Thirty-four (34) applicants are scheduled to be selected — one from each Rotary district.

Japan’s Rotary organization is divided into 34 districts. Each district has established within it a selection committee. A document review of each scholarship application is conducted by the district selection committee in the area of the applicant’s targeted university and by the Foundation’s own selection committee, which makes the final selection decisions.

Scholarship Tenures

-For April 2012 enrolment
(1)Undergraduates: Two years from April 2012 through March 2014
(2)Graduate students: Two years from April 2012 through March 2014
(3)Research students: One year from April 2012 through March 2013, with a possible extension of another year for those who wish to go on to earn a degree.

-For October (September) 2012 enrolment
(1)Undergraduates: Two years from October (September) 2012 through September (August) 2014
(2)Graduate students: Two years from October (September) 2012 through September (August) 2014
(3)Research students: One year from October (September) 2012 through September (August) 2013 with a possible extension of another year for those who wish to go on to earn a degree.

Scholarship Amounts

(1)Undergraduates:	100,000 yen per month
(2)Master’s students:	140,000 yen per month
(3)Doctoral students:	140,000 yen per month
(4)Research students (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral research students):	100,000 yen per month

Supplemental

Only for the first year of the scholarship, a supplemental of 400,000 yen is provided upon arrival in Japan.

Application/Selection Schedule

a)Download the application guide and application documents from the lower part of this page.

b)Please send all the application documents to the following address:

ROTARY YONEYAMA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, Inc.
Kokuryu-Building, 2-6-15 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-0011 JAPAN

c)Application deadline: 15 October 2011 for both April and October 2012 enrolments (Application documents must arrive by the date.)

d)Selections: Basically made by document review (When deemed necessary the district selection committee may interview the applicant, either by going to his/her country, over Skype, or by phone.)

Copy of Pre-arrival Admission Approval Certificate

The deadlines for submitting a copy of the Pre-arrival Admission Approval Certificate to the Foundation are as follows:
-For April 2012 enrolment: By the end of January 2012
-For October 2012: By the end of June 2012

Submitting a Pre-arrival Admission Approval Certificate satisfies the scholarship application requirement. However, if the applicant is rejected for admission to the issuing university, s/he will lose eligibility for the scholarship at that point.

Announcement of Selection Results

Notification of selection results is made by mail at the following times:
a) For April enrolment: Beginning of February 2012
b) For fall enrolment: End of June 2012

Arrival in Japan and Payment of Scholarship

Yoneyama scholars are to arrive in Japan prior to the month of their admission. Irrespective of the reason, if they do not arrive in Japan by the month that their scholarship will begin to be paid, as indicated below, they will lose their eligibility.

a) For April enrolment: Scholarship payment begins in April 2012
b) For fall enrolment: Scholarship payment begins in October 2012 (or September for some universities)

Application Guide and Prescribed Forms

When applying, please download and use the following documents:Application Guide for Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad
Application for Scholarship
Research Plan at Japanese University
Composition “Objective of my studies in Japan”
Recommendation Letter

Contact Information

If you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or fax.

Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, Inc.

E-mail: scholars@rotary-yoneyama.or.jp
FAX: +81-3-3578-8281

http://www.rotary-yoneyama.or.jp/overseas-s/index_english.html

Scholarships at the Institute for Media Innovation at Nanyang Technological University

The Institute for Media Innovation at Nanyang Technological University invites applications for doctoral positions to work in Singapore, in the area of physics based simulation of clothes, virtual try on of clothes, interactive virtual worlds, interactive augmented reality, behavior models for virtual humans as well as social robots, simulation of medical articulations, group and crowds modeling, and related topics. Students will have an opportunity to work in the area of cutting-edge interactive 3D simulation with top equipment as cave and real-time motion capture in a multidisciplinary team.

Eligibility

The doctoral positions require a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related area from a reputed University. Strong capacity and commitment to research is mandatory.

The candidates should apply using the online system with a CV, a brief statement of potential research, and two letters of recommendation clearly stating IMI on their application (https://wis.ntu.edu.sg/webexe/owa/pga$rsh_main.menu). Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

NTU (http://www.ntu.edu.sg) and IMI (http://imi.ntu.edu.sg/) offer vibrant multidisciplinary research environment, both students and faculty members enjoy a host of opportunities for research collaboration with world-leading universities and renowned institutes. There is a strong research culture where innovation and critical enquiry are key features, NTU researchers are immersed in the best of work environment.

The University has invested heavily in research, creating some of the best laboratories and research centers in the world. IMI is housed in the S$25 million nine-storey Research Techno Plaza (RTP: http://www.street-directory.com/ntu/pixAround/rtp.htm), which forms the University’s research hub with four interdisciplinary research corridors and 10 research centers housed in it.

Activities of the research centers are linked to their international counterparts, turning the campus into mini Silicon Valley yielding landmark innovations. Singapore has low income tax and a doctoral student is not likely to pay any income tax on their stipend (see http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190). A student gets a waiver of the Tuition fee and funding support for conferences are provided on merit and performance basis. Additional Teaching Assistant opportunities may also be available year three onwards.

For more details please refer to IMI website http://imi.ntu.edu.sg
Contact: imi-phd@ntu.edu.sg or +65-6592 7721
Deadline: continuous
Intakes: January and July

http://imi.ntu.edu.sg/IMIGraduatePrograms/Documents/CALL%20FOR%20PhD%20POSITIONS%20NTU-Singapore.pdf

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) for International Undergraduate Students

Overview

2012-2013 Korean Government Scholarship Program for International Students for an Undergraduate Degree. Korean government invites 100 international students from 62 countries who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Korea. To be selected as a KGSP grantee, any applicant should successfully pass through the 1st selection process set by the Korean embassies (or Consulates) of his or her origin. So to apply for the program, please contact the 1st selection organizations to get detailed information on the 1st selection process such as application deadline and required documents, etc.

* Application deadline may differ from one country to another; it will be expected to fall in late September or early October. As for the application guideline, please refer to the attached files.

1. Objective

The objective of the Korean Government Scholarship Program for an undergraduate degree is to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea in order to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between the countries.

2. Total Number of Scholarships Available: 100 [from 62 countries]

Afghanistan 1, Angola 2, Azerbaijan 1, Bangladesh 3, Bolivia 2, Brazil 2, Brunei 1, Bulgaria 1, Butan 1, Cambodia 2, Chile 1, Colombia 3, Congo(DRC) 1, Dominica 2, Egypt 1, El Salvador 1, Ethiopia 3, Gabon 1, Ghana 2, Guatemala 1, Indonesia 2, Iran 2, Japan 2, Kazakhstan 2, Kenya 2, Kuwait 1, Kyrgyzstan 2, Laos 2, Malaysia 1, Mexico 2, Mongolia 3, Mozambique 1, Myanmar 1, Nepal 3, Nigeria 2, Oman 1, Pakistan 2, Panama 2, Paraguay 2, Peru 3, Philippines 2, Poland 1, Romania 2, Rwanda 1, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 1, Senegal 1, Singapore 1, South Africa 1, Sri Lanka 3, Sweden 1, Tajikistan 1, Tanzania 1, Thailand 1, Timor-Este 1, Turkey 1, Uganda 1, Ukraine 2, Uzbekistan 2, Venezuela 1, Vietnam 2, Yemen 1

3. Academic Programs: Undergraduate degree course (4 yrs.) after preliminary Korean Language course (1yr.)

Grantees should take a preliminary Korean language course at the institution designated by NIIED. The institution will be specified in a letter of invitation after the announcement of final successful candidates.
Grantees should reach level 3 in TOPIK after the completion of a Korean language course.
The grantees with level 5 or higher in TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) can be exempt from the preliminary Korean language course. They may begin their bachelor’s degree course in the coming spring or fall semester.

4. Fields of Study: 4-year undergraduate degree programs provided by the universities below

1. Ajou University
2. Cheongju University
3. Chonnam National University
4. Chosun University
5. Chungbuk National University
6. Chungnam National University
7. Daegu University
8. Daejeon University
9. Dong-A University
10. Dongguk University
11. Ewha Woman’s University
12. Gyonggi University
13. Gyeongsang National University
14. Hanllym University
15. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
16. Hanyang University
17. Inha University
18. Jeonju University
19. Kangwon National University
20. Keimyung University
21. Kongju National University
22. Konkuk University
23. Kongyang University
24. Kookmin University
25. Korea University
26. Kyunghee University
27. Mokpo National University
28. Myongji University
29. Pai Chai University
30. Pukyung National University
31. Pusan National University
32. Seoul National University
33. Sogang University
34. Sookmyung Women’s University
35. Soon Chun Yang University
36. Sung Kyun Kwan University
37. Sunmoon University
38. Ulsan University
39. Woosuk University
40. Woosong University
41. Yonsei University

5. Qualifications: Prospective applicant must meet the following qualification criteria;

1. Must be a citizen of the country to which scholarships are offered, which is also applied to his/her parents
   • Both applicant and his/her parents must not be a holder of Korean citizenship
2. Should be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2012 (Should be born after March, 1, 1987)
3. Have adequate health, both physically and mentally
   • NOT Eligible: those who are pregnant or who have a severe illness
4. Have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from a high school as of March 1, 2012
   • NOT Eligible: those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree
5. Must possess above 80% (out of 100%) cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) during their entire high school period
   • C.G.P.A. should be 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or higher [see Appendix 3]
   • If applicant’s high school evaluation criteria differs from the stated above, see 7-(2)-?
6. Must not at any time have ever received a Korean government scholarship for an undergraduate study
7. Must not have enrolled in an undergraduate course in Korea before
   • NOT Eligible: those who have ever enrolled at a Korean university as an exchange student
8. Must have no limitations in travelling abroad
9. They may be preferential selection for applicants who have proficiency in Korean or English

6. Scholarship Benefits

1. Scholarship Period: March 1, 2012 ~ February 28, 2017
2. Scholarship Benefits
   • Airplane ticket or airfare: The grantees will receive an airplane ticket or be paid an economy class airfare of the shortest route between their country and Korea when they come to Korea, and, thereafter, when they leave Korea after completion of their study.
   • Monthly Stipend: 800,000 won per month
   • Tuitions: The full tuition is exempted by the Korean Government and the entrance fee for the first semester by the host university.
   • Settlement Allowance: 200,000 won upon arrival
   • Repatriation Allowance: 100,000 won upon completion of studies
   • Korean Language Training Expenses: The full costs up to 1 year (NIIED pays directly to the language training institution)
   • Medical Insurance: The grantees will be provided with health insurance for major accidents and illnesses during their scholarship period.
3. NOTES
   • NIIED does not compensate fees for the domestic travel both in the grantee’s country and Korea.
   • Airfare for entry into Korea will not be provided to a grantee that has been staying in Korea as of the date of announcement of successful candidates
   • NIIED does not compensate fees for insurance for traveling to and from Korea.
   • The medical fee is to be reimbursed through the insurance company to the grantee after s/he pays first. However, the expense for dental clinic or chronic disease will not be covered.
   • Any grantee who gives up his/her study during the scholarship period will not receive airfare and allowance for repatriation.
   • Any grantee that quits the program within 3 months after s/he entering Korea, should refund all scholarship fees (The airfare of arriving Korea, settlement allowance, monthly stipend, Korean language training expenses, etc.).

7. Required Documents

1. Required Documents: 1 set of the original documents below, and 3 sets of the photocopied ones (EXCEPT ?: recommendation letters should be submitted as sealed by the recommenders)
   • One Completed Application Form ( Form 1)
   • One NIIED Pledge (Form 2)
   • One Personal Statement ( Form 3)
   • One Study Plan (Form 4)
   • Two Recommendation Letters (from two different recommenders stated below, Form 5)
     • Applicant’s high school teacher or principal, or academic advisor, etc.
   • One Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6)
   • One Graduation Certificate of High School
     • Expectant graduate: One original Provisional Graduation Certificate of High School
   • One High School Grade Transcripts (including a description of the school grading system)
   • Certificates of Citizenship of the Applicant and his/her Parents (A Birth Certificate, a Certificate indicating Parent-child Relationship, Parents’ Passport, etc.)
   • One Certificate of Korean or English Proficiency (if applicable)
   • One Certificate of Health authorized by a medical doctor (Form 7, only for candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection)
   • One Copy of the Applicant’s Passport (only for candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection)
2. NOTES
   • 1 set of the original documents and 3 sets of the photocopied ones should be placed in a separate envelope.
   • Original documents should be submitted. However, should they be available, copies must be authenticated by the issuing institution that they are the same with the originals.
   • English Name Spelling in the application form MUST be exactly the same as in the passport.
   • If there is any inconsistency in the applicant’s name or birth date on submitted documents, further evidential document to verify it should be attached.
   • Those applicants who submits a Provisional Graduation Certificate of High School as an expectant graduate during the application period should submit his or her Graduation Certificate of High School upon arrival in Korea
   • When submitting the documents, the documents should be arranged by the checklist order in the FORM 1. Each document can be stapled, but do not staple all the documents together, or do not put them into a transparent file one by one.
   • Application form and other materials should be filled out either in Korean or in English. The documents such as certificates or credentials issued in languages other than Korean or English must include official notarized translation, which is to be put before the original.
   • All of the materials should be A4 sized ones; if smaller, attach the material to an additional A4 sized paper; if bigger, fold it up to be an A4 sized one.
   • A high school grade transcript should contain a description of the school grading system. And if the applicant class rank or percentile is not stated in the transcript, you should submit an additional official certificate issued by your high school to prove that your academic achievement satisfies 5-(5) above.
   • Other documents except the ones written on a form prescribed by NIIED should contain their numbers and names on the top right. (ex).? Graduation Certificate of High School
   • Mailing address should be stated in full including postal-code.
   • Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant. So please make and keep photocopies of all application packages.
   • Incomplete or incorrect documents may lead to application rejection or failure in the selection procedures.

8. Application Deadline: Set forth by the Korean Embassy or Consulate

• As for detailed information on application deadline and submission of required documents, applicants should contact the APPROPRIATE KOREAN EMABASSY or CONSULATE in the country of applicant’s origin (or in the neighboring country), the 1st selection organization.
• Applications SHOULD be made through the 1st selection organization. Applications DIRECTLY FROM AN APPLICANT or THROUGH FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN KOREA are NOT accepted.

9. Selection Procedures

1. ~ September 1[1st SELECTION] Korean embassy or consulate (hereafter KE) announces its plan of selection of candidates
   • Applicants check the KE plan [*Application deadline is to be decided by KE]
2. September ~ OctoberKE selects qualified candidates
   • Applicants submit the required documents and have an interview according to the KE plan
3. ~ November 11 KE recommends the qualified candidates to NIIED
4. November 25[2ND SELECTION] It is done by NIIED Selection Committee. NIIED announces the result of the 2nd selection
   • Candidates who successfully pass through the 2nd selection submit a copy of their visa and a health certificate(FORM 7) to KE (KE forwards them to NIIED)
5. December ~ January 13, 2012[3RD SELECTION] Application for admission to a university
   • NIIED sends candidates’ documents to the relevant universities: December 2, 2011
   • Each university takes the following procedures and announces its successful applicants: ~ January 6, 2012
     • Candidates confirm their acceptance of the university that they receive admission to: January 10, 2012
   • Each university notifies the NIIED of candidates’ choice: January 13, 2012
6. January 17 NIIED announces the final successful candidates
7. February 10KE notifies NIIED of the grantee’ entry itinerary
   • Grantees check their entry itinerary and make preparations to enter Korea
8. February 20 ~ 29 -> Grantees enter Korea

NOTES (regarding application for admission to a university)

• Applicants should follow the guidelines for application for admission to a university set by NIIED.
• Applicants should choose up to 3 preferred universities in filling out FORM 1, FORM 4 and FORM 5; make sure to pick ONLY ONE department (or major) for a preferred university.
• Before choosing the preferred universities and departments (or majors), it is advised that you contact the universities the programs of which you are interested in to gather the detailed information on them.[see Appendix 1-2]
• After the announcement of the result of the 2nd selection, NIIED will forward the candidates’ documents to the PREFERRED UNIVERSITIES as written in the application forms when they apply for this scholarship program. So make sure that your choice of the preferred universities and departments (or majors) is right and correct when filling out the application forms.
• Regarding the required documents for application for admission, some other materials may be required, according to the policy of the specific colleges or departments in relation to fine arts, music or physical education. In such case, applicants should submit the required documents upon the relevant university’s request.
• If candidates do not receive admission from any of their three university choices they will be disqualified from receiving a KGSP scholarship.
• Transferring to a different university is NOT allowed after confirming his/her final choice of a university.
• Regardless of university admission, the grantee should reach level 3 in TOPIK upon completion of the preliminary Korean language course, before starting to study a bachelor’s degree course. Otherwise, s/he cannot start his/her degree course; s/he may take an additional 6 month Korean language course within the scholarship period stipulated in a letter of invitation.

10. Other Important things

1. Entry
   1. Grantees must arrive in Korea by February 29, 2012. In case a grantee does not enter Korea by the designated date without any special reason, his/her scholarship will be canceled.
   2. Prior to arrival, grantees should acquire some knowledge about Korea and Korean culture, etc. In particular, it is advisable that grantees learn as much Korean as possible as most classes at a Korean university are conducted in Korean. (Please visit the KOSNET site below for on-line programs to learn Korean)
      • Korean Language Study http://www.kosnet.go.kr
      • Korean Universities http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr
      • Korean Culture http://korea.net/
      • The Korean Embassy abroad http://www.mofat.go.kr
      • Entry & Residence http://immigration.go.kr.
2. Housing
   • Grantees will reside in a university dormitory.
   • The dormitory fee will be deducted out of the monthly stipend by the university.
3. Cancellation and Temporary suspension of Scholarship
   1. Cancellation of Scholarship: If a grantee is found engaged in any of the following activities during his/her stay in Korea, his/her scholarship will be suspended and then will be disqualified from a grantee position.
      • When any documents of the scholarship application has been found false
      • When the grantee is punished by the university s/he belongs to
      • When the grantee has violated the written pledge which s/he has given to NIIED
      • When the grantee has violated the guidelines and regulations set by NIIED
      • When the grantee does not get admission to a university after the preliminary one year Korean language course
      • When the grantee does not reach level 1 in TOPIK after the completion of the preliminary one year Korean language course
      • When the grantee does not reach level 3 in TOPIK after the completion of the additional 6 month Korean language course
      • When the grantee has not earned at least 2/3 of the registered credit courses of the semester
      • When the grantee goes to his/her country of origin or to another country for the purpose of joining an exchange program operated by the university s/he belongs to
      • When the grantee has not notified NIIED of re-enrollment without any proper reasons after the period of ‘leave of absence from school’ has ended
      • When the grantee gets more than three warnings
      • When the grantee has given up his/her studies
   2. Temporary suspension of Scholarship
      • While taking a preliminary Korean language course, grantees may stay out of Korea for up to 2 weeks during semester; for up to 4 weeks within the period of vacation during vacation with permission from the Korean language institute they belong to. However, the scholarship for the period of absence will not be paid
      • While taking a bachelor’s degree course, grantees may stay out of Korea for up to 60 days at one departure, with permission from the university they belong to. However, the scholarship for the period of absence exceeding 30 days per semester (including vacation) will not be paid

11. Contact

1. For application & submission of required documents: The APPROPRIATE Korean Embassy or Consulate in the country of applicant’s origin (or in the neighboring country) [see Appendix 1]
2. For university admission: 41 Korean universities [see Appendix 2]
3. For others except the above:
   • NIIED Website: http://www.niied.go.kr [English version: Korean Government Scholarship Students – Q&A, NOTICE]
   • Tel. (82-2) 3668-1357, Fax. (82-2)743-4992

* 2012 KGSP-U Application Guidelines (Final).doc (786 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U_FAQ.doc (147 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U AVAILABLE UNIVERSITIES(fields of study).xls (653 KByte),
* 2012 KGSP-U APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION (책자).pdf (32,311 KByte),

VLIR-UOS Biology Scholarships for Developing Countries

Overview

VLIR-UOS Biology – Specialisation Human Ecology Scholarships for Developing Countries 2012-2013. This two-year programme in ‘Master of Biology – specialisation Human Ecology’ addresses students with a background in Sciences. ‘Human Ecology’ is a research master organised by the Faculty of Sciences and Bio-engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Free University of Brussels). It provides students with strong fundamental and applied knowledge by bringing together expertise at the scientific, technological and policy level for taking an integrated look at human-environment interactions. Understanding of earth’s ecosystems and their services, of specific governances and policy contexts provide graduates with tools to contribute and to play a key role in dealing with human ecological challenges in their home countries.

Human ecology deals with the environment in which humans and human society develop. In this development humans change their environment thereby not only impacting the ecosystems but also themselves. Since the nineteenth century and increasingly since the last decades our environment has come to comprise the entire planet. Concern for the human environment has therefore become a global and development issue, which is well reflected in the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to ensure environmental sustainability. Challenges are formidable and reflected in the view that a geological era, the Anthropocene, should be delimited. Greater research efforts are needed for obtaining a ‘safe operating space’ for human populations.

While the issues at stake are universal to humanity at a global level, a great majority of people face environmental deterioration and ecological vulnerability in their direct neighbourhood. Local people in developing countries depend highly on various ecosystem goods and services. The lacking (empowerment of) trans-national institutions, may lead to failures in dealing with global issues, because sovereignty is mainly exercised at nation-state level. This increases the need for a strong partnership on a common basis of knowledge, technology, objectives and policies. The global character of many environmental problems brings along a shared responsibility for capacity building. Sound, science-based policies must be developed.

This two-year international course programme of a truly international character gives a unique opportunity to bring together scientists, both students and lecturers, with the different backgrounds needed. Human Ecology trains students in biological and ecological expertises on particular ecosystems, on various (bio-)monitoring and survey methods within specific governance and policy contexts. The master programme with a total study load of 120 ECTS, equally spread over 2 years consists of 5 course types: compulsory courses, introductory electives, specialised electives, a master thesis and research management skills

1. Compulsory courses are on the major ecosystems, interactions with human activities (Biocomplexity, Forestry and Agroforestry, River and Lake Ecology) and vice versa impacts on humans (Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis, Parasitology, Toxicology)

2. Introductory electives are refreshers on Mathematics, Statistics and Analysis of Biological Data (this depending on student background) and on topics in Governance and Policy. A Guided Self-Study deals with interdisciplinary environmental problems e.g. Biological Invasions. Introductions to Environmental Chemistry and to GIS allow broadening the scope.

3. Specialised electives are on Sustainable Biodiversity and Biological resources (e.g. Conservation Genetics, Restoration and Management), on Human Health and Risk (e.g. Genotoxicology and Public Health), on Monitoring Methods (e.g. Earth Observation and Remote Sensing) and on Environmental Policy (e.g. Law, Social and Economical Aspects of Nature Management, Biotechnology, Water Engineering, Globalisation, Risk Assessment)

4. A master thesis consists of an individual research project related to ongoing research of promoters and their research groups.
5. Research management skills concern Governance and Policy in Development and Cooperation, Bio-ethics, Scientific Presentation, Manuscript and Project Writing

Admission requirements

Human Ecology (specialisation of an International Master of Biology) is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography, geography and geomatics, bio-engineer science or environmental sciences.

For other bachelors in science, applied science and life sciences, equivalency will be evaluated based on scientific competences and skills of the students by the Steering Committee.

Adequate knowledge of biology (ecology, biodiversity, physiology, genetics and molecular biology), mathematics and chemistry at university bachelor level is an absolute requirement. Previous knowledge of statistics, geo- or soil science, law and environmental management is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

You can apply for a scholarship if you meet the following requisites:

• You are a resident AND national of one of the countries on the country list (not necessarily the same country for residence and nationality). Please note that candidates must reside in one of these countries at the moment of application.
• You are not older than 40 years* if you apply for a scholarship to follow a master programme. Or you are not older than 45 years* if you apply for a scholarship to follow a training programme. (* on 1 January 2012)
• You have the required English proficiency.
• Professional experience and employment perspectives are only required for a training programme, but can be an advantage to be selected for master programmes.
• Earlier applications and scholarships: You do not apply for more than one VLIR-UOS scholarship a year. You have never received a master scholarship funded by the Belgian government before. You are only admissible for a training programme scholarship if you have not received a VLIR-UOS scholarship for a training programme before.

For selection we take into account the following criteria:

• Motivation: it is essential that the candidate’s motivation demonstrates the possibility of transferring knowledge or creating extension activities, and having a specific developmental dimension.
• Professional experience, preferably in a research institution, a higher education institution, the government sector (national/regional/local), the sector of social economy, or an NGO. Preferably expertise in development relevant matters.
• Present employment/reintegration perspectives, preferably in a research institution, a higher education institution, the government sector (national/regional/local), the sector of social economy, or an NGO. Preferably with the possibility to generate an impact through the transfer of knowledge, extension activities or otherwise. Not in the commercial profit sector.
• Previous scholarships: prioririty will be given to the application of a candidate for a master programme who did not already has been granted a previous master scholarship. For a candidate for a training programme, the selection committee assesses the opportunity of a VLIR-UOS scholarship award, taking into consideration the candidates’ previous study and scholarship curriculum.
• Gender: in case of two equally qualified candidates of different sexes, preference will be given to the female candidate. The selection commission will aim at a parity or relative balance between the number of men and the number of women awarded a VLIR-UOS scholarship.
• Regional balance: the selection commission will try to ensure that 50% of a programme’s scholarships are granted to candidates from sub-Saharan Africa.
• Social background: in case of two equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to candidates from a disadvantaged area within their country or an ethnic or social minority group, especially when these candidates can provide proof of leadership potential.

Nationality and place of residence
Only persons who are resident AND national of one of the following countries (not necessarily the same country for residence and nationality) are eligible for a VLIR-UOS scholarship. Please note that candidates must reside in one of these countries at the moment of application.

• Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Nepal, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
• Latin America: Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay

English proficiency You need a proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent. If not, a TOEFL test is required with a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test (PBT), or 79 on an internet based test (IBT); or an IELTS test with a minimum overall band score of 6,5; or a proof of another test of similar level as TOEFLE or IELTS.

Professional experience and employment perspectives Present employment or reintegration perspectives are required for a training programme. The candidate must be currently employed or have a written (future) employer’s guarantee of (re)integration in an employment where the acquired knowledge and skills will be immediately applicable.

Scholarship

- Allowance 800€
- Family supplement 62€
- Accomodation premium 200€
- 1 return ticket, economy class

How to apply

You will need to follow the correct and complete procedure below:
1. Apply on the website via the application form of the Flemish host university: fill in name, birth date, country, etc…
2. Receive a return e-mail from the Flemish host university.
3. Send a printout of your application file along with all required documents (diploma transcripts, motivation, etc…) to the International Office of the host university (not to VLIR-UOS!).

Then you have correctly applied and can your application be considered. Scholarship application deadlines are: 1 February 2012

Period: September 2011 – September 2013
Language: English
Number of VLIR-UOS Scholarships: 10
Promoter: Prof. L. Triest

Contact:
Mrs P. Vanden Borre
T +32 2 477 49 25
humanecology.applications@vub.ac.be

http://www.vub.ac.be/DBIO

AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship

Overview

The Associated Press and Google announce a new national scholarship program intended to foster digital and new media skills in student journalists. The Online News Association, the world’s largest membership organization of digital journalists, will administer the program.

The AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship program will provide $20,000 scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year to six promising undergraduate or graduate students pursuing or planning to pursue degrees at the intersection of journalism, computer science and new media. The program is targeted to individual students creating innovative projects that further the ideals of digital journalism. A key goal is to promote geographic, gender and ethnic diversity, with an emphasis on rural and urban areas.

The scholarships are open to college sophomores or higher with at least one year of full-time undergraduate or graduate study remaining. Applicants must submit a project or concept that explains how his or her strategy moves digital journalism forward. Scholarship winners also will receive a one-year ONA membership and recognition at ONA’s 2012 conference in San Francisco. Read about the eligibility criteria and apply here.

Scholarship eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of the application:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Be currently enrolled full time at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. (College graduates returning to school are eligible to apply and must provide an acceptance letter from graduate institution.)
• Have at least one year of full-time undergraduate or graduate study remaining
• Have minimum grade point average of 3.0
• Be at least a college sophomore at time of application
• Be available for in-person or remote interviews with selection committee if selected as a finalist

How to apply

DEADLINE:
Jan. 27, 2012 (11:59 p.m. ET)

This application has three parts. Please read carefully before you complete the application:

• Applications and all submitted materials must be in English.
• The application requires that you provide active links to materials you have uploaded elsewhere. For example, public links using Google Docs,Dropbox, WordPress, or even your own website would work.
• Please have all of the uploaded information in section 3 prepared in advance: letter of recommendation, transcript, and statement of unmet financial need (if applicable).
• Review the Printable Application Link before you begin. Please note the printable application link is only a review copy. All applications must be submitted online. No exceptions.

SECTION 1 – CONTACT INFORMATION

Provide name, date of birth, address, email, phone number, college/university information, and other relevant data.

SECTION 2 – MULTIMEDIA

I. PERSONAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION or COVER LETTER
Tell us about yourself in a personal statement or a multimedia presentation. Be creative. We’re looking for the unique ways you can tell your own story and why you should be selected for this scholarship.

Word length: 200 words or fewer; or multimedia presentation no longer than one minute.

II. RESUME
Provide a web link to a standard resume no longer than one page.

III. PHOTO
Provide a web link to a recent headshot.

IV. SOCIAL NETWORKS & PORTFOLIO OF WORK
List all current social network profiles and three samples of multimedia work demonstrating activity in journalism and/or computer science.

V. PROJECT/CONCEPT
Have you created original journalistic content with computer science elements? Do you have an idea to develop new ways of telling a story with technology? The scholarship committee is looking for projects or concepts that show innovation and creativity. Applicant should explain how your strategy moves digital journalism forward or provides valuable lessons or outcomes.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Data visualization
• Data mining
• Mobile devices and applications
• 3-D storytelling
• Digital ethics
• Crowdsourcing
• HTML5
• Micro computers

Length: 500 words or fewer; or multimedia presentation no longer than three minutes.

SECTION 3 – UPLOAD MATERIALS

I. TESTIMONIAL/LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Include one letter of recommendation from instructor or employer affirming student as a standout digital journalist of the future deserving of this scholarship.

The letter must confirm the applicant’s description of his/her role in the project, if possible.

Length: One typed page
File size limit for upload: 500 KB

II. TRANSCRIPTS
Provide scanned copies of your most recent official transcript.

File size limit for upload: 500 KB

III. STATEMENT OF UNMET FINANCIAL NEED (Optional)
A selected number of scholarships will be based on financial need. Applicants who wish to be considered for financial need must complete the Statement of Unmet Financial Need Form and upload to his or her application.

File size limit for upload: 500 KB

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Now that you’ve reviewed everything, you’re ready to apply. To start the online application, click below.

The AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship Online Application

For more information, contact:
Irving Washington
Scholarship Manager
iwashington@journalists.org
(317) 441-5051

Deadline: Jan. 27, 2012
(11:59 p.m. ET)

http://ap-google.onlinenewsassociation.org/