Inter-University Council for East Africa: Call for Masters Fellowship Applications, May 2018
Inter-University Council for East Africa
P O Box 7110,
Kampala,
Uganda
Tel: +256 773 181662
E-Mail: exsec@iucea.org
Website: www.iucea.org
CALL FOR MASTERS FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS
Supporting Young Talented Female Scientists to Become Future Leaders
CLOSING DATE: June 4, 2018
The World Bank is partnering with eight Governments in Eastern and Southern Africa in an innovative
project with the aim of improving the quality of training and research in higher education, and reducing
the skill gaps in key development priority areas. The Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education
Centers of Excellence (ACE II) Project supports the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi,
Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia in strengthening selected African Centers of
Excellence (ACEs) to deliver quality post-graduate education and build collaborative research capacity
in the following priority areas:
(i) Industry, (ii) Agriculture, (iii) Health, (iv) Education, and (v) Applied
Statistics. The ACE II Project implements three components, namely (i) strengthening the 24 higher
education institutions into regional ACEs in Eastern and Southern Africa in a set of defined regional
priority areas (US$ 140 million); (ii) providing capacity building support to these ACEs through regional
activities (US$3 million); and (iii) supporting coordination and management of the implementation of
components (i) and (ii) (US$5 million).
As Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) for the ACE II Project, the Inter-University Council for East Africa
(IUCEA) leads the implementation of key elements of Component 2 of the project, aimed at building
strong and sustainable regional partnerships and collaborations to produce competent Masters and PhD
holders for the regional market and improve quality of teaching in higher education and quality of
production and services in public and private sectors. To encourage the participation of young African
female students at postgraduate level, IUCEA wishes to implement a Fellowships Program aimed at
providing competitive Masters Scholarships to academically deserving future talents to promote regional
female student mobility. Eligible female applicants who can demonstrate interest and ability in the
priority areas are encouraged to apply for the 30 Fellowships available for the 2018/2019 academic year.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to be eligible for this Fellowship, the applicant must:
i) be a female national of one of ACE II participating countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi,
Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) or Burundi
ii) be under the age of thirty five (35) years
iii) be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree from a reputable university in the relevant field, at the level of
Upper Second Class Honours
iv) have been admitted in any of the 24 ACEs to study full-time in any of the priority disciplines of the
ACE II Project: (i) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) or Industry, (ii)
Agriculture, (iii) Health, (iv) Education, and
(v) Applied Statistics;
v) have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement as evidenced by academic transcripts, and
academic awards, if any.
ELIGIBLE SECTORS/DISCIPLINES
The Fellowship Program will provide support in the following broad areas of activities:
i) Industry. In general, Eastern and Southern African countries experience low and, in some cases,
declining levels of enrolment in areas associated with the growing industrial sectors which require
skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or Industry – STEM. Thus, there is
huge demand for graduates in emerging sectors with high growth potential such as oil and gas,
energy, extractives, and railways industries across the region. This Fellowship will contribute to
improved availability of skilled professionals with specialized knowledge who can innovate and
boost productivity in the STEM areas, such as engineers (civil, petroleum, and mechanical),
geoscientists, mechanical technicians, etc.
ii) Agriculture: Low levels of agricultural productivity has contributed to shortage of food and
overall food insecurity due to skills and labour constraints, as well as the slow adoption of
technology. Primarily this low productivity is caused by factors such as frequent droughts,
rampant diseases (crop and livestock), unimproved crop varieties, lack of access to quality
seeds/fertilizers, and poor management of water resources. To address these challenges, this
Fellowship will contribute to training of female graduates to become agribusiness
specialists/managers, crop scientists, plant breeders, veterinarians, agronomists, water and
irrigation engineers, and food preservation and processing specialists, who will contribute to
innovative research and teaching for agricultural advancement, improved nutrition, and
agricultural sustainability.
iii) Health: There is low life expectancy in Eastern and Southern African region. Both infectious and
non-infectious diseases account for highest proportion of illness in the region, and include malaria
and tuberculosis and other diseases that may have been eliminated elsewhere. Infectious diseases
are also a major constraint to both the export of African livestock and the spread of diseases from
animals to humans. This Fellowship will address development challenges in the areas of
infectious diseases, public health, and drug development through training and research in
molecular biology, analytical epidemiology, traditional medicine, and pharma-biotechnology.
iv) Education. Poor education quality, especially at the primary and secondary levels, is a significant
obstacle to higher education access and outcomes. Poor teaching competencies, particularly in
mathematics and science, are a barrier to the production of high-quality graduates and faculty in
the field. This Fellowship will contribute to improved quality of tertiary education, leading to
improved learning outcomes in the STEM disciplines.
v) Applied Statistics. The absence of reliable and accurate data, data management systems, and
skilled statisticians is a serious constraint to policymaking, adequate analysis of development
challenges, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of interventions. In sub-Saharan African
countries, across various sectors, there is a severe shortage of highly trained statisticians and of
good quality data. This makes it difficult to provide analyses, plan and monitor interventions,
inform fact-based policy, and track progress. This Fellowship will contribute to capacity of
research and training within higher education, with a focus on providing improved statistical
skills.
THE FELLOWSHIP AWARD
The provided financial support for each Fellowship Program will cover:
i) University tuition fees: Approximately USD 3,000 per year (payable directly to the Host
University according to an official invoice)
ii) Stipend: USD 800 per month to support living expenses such as housing, food, utilities, local
transportation, medication and settlement expenses
iii) Research: USD 4,800 to support student research, payable upon approval of research proposal
iv) Allowance: USD 2,000 one-off allowance to cover visa, laptop and books
v) Air ticket: A round-trip economy fare for the most direct route between the beneficiary’s home
country and the study destination of Host University
Note: Candidates must complete all academic work within the specified period of the programme
as the scholarship cannot be extended beyond a maximum of 24 months.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCEDURES
To apply for this Fellowship, interested candidates are advised to fill in the application form found at
www.iucea.org or ace2.iucea.org attach all requested documents, and send by e-mail to
exsec@iucea.org with a copy to ace2rfu@iucea.org. All applications must be received not later than
5.00 PM East African Time on June 4, 2018. For proof of eligibility, an applicant should ensure that
the following are provided:
i) Completed application form
ii) Recent passport-size photograph
iii) Summarized CV with names and contacts of two referees
iv) Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
v) Certified copies of passport or national identity card indicating citizenship
vi) Copy of admission letter from one of the host universities (please refer to the attached table on
Countries, ACEs and Universities)
Source: Ministry Of Education Official Website
