Call For Applications: Full Masters And PhD Scholarships At The African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS)

The African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at the University of the Witwatersrand is seeking applications for MA and PhD scholarships offered by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) as part of its ‘In-Region Scholarship Programme South Africa’. Full scholarships are available for Four MA and Five PhD students accepted for the Migration and Displacement programme at ACMS in 2021

ABOUT

The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master or doctoral studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and / or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BENEFITS

By training future academic and professional leaders, the programme contributes to the following long-term impacts:
Qualified professionals’ involvement in the solution of development-related problems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Graduates strengthening education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa
Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities

To achieve these long term impacts, the following outcomes have been formulated as programme objectives:

Programme objective 1: Graduates have qualified to take over responsible
positions in their, or for their, region of origin
Programme objective 2: The participation of women and underprivileged groups is reinforced
Programme objective 3: Organizational, financial and personal capacities of partner institutions are strengthened

• As part of the In-Region Scholarship Programme DAAD offers scholarships for PhD and Master studies. The programme is funded by the German Federal
• Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and aims at university staff in the first line, without neglecting the public sector demand of academically trained personnel.
• The target group for scholarships are graduates and postgraduates from SubSaharan Africa with a first academic degree if applying for a Master’s programme,
• or with a Master’s degree if applying for a doctoral programme who want to pursue
• Master’s or PhD courses. In-Region Scholarships are aimed at students who want to participate in a study programe in a country of their home region (here: Sub-Saharan Africa/outside their home country).
• It has been agreed upon that DAAD cooperates with the University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS) by offering up to 4 In-Region scholarships for Masters studies and up to 5 In-Region scholarships for PhD studies for the intake 2021.

ELIGIBILTY

• Applicants have successfully completed generally a three-year university degree (Master candidates) or a two-year university degree (doctoral candidates) with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper division)
• clearly show motivation and strong commitment
• have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction
• have generally completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application DAAD

ST32 – In-Region Scholarship Programme – Call for Applications University of the Witwatersrand, African

• Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS)) – edition: 03/2020
• must be nationals or permanent resident of a Sub-Saharan African country (excluding South Africa)
• should generally be a) staff member of a public university, b) candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) from the public sector, d) Alumni of the DAFI programme
• Female applicants and candidates from less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.
• Scholarships are initially granted for one year and can be extended to a maximum of the regular period of study upon receipt of an application for extension. Scholars must demonstrate satisfactory progress before an extension is granted.
• Eligible fields The In-Region Scholarship Programme supports studies in subject areas with strong relevance to national development.

The scholarships at the University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS)) are available in the following fields:

• PhD in Migration and Displacement Studies
• Master in Migration and Displacement Studies

DEADLINE

The duration
of the PhD programme is generally three years
of the Master programme is generally one year
generally starting in February 2021
Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship is based on the time that is left until the scholarship holder has reached the regular period of studies in that programme; i.e., if you apply for a DAAD scholarship starting in your second year of studies of a three-year programme, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be two years.

HOW TO APPLY

The application process contains two steps. Please be aware of the two application deadlines.
First step:
Applicants must apply for their studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS) using the contacts and the
method that is prescribed by the institution the University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS) has set its own deadlines.
University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement
(ACMS) will screen, pre-select (according to DAAD selection criteria) and shortlist the applicants. A detailed report consisting of the shortlisting procedure, the
entire list of applicants, the ranked shortlist and the shortlisting panel members will also be availed to DAAD. The ranked shortlist will contain preferably triple (at  DAAD
ST32 – In-Region Scholarship Programme – Call for Applications University of the Witwatersrand, African
Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS)) – edition: 03/2020
least double) the number of scholarships that have been attributed to the institution.
DAAD reserves the right of final selection.
Second step:
the University of the Witwatersrand, African Centre for Migration and Displacement (ACMS) will provide the shortlisted candidates with the link to the DAAD-Portal. Only the pre-selected candidates are asked to log into the DAAD portal, register themselves and submit a DAAD application. DAAD Deadline:
June 2, 2020
Documents to be submitted in English:

• DAAD application form duly filled in (available in the DAAD-Portal)
• Hand signed curriculum vitae (please use the European specimen form at http://europass.cedefop. Europa.eu), including a list of publications (if applicable).
• Recommendation letter by university teachers (Master 1, PhD 2)
• Letter of admission for the host university
• Certified copies of university degree certificates including transcripts
• Letter of motivation (if applicable: mentioning the planned research stay in Germany, see “Additional benefits”)
• Copy of the passport
• if applicable, information on the UNHCR registration as refugee

PhD candidates have to submit the following additional documents:

• Declaration of acceptance from the academic supervisor
• Detailed and precise PhD proposal, including detailed work and time table (if applicable: mentioning the planned research stay in Germany, see “Additional benefits”)
• Abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of proposal

Additional
benefits/information
DAAD In-Region scholarship holders are also encouraged to apply for a research stay in Germany for 3 up to 6 months. Please note: The short-term research
stay in Germany should preferably be announced in the application for the regular scholarship and can only be awarded if the necessary financial means are available.
The short-term research scholarship includes:

• a monthly scholarship payment for living costs
• health/accident/personal liability insurance
• a flat-rate travel allowance

All further details regarding additional benefits and the additional application processes will be provided after admission to the scholarship programme.
Please note that all short-listed applicants will be asked to participate in a multiwave monitoring survey to gather data on different academic and career development aspects. Participation is voluntary.

For the pre-selection, ACMS will use the following eligibility criteria. Applicants:

• Must be nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan African country (excluding South Africa);
• Must have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• MA applicants must have an Honours degree or equivalent with a total aggregate mark of at least 65%;
• PhD applicants must have an MA degree with a total aggregate mark of at least 70%;
• Must have been accepted to study for MA/PhD in Migration and Displacement at ACMS (please see application information here).

Applications should include:

• A cover letter summarising qualifications, professional experience and reasons for interest in the Migration and Displacement programme;
• A complete CV;
• Copies of transcripts and degree certificates;
• SAQA evaluation (for foreign qualifications);
• A short research proposal (1500 words maximum) outlining the proposed research project;
• A writing sample of not more than 10,000 words (e.g., a chapter; article; term paper).

Email all queries and application materials to: naledi.mazibuko1@wits.ac.za

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE

Application Link

Staff Writer

This article was written and edited by a staff writer.