VLIR-UOS Molecular Biology Scholarships for Developing Countries

Overview

VLIR-UOS Molecular Biology (IPMB)Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries to Study at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. This Master programme aims at strengthening and updating the theoretical and practical skills of young scientists from developing countries who are already involved in either human or animal health care, or agricultural research. After two years of study, participants should have acquired the ability to cope with a wide range of scientific problems and challenges and the intellectual tools needed to develop a molecular biological approach to tackle the problems their country is facing. The first year of this Master programme consists of the following units that must be followed by all participants: Molecular Biology; Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Genetic Engineering, General Chemistry and Protein Chemistry, General and Analytical Biochemistry; Microbial Genetics and Genetics of Higher Eukaryotes; Mathematics and Statistics; Bioinformatics; Immunology; Microbiology; Virology and Parasitology; Physiology (plant or animal physiology option); practical courses and visits. The academic year consists of two semesters and exams are organised at the end of each semester. Although there are some lectures in the second semester, students spend most of their time in research laboratories where they are acquainted with basic and advanced laboratory practice. Visits to various labs of Flemish universities and research institutes are also organised in the second semester. These visits are intended to inform the participants about the research that is being conducted in Flanders in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and to allow them to identify a topic for a dissertation in the second year of the programme.

In the second year the participants first follow common core courses (Advanced and Applied Molecular Biology; Advanced Microbial Genetics and Virology; Physical Chemistry and Structural Analysis of Macromolecules; Social and Economical Aspects of Biotechnology) and one of three specialisation core courses: (i) Plant Production (Phytopathology; Bio-Control of Plant Diseases and Biofertilisation; Plant Biodiversity); (ii) Animal Production (Prophylaxis of Infectious Diseases of Farm Animals; Applied Biotechnology in Livestock Production; Livestock Genetics); (iii)Human health (Human infectious diseases; Epidimiology: study design and analysis; Human Genetics and Diseases). Furthermore, students prepare a dissertation which is a very important part of the programme; half of the study credits of the second year are allocated to it. The master dissertation consists of an original research work that is to be submitted in writing and defended before a jury and an audience. Preferentially, participants should choose a topic that is relevant to the further development of their research activities in their home country.

Admission requirements

• Holders of a four-year university degree or a three-year university degree (provided the candidate has relevant research experience) are eligible;

• Priority is given to candidates of developing countries holding the degree of Medical Doctor, Veterinary Doctor or Agricultural Engineer;

• Candidates holding degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and other scientific disciplines related to life sciences are also eligible;

• A good knowledge of English is a prerequisite. Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL minimal score 213; computer test=550 paper) or IELTS, minimal score 6.5) has to be provided if previous studies were in a different language.

Eligibility Criteria

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: 13
Promoter: Prof. P. De Baetselier (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Prof. B. Goddeeris (K.U.Leuven)
Prof. J. Weyler (University of Antwerp)

Contact:
Mr R. Willems
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
T +32 (0)2 629 19 56
F +32 (0)2 629 18 60
ipmb@vub.ac.be
rwillems@vub.ac.be
http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infoabout/education/bama/of-ma-molecularbiology.html

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