VLIR-UOS Nematology Scholarships for Developing Countries

Overview

VLIR-UOS Nematology Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries to Study at Universiteit Gent, Belgium. The programme curriculum is characterised by a multidisciplinary, interuniversity and international approach reflecting the high diversity, complexity and biological specialisation of nematodes.

The objective is to provide the participants with a thorough basis, practical skills and updated knowledge in all aspects of plant and insect parasitic nematodes, as well as free-living aquatic and soil nematodes (human and vertebrate parasites which belong to the disciplines of medical doctors and veterinarians are not dealt with). The Master course includes training and research. Emphasis is put on the acquisition of microscopy techniques and accurate identification skills aided by the availability of a virtually complete taxonomic library, crop protection, biocontrol, use of nematodes as bio-indicators for quality assessment of terrestrial soils and aquatic sediments, latest techniques for control of nematode pests, such as genetic manipulation. The study programme lasts two years: the first year consists of several courses and practical exercises, the second consists of a few additional courses, networking and seminars, and the dissertation. The programme offers compulsory courses, three elective modules (Nematology Applied to Agro-ecosystems, Nematology Applied to Natural Ecosystems, Nematode Systematics (Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Biodiversity) and additional elective courses.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in zoology, botany, biology, agriculture or a closely related field. Each application file will be screened by the Nematology Educational Committee.

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: 12
Promoter: Prof. M. Moens (UGent)

Contact:
Mrs N. Smol
Postgraduate International Nematology Course (PINC)
Ghent University
T + 32 (0)9 264 52 16
F + 32 (0)9 264 53 44
nic.smol@ugent.be
http://www.pinc.ugent.be; www.icp-itp.ugent.be/ICP/Nema.htm

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