School News: December 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

University of Oxford UK Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme for Developing Countries 2014/2015

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme is a joint initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the University of Oxford to support students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

Scholarship Offered Since: 1986

Scholarship Type: Masters Scholarships for developing countries

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates must:

    Hold a first degree at either first class or upper second class level;
    Be applying to start a new Master’s course at Oxford in one of the specified programmes of study listed below;
    Be nationals of a Commonwealth developing country, and not at present living or studying in a developed country;
    Have not undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country;
    Be able to confirm in writing that neither they nor their families are able to pay for them to study in the UK (you will be asked to confirm this if you are nominated for the scholarship by Oxford – you do not need to provide confirmation in advance);
    Be willing to return to their home country as soon as their award comes to an end (the Commission will only consider requests to extend leave to remain in the UK post-award for those wishing to progress from Master’s to PhD study and strict conditions will apply).

Number of Scholarships: To be confirmed

What are the benefits?

100% of university and college fees and a grant for living costs (rate to be confirmed).

Awards are made for the full duration of a student’s fee liability for the agreed course. If your scholarship is offered for a course lasting more than one year, the continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based on satisfactory academic progress.

Duration of Scholarship

If your scholarship is offered for a course lasting more than one year, the continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based on satisfactory academic progress.

Eligible Countries

Awards are open to students from:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn, Rwanda, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

To be taken at (country): University of Oxford UK

Application Deadline: 10 January 2014 for Medical Sciences, Philosophy, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science; 24 January 2014 for all other subjects.

Offered annually? Yes

How to Apply

Apply at the same time as you apply to Oxford by selecting Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme in the Funding section of the University’s graduate application form.

In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application for graduate study by the relevant January deadline for your course

Visit Scholarship webpage

Sponsors

UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the University of Oxford

Important Notes:

A notice will be posted on the scholarship webpage once successful candidates have been notified.

For more information and updates visit www.campusflava.com

Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarships for Women in Africa, Europe and the Middle East 2014/2015

Scholarship Name: The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Brief description

Google offers The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for women in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to study in the field ofcomputing and technology for Bachelors, Masters or PhD degrees 2014/2015

Accepted Subject Areas?

Courses relating to Computing and Technology

About ScholarshipAnita Borg Scholarship

Dr. Anita Borg devoted her adult life to revolutionising the way we think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Her combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.

As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to furthering Anita’s vision, the internet company is pleased to announce The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Through the scholarship, Google aim to encourage women to excel in computing and technology, and become active role models and leaders.

Scholarship Offered Since: Not specified

Scholarship Type: Computer and technology scholarship for women

By what Criteria is Selection Made?

Multiple scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic performance, leadership experience and demonstrated passion for computer science.

Who is qualified to apply?

Candidates must:

    Be a female student enrolled in a Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2014/2015.
    Be enrolled at a University in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
    Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.
    Maintain an excellent academic record (e.g. a First Class Honours degree).

How Many Funding Positions are available?

A group of female Bachelors, Masters, and PhD student finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool.

What are the benefits?

The scholarship recipients will each receive a €7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship.

Eligible Countries

Women from Europe, the Middle East and Africa

To be taken at Institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Application Deadline: 1 February 2014

Offered annually? Yes

How can I Apply?

Please complete the online application and submit all requested documents by 1st February 2013. All application documents must be in English. Scholars and Finalists will be notified in April 2013.

You will be required to submit the following:

    Recommendation letters
        Two strong referral letters from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic and leadership accomplishments, e.g. from a professor, adviser or supervisor.

If you need more Information about this scholarship, kindly visit the Scholarship Webpage

Sponsors: Google

For more information and updates visit www.campusflava.com

Scholarship Name: The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Brief description
Google offers The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for women in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to study in the field ofcomputing and technology for Bachelors, Masters or PhD degrees 2014/2015
Accepted Subject Areas?
Courses relating to Computing and Technology
About Scholarship
Dr. Anita Borg devoted her adult life to revolutionising the way we think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Her combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.
As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to furthering Anita’s vision, the internet company is pleased to announce The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Through the scholarship, Google aim to encourage women to excel in computing and technology, and become active role models and leaders.
Scholarship Offered Since: Not specified
Scholarship Type: Computer and technology scholarship for women
By what Criteria is Selection Made?
Multiple scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic performance, leadership experience and demonstrated passion for computer science.
Who is qualified to apply?
Candidates must:

Be a female student enrolled in a Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2014/2015.
Be enrolled at a University in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.
Maintain an excellent academic record (e.g. a First Class Honours degree).

How Many Funding Positions are available?
A group of female Bachelors, Masters, and PhD student finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool.
What are the benefits?
The scholarship recipients will each receive a €7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship.
Eligible Countries
Women from Europe, the Middle East and Africa
To be taken at Institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Application Deadline: 1 February 2014
Offered annually? Yes
How can I Apply?
Please complete the online application and submit all requested documents by 1st February 2013. All application documents must be in English. Scholars and Finalists will be notified in April 2013.
You will be required to submit the following:

Recommendation letters
- Two strong referral letters from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic and leadership accomplishments, e.g. from a professor, adviser or supervisor.

- See more at: http://www.afterschoolafrica.com/268/google-anita-borg-memorial-scholarship/#sthash.apRVuquy.dpuf

Be a female student enrolled in a Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2014/2015.
Be enrolled at a University in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.
Maintain an excellent academic record (e.g. a First Class Honours degree).

Recommendation letters
- Two strong referral letters from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic and leadership accomplishments, e.g. from a professor, adviser or supervisor.

- See more at: http://www.afterschoolafrica.com/268/google-anita-borg-memorial-scholarship/#sthash.apRVuquy.dpuf

Be a female student enrolled in a Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2014/2015.
Be enrolled at a University in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
Be studying Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a closely related technical field.
Maintain an excellent academic record (e.g. a First Class Honours degree).

Recommendation letters
- Two strong referral letters from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic and leadership accomplishments, e.g. from a professor, adviser or supervisor.

- See more at: http://www.afterschoolafrica.com/268/google-anita-borg-memorial-scholarship/#sthash.apRVuquy.dpuf

Friday, December 6, 2013

The passing of a global icon..NELSON MANDELA

Former South African President Nelson Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection. He was 95.

Mandela, the country's first black president and anti-apartheid icon, emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons to help guide South Africa out of bloodshed and turmoil to democracy.

"Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity, earned him their love," he added.

"Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation, has departed," President Jacob Zuma said in a nationally televised address.

Mandela would receive a full state funeral, Zuma said, ordering flags to be flown at half mast.

Al Jazeera's Tania Page, reporting from outside Mandela's home in Johannesburg, said that there was a real sense of celebration in tribute to Mandela's life there, while world leaders were also delivering theirtributes .

Speaking to Al Jazeera from outside the former leader's Mandela's house, where people of various races were singing songs dedicated to the former leader, local journalist Kenichi Serino said that there were around a thousand people gathered there.

"There is a total mix of people. There are Indian people, black people, guys with dreadlocks... anyone with a car is here. It's a cross-section of groups. There are lots of South African flags."

He said that the atmosphere was a mixture of a sombre and festive mood.

"People are also taking pictures of themselves here, so as to capture the moment of them being here as well."

Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa, reporting from Soweto, where Mandela once lived, said radio stations were telling people that "once you wake up go to Vilakazi street", famous for its place in the struggle against apartheid.

"The mood is basically one of celebrations ... I think people know that he achieved a lot for his country. Yes, he was not perfect. He was, afterall, human but he was the man of the people," she said.

Speaking to Al Jazeera on Thursday night, local resident Mbuso Mwandla, said that about a hundred leading African National Congress party comrades in Vilakazi street were chanting and marching in the streets. He said that the rest of Soweto remained quiet with people still waking up to the news.

Respected figure

Mandela rose from rural obscurity to challenge the might of white minority apartheid government - a struggle that gave the twentieth century one of its most respected and loved figures.

He was among the first to advocate armed resistance to apartheid in 1960, but was quick to preach reconciliation and forgiveness when the country's white minority began easing its grip on power 30 years later.

Mandela was elected president in landmark all-race elections in 1994 and retired in 1999.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, an honour he shared with FW de Klerk, the white Afrikaner leader who released from jail arguably the world's most famous political prisoner.

"A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time," de Klerk told CNN. "He was a great unifier and a very, very special man in this regard beyond everything else he did. This emphasis on reconciliation was his biggest legacy."

As president, Mandela faced the monumental task of forging a new nation from the deep racial injustices left over from the apartheid era, making reconciliation the theme of his time in office.

Hallmark of mission

The hallmark of Mandela's mission was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which probed apartheid crimes on both sides of the struggle and tried to heal the country's wounds.

It also provided a model for other countries torn by civil strife.

In 1999, Mandela handed over power to younger leaders better equipped to manage a modern economy - a rare voluntary departure from power cited as an example to African leaders.

In retirement, he shifted his energies to battling South Africa's AIDS crisis and the struggle became personal when he lost his only surviving son to the disease in 2005.

Mandela's last major appearance on the global stage came in 2010 when he attended the championship match of the soccer World Cup, where he received a thunderous ovation from the 90,000 at the stadium in Soweto, the neighbourhood in which he cut his teeth as a resistance leader.

Charged with capital offences in the infamous 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony.

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination."

Mandela's passing comes ahead of the country's fifth election, and at a time when the country is battling challenges, both political and economic.

Ayesha Kajee, political analyst, told Al Jazeera that as South Africa and the world grieves "we need to recognise that, in order to truly honour [Mandela's] legacy, and that of the countless unnamed heroes who sacrificed so much for our freedoms, we must take great care to not trample on the rights of our fellows, nor to squander our own rights in pursuit of the ephemeral."

Mandela is survived by three daughters, 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. He had four step-children through his marriage to Machel.

His death has left his family divided over his wealth. Some of his children and grandchildren are locked in a legal feud with his close friends.

For more information and updates visit www.campusflava.com