PASET RSIF 2017 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

1. PASET RSIF 2017 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 29 June 2017 WEBINAR

2. THE PASET REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AND INNOVATION FUND (RSIF) PASET RSIF Webinar

3. What is PASET? The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an Africa-led initiative that was launched in 2013 by the Governments of Senegal, Ethiopia and Rwanda with facilitation by the World Bank. Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya have also joined the initiative since. It aims to build the capacity of African education and training institutions to train high quality technicians, engineers and scientists to meet the demands of the economy and contribute towards Africa’s growth and development especially in priority sectors. PASET has several initiatives including the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), Regional Benchmarking Initiative and Regional TVET Centers of Excellence as well as partnerships with countries like Korea, China, Brazil, and India, and knowledge sharing activities like forums, workshops and learning events. Till date, close to 30 African countries and partner countries like Korea, China, India and Brazil have participated in PASET initiatives and activities. PASET RSIF Webinar

4. PASET Governance Structure Board of Directors Responsible for strategic direction, policy-making and oversight of PASET operations. Composition: Ministers of SSA countries that are PASET contributors; Reps. of other Contributors; EC Executive Director; Manager of institute hosting Secretariat. Chair is SSA Minister  Third Party Verification (Ombudsman) Provides independent grievance mechanism with investigative & mediation roles for transparency & accountability. Reports to Board Executive Committee of Board (EC) Responsible for execution of PASET initiatives, with full delegated authority from Board. Composition: 5 Members; EC Executive Director; Manager of institution hosting Secretariat Consultative Advisory Group Only advisory capacity; provides scientific/other guidance with knowledge and expertise to Board and EC. Constituted by Board and works with EC RSIF Implementation Unit Implements RSIF according to guidelines set by Board. Reports to EC and works with Secretariat. Secretariat Responsible for implementing technical assistance, knowledge sharing & convening of Board/EC meetings. Managed by host institution. Reports to EC. Solid arrow indicates direction of reporting. Dotted arrow indicates working together. PASET RSIF Webinar

5. What is RSIF? The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) is PASET’s flagship initiative that was launched in June 2015 to contribute towards PASET’s goals of building a critical mass of highly skilled scientists and innovators and facilitating the emergence of at least 5 African institutions with top quality ASET programs. Five countries have made financial commitments for the RSIF till date - Senegal, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire. It is a unique and far-reaching initiative that aims to accelerate the creation of a skilled and high quality labor force that will propel Africa’s socio-economic transformation. To achieve these goals, RSIF has designed a three-pronged approach based on global best practices that focuses on enhancing the research, teaching and innovation capacity of Africans and African universities in ASET fields. PASET RSIF Webinar

6. Objectives of RSIF The primary objectives of the RSIF are to: Contribute to building a critical mass of highly skilled scientists and innovators in ASET fields towards achieving a target of about 10,000 African PhD holders in 10 years. Build capacity in the region to sustainably support trained PhDs as they enter academia, industry or become entrepreneurs. Identify and nurture academically talented Africans who wish to further their education in applied sciences, engineering and technology. Foster African governments’ and private sector’s ownership of the fund and its cause. PASET RSIF Webinar

7. Three Windows of RSIF RSIF includes three grant windows: Window 1: PhD Training Window 1 targets new students as well as existing junior faculty in priority ASET fields for PhD training. Window 2: Research grants Window 2 provides research grants and facilitates recipients to undertake applied research to support priority development sectors within Africa. Window 3: Innovation grants Window 3 provides support to help recipients innovate for businesses or establish their own enterprises. PASET RSIF Webinar

8. RSIF Window 1: PhD Training As part of the program, recipients may also take advantage of the opportunity to participate in “sandwich” programs and work with global researchers at premier partner international universities that excel in applied sciences, engineering and technology. Scholars will become part of an exciting new community of highly skilled African scientists and innovators in ASET fields and join the next generation of African leaders in science and technology • Window 1 of the RSIF will offer scholarship grants to citizens of sub-Saharan African countries holding Master’s degrees the opportunity to complete a PhD program at selected competitive host universities around Africa. Photo credit: SACIDS PASET RSIF Webinar

9. RSIF Window 1: Objectives The primary objectives of the RSIF Window 1 are: To support the PhD training of academic faculty at African universities that lack advanced training in their field of study. To contribute towards PASET’s goal of creating 10,000 PhDs in priority ASET sectors in 10 years. To build the capacity of leading African institutions through partnerships and collaborations with top international universities and R&D companies recognized for their programs in ASET fields. PASET RSIF Webinar

10. Key RSIF Institutions PASET Governing Units PASET provides the leadership for the RSIF. The PASET Board sets the guidelines for the RSIF, the Executive Committee oversees the implementation of the RSIF, and the Secretariat coordinates and works closely with the RSIF Implementation Unit to determine the processes required for implementing the RSIF. Host Universities The RSIF host universities are competitively selected, premier African universities that offer PhD programs in the thematic areas. They participate in selecting RSIF scholars, ensuring proper support (academic and non-academic) to students, and monitoring and reporting on students’’ progress to the RIU. RSIF Implementation Unit (RIU) The RIU, hosted at the Association of African Universities (AAU) implements and manages the RSIF program according to the guidelines set by the PASET Board. It carries out the daily functioning of the RSIF and is the primary liaison for key stakeholders. The AAU Secretary General serves as the RIU Executive Director. The RIU also comprises a Project Administrator, Web Specialist, Finance Manager, Systems Administrator, M&E Specialist, and Project Assistant. Partner Universities The RSIF partner international universities are world-class institutions that excel ASET fields and will collaborate with the African host universities to offer exchange visits of students and faculty through sandwich programs. The partner universities are Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea and Maastricht University, Netherlands. PASET RSIF Webinar

11. Student Beneficiaries Window 1 of the RSIF targets individuals who hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study and are seeking advanced full-time PhD training in one of the thematic areas. Priority will be given to existing junior African faculty with 1-5 years of teaching/research experience and female applicants Approximately 50 students will be selected for the first cohort in 2017/2018. Specific eligibility criteria are listed out later in the presentation. Photo credit: SACIDS PASET RSIF Webinar

12. Benefits for students Competitive ASET programs: Opportunity to study at some of Africa’s most competitive programs in Applied Sciences Engineering and Technology Scholarship grant: Scholarship package for up to 4 years of support which includes: Annual support package per student: $24,400   Of the annual support package, competitive student stipend (paid directly to the student): $14,400 Sandwich programs: Opportunity to be selected for sandwich programs that incorporate international and home-country study with partner international universities. Upon selection for the program, scholars will have a chance to conduct research at a globally renowned institution in their field of study, benefit from the knowledge of international faculty, and interact with other PhD students pursuing training in the same area of study.   Additional support: Further support for post-PhD development-focused research and innovation PASET RSIF Webinar

13. 2017 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS PASET RSIF Webinar

14. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country. Applicants must have applied to at least one of RSIF’s 4 African Host Universities in at least one of the thematic areas. For the 2017/2018 cohort, the 3  eligible thematic areas are: ICT Food security Mining, minerals and materials engineering Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study Important to note: Applicants must be willing to enroll full-time in the PhD program. Scholars may take on teaching/research assistantship related to their discipline of study on the campus where they are pursuing their PhD program. Applicants must have completed their Master’s program and received their degree at the time of applying for this PhD scholarship. Applicants may apply to more than one Host University PASET RSIF Webinar

15. Priority Considerations All applicants that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. Please note, priority will be given to applicants who: Are junior African faculty/academic staff with 1-5 years of teaching/research experience but no PhD Have a compelling life history and academic trajectory Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing an academic career beyond the scholarship period Demonstrate leadership potential, such as community service in areas related to PASET RSIF fields of study Are women or ethnic minorities; have physical disabilities PASET RSIF Webinar

16. Host Universities The four competitively selected RSIF host universities include: • University of Gaston Berger, Senegal • Center: Africa Center of Excellence for Mathematics, Informatics, and ICT (MITIC)Thematic area: ICT African University of Science and Technology, Nigeria Center: Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI)Thematic area: Materials, Mining & Minerals Engineering • University of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Cote d’Ivoire • Center: Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Change Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CCBAD)Thematic area: Food security • Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania • Center: Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans & Animals in Southern & Eastern Africa (SACIDS)Thematic area: Food security PASET RSIF Webinar

17. Partner Universities PASET Partner Universities for 2017/2018 are: Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea KIST is a pioneer in science and technology research. It runs a Master’s and doctoral degree program at its International Research and Development Academy to nurture scientific and technological talent from all over the world. Thematic areas: ICT; Food Security; Mining, Minerals and Materials Engineering Maastricht University (MU), Netherlands Maastricht University (MU) is the largest international university in the Netherlands. It is known for its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education as well as high-quality research and study programs. Thematic areas: ICT PASET RSIF Webinar

18. Application Process PASET RSIF Webinar

19. Documents Required Statement of purpose (750 words maximum) Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript Master’s degree certificate and transcript Curriculum Vitae (CV) Recommendation Letters (submit emails of two references) PASET RSIF Webinar

20. Timeline Jul 24: APPLICATION DEADLINE (5:00pm GMT) Mid-Oct: Enrollment in Host Universities Early-Sept: Application decisions Sep Aug Oct Jun Jul Jun 19: Call for applications launched Early-Oct: Pre-departure orientation for accepted students Mid-Sept: Scholar acceptances End-Aug: Interviews of nominated scholars PASET RSIF Webinar

21. For more information PASET-RSIF Website: www.rsif-paset.org/apply Details of the call Frequently Asked Questions Application check-list Host Institution Websites MITIC CCBAD SACIDS PAMI For questions on RSIF, contact: paset@aau.org To APPLY ONLINE: https://www.aau.org/subs/paset/ PASET RSIF Webinar

22. Questions • Am I eligible to apply if I am rounding up my M.Sc. by Oct. 2017? • Are men also eligible for this scholarship? • Should enrollment in the host university be preceded by the submission of the application for the scholarship? • Can a candidate holding a professional Masters in Science and Technology of Animal Productions apply for a PhD at CCBAD or SACIDS? • Can I propose a topic which mixes mines and environment ? • Will the thesis project be developed with the supervisor of the host university or should we already have our projects? • Should the subject of the thesis and the associated research be directed exclusively to the country of the host university or also to any other country including the student’s country of origin?

23. Questions • For successful scholars, will the RSIF provide grants to allow scholars to travel to institutions in other countries in the course of their research, if need be? • Is there an opportunity for teaching assistantships in the host institution as part of the scholarship holder's contribution to the host institution?

24. THANK YOURSIF Implementation Unit (RIU)Association of African Universities and PASET Secretariat paset@aau.org pasetafrica@worldbank.org