2015 Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme for Applicants with Physical Disabilities

CLOSING DATE: 31ST MARCH 2015

The Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme was launched in 2007 with the aim of contributing to the production and retention of high calibre African human capital for sustainable development of the continent in critical development areas, while promoting regional integration through intra-African mobility of students.

The Scholarship Scheme is intended to enable young Africans to study in leading African Universities with a binding agreement that beneficiaries will work in an African country for at least the same duration of scholarship period after graduation. To encourage the participation of young African students with permanent physical disabilities at postgraduate level in Masters Programmes and support them to achieve their higher education goals, the Commission of the African Union is offering a Special Call Only for Applicants with Physical Disabilities to study in African Universities which have appropriate facilities and good services for the disabled students.

An acceptance letter from a university confirming that the applicant will be admitted and attend as a full-time student shall be required from each applicant. Students are expected to meet high academic requirements. Applicants must submit a physician’s statement of disability written on hospital or office letterhead with the physician’s full contact details (phone number, email and physical address).
Physical disabilities include:

• Visual impairments (partial or total loss of sight, blindness)
• Hearing impairments (hardness of hearing, deafness)
• Mobility impairments (partial or total physical functional limitation)

• Be a Citizen of an African Union Member State.
• Have a physical disability.
• Be under the age of thirty five (35) years.
• Be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field, at the level of Upper Second Class Honours. The degree must be from a reputable University.
• Have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement as evidenced by academic transcripts, and academic awards if any.
• Have proof of admission to undertake a full time Masters programme in a recognized university of an African Union Member State.
• Be willing to commit to work in an African Union Member State on completion of studies for at least three (3) years.

THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The scholarship award covers the following:

• Tuition Fees: Maximum for two academic years.
• Stipend: 500 US$ monthly, to support living expenses such as housing, food, utilities, local transportation and medication.
• Book Allowance: An allowance of 500 US$ per year for the purchase of books and other supplies.
• Air ticket: A round-trip economy fare for the most direct route between the beneficiary’s home country and the study destination of host Institute.
  Travel Allowance:
• One-off payment of 250 US$ to contribute towards ground transportation from airport and settling-in costs
• One-off payment of 350 US$ to assist with shipping and other terminal expenses; upon departure from the host Institution after successful completion of the study.
• Computer Allowance: One-off payment of 1,000 US$ for the purchase of laptop computer and accessories.
  Note: Candidates must complete all academic work within the specified period
  of the programme (no longer than two years) as this scholarship is not renewable and cannot be extended.

How to Apply:

• Completed application form
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Summarized CV with names and contacts of three referees.
• Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
• Certified copies of Passport or national Identity Card indicating citizenship
• Physician’s letter confirming physical disability of the applicant.
• Copy of admission letter from a recognized African University
• Two (2) Reference Letters with contact addresses.
• An essay of not more than 500 words that explains why the candidate has chosen his/her particular field of study and its importance to Africa’s development.