VLIR-UOS Marine & Lacustrine Science & Management Scholarships for Developing Countries

Overview

VLIR-UOS Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes) Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries to Study at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. This two-year master programme in “Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management” (Oceans & Lakes) addresses students with a background in Sciences. Oceans & Lakes is an inter-university programme organized by the Faculty of Sciences of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Free University of Brussels), Universiteit Antwerpen (UA, Antwerp University) and Universiteit Gent (UGent, Ghent University). It provides students with strong fundamental and applied knowledge and prepares them for an active role in the scientific research and management of marine and lacustrine systems. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical geological, ecological and societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development.

Oceans & Lakes trains students in:

• becoming a multidisciplinary scientist who thinks and works across fields and
disciplines
• playing a key role in high quality scientific marine and lacustrine research
• providing advice in management and an integrated concept and view on marine and lacustrine systems
• becoming critically minded, problem-solving and communicative scientists

The diversity of professional, disciplinary and cultural backgrounds of both students and lecturers ensures that the Oceans & Lakes programme has a truly unique international character.

The course programme consists of 6 parts:

1. Core courses with compulsory courses covering disciplines which are considered as essential knowledge for a marine and lacustrine scientist.
2. In depth-courses such as Marine Biodiversity and Ecology, Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
3. Broadening courses such as Governance and Policy in Development and Cooperation
4. Supporting courses such as Data and Information Management, Geographic Information System, Applied Statistics
5. One Major to choose out of 4 specialisations:
1. Biodiversity and ecology
2. Conservation biology ad ecosystem management
3. Environmental impact and remediation
4. Earth science systems
6. The master thesis consists of an individual research project related to ongoing research in one of the associated research groups. Here the student chooses a subject related to your major module.

Admission requirements

Oceans & Lakes is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography, geography and geomathics, bio-engineer science or environmental sciences. For other bachelors in science and applied science, equivalency will be evaluated based on scientific competences and skills of the students by the Oceans & Lakes Steering 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: 10
Promoter: Prof. N. Koedam (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Prof. G. De Boeck (University of Antwerp)

Contact:
Mrs K. Van Puyvelde
Oceans & Lakes - secretariat, Faculty of Science and Bio-Engineering
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
T +32 (0)2 629 34 02
F +32 (0)2 629 34 03
oceansandlakes@vub.ac.be
http://www.oceansandlakes.be

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