The AIT-Sida Scholarship Programme: Higher Education for Poverty Alleviation

Call for Scholarship Applications, Vietnam
The Asian Institute of Technology is inviting applications from eligible   candidates for scholarships for Master Degree studies.

Background
The Sida scholarship programme has the specific purpose of reducing poverty. It is designed to result in outcomes of more people with better qualifications and more motivation to address poverty in the region. This will in turn result in better conceived and implemented poverty initiatives providing direct benefits to the poor.

This scholarship is applied for all master programs available at AIT in Bangkok, Thailand (please refer to www.ait.ac.th for more details) which normally last for 22 months in Bangkok and will begin in August 2011 and January 2012.

Eligibility and selection criteria
To achieve this, the following criteria and requirements apply to the students supported by the programme.
The focus of the scholarship cooperation is on poverty alleviation. Thus, in addition to the normal academic qualifications required for AIT (cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.75) applicants must have work experience in and demonstrate commitment to work on poverty alleviation to be eligible for the support. The applicants need to provide a written account of their background and their intentions after graduation with respect to work in poverty alleviation. Successful applicants are also expected to participate in follow up activities after graduation.
The specific requirements vary from country to country, as the target pool of candidates in each country is determined by the specific needs and requirements of the country.

For Vietnam, provincial and district level government officers are the primary target group for this programme. Additionally, professionals who work in poverty target areas and show commitment/devotion in poverty alleviation programs can also apply.

Eligible applicants should have:
- A Bachelor’s degree
- At least two years of working experience in poverty reduction programmes
- At least C-level English competency
- Between 25-35 years of age

Applications from women and indigenous communities are encouraged.

Submission of application
Please submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae,
2. A personal statement about your motivation and how a Master degree in the field of your choice would improve your abilities and skills to alleviate poverty, and
3. A recommendation letter from your employer about your engagement in poverty alleviation. This should also include a reference about your level of proficiency in English

To the provisional National focal point for this programme
Dr. Nguyen Huong Thuy Phan
Head of Environment and Development Section (EDS)
Asian Institute of Technology in Vietnam
CMARD 2 Building, 45 Dinh Tien Hoang, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: 84-8-3910 7423 Ext 118
Fax: 84-8-3910 7422
Email: [email protected]

Application deadline is March 20, 2011

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a selection workshop in Hanoi, at the end of which selected candidates will submit a full application to AIT.