Friday, 23 September 2011

Simon Youth Foundation set to name the best of the best

File photo from the Simon Youth
Pacers Academy at Washington Square

Simon Youth Academy teachers make it happen.

They are sages, advocates, sounding boards, motivators, caregivers, cheerleaders, mentors, and hope igniters for the at-risk students in the alternative high schools that Simon Youth Foundation sponsors with our public school partners.

Now, SYF is ready to use another title to describe one of its teachers – the best.

The SYF National Teacher of the Year will be named at the SYF National Conference, Connections of Impact, which is set for Oct. 9-12 in Schaumburg, Ill., and runs in conjunction with the National Dropout Prevention Network Conference.

The recognition is reserved for the top teacher from the network of 23 nationwide Simon Youth Academies in 13 states as nominated by students, peers, and community members and chosen by a selected panel of teachers and community leaders.

The finalists for the SYF National Teacher of the Year award are:

Syreeta Blakely

School: Simon Youth Academy at Opry Mills (currently operating at Hickory Hollow) 

Public school partner: Metro Nashville Public Schools

One reason why she's nominated: Syreeta is teaching her students business principles and leadership by connecting them with a struggling local business to help the owner develop new strategies to increase revenue. Students will research, conduct interviews, and apply classroom lessons to identify the company's needs and create solutions.   

Beth Brunton
School: Simon Youth Academy at Northgate Mall

Public school partner: Seattle Public Schools

One reason why she's nominated: Beth raised the money needed to hire a life coach and substance abuse counselor at her academy, which has helped her at-risk students better learn goal setting and self sufficiency. Students who struggle with substance abuse also have benefited from the additional support.

Katie Burton
School: Simon Youth Clark Pleasant Academy

Public school partner: Clark Pleasant Community School Corporation

One reason why she's nominated: Katie guided a student effort that earned her academy a grant to purchase clothes to fill the "Warrior Wardrobe." Named after the school mascot, the wardrobe is a collection of professional attire that low-income students can borrow to wear for job and internship interviews. 

Karla Fridley
School: Simon Youth Pacers Academy at Washington Square

Public school partner: Indianapolis Public Schools

One reason why she's nominated: Karla keeps every student's phone number in her Rolodex and calls students and parents whenever a day of school is missed, which keeps students accountable and engaged.

Gabriele Simpson
School: Simon Youth Judson Learning Academy at Rolling Oaks Mall

Public school partner: Judson Independent School District

One reason why she's nominated: Gabriele created student-specific tutorials to help students pass the exit-level state math exam. She reviewed every student's performance on the year's math tests to identify individual strengths and weaknesses, and the revealed trends were used to craft unique tutorials for each students to use to study for his or her state exam.

Tammye Young
School: Simon Youth Academy at Terrace at The Florida Mall

Public school partner: Orange County Public Schools

One reason why she's nominated: Tammye works one-on-one with students to help them produce competitive resumes and to practice proper interview techniques, which is especially important at the academy where a school to work program requires that students maintain regular employment.

What the winner brings home
The SYF 2011 National Teacher of the Year will be honored at an awards dinner at the SYF National Conference and will present a scheduled lecture on best practices in alternative schools at the National Dropout Prevention Conference.

The winner also will receive a stipend to cover expenses for attending both conferences, which run concurrently, and a $1,000 grant will be awarded to the Teacher of the Year's school for the purchase of new supplies, equipment or other enhancements.













Wednesday, 21 September 2011

A night of big names and bright lights will benefit Simon Youth Foundation students

One of the hottest tickets in Indianapolis, Ind., each fall, The Masquerade is set to return on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, to benefit Simon Youth Foundation and Pacers Foundation.

In the last decade, the annual gala has generated $6 million for the two foundations while building crucial awareness of the foundations' work with at-risk youth. As it relates to SYF, revenue from The Masquerade will benefit the national network of Simon Youth Academies and the Simon Youth Scholarships program.

Each year, The Masquerade honors a significant Indianapolis community leader, and in 2011, Rick Fuson, Chief Operating Officer of Pacers Sports and Entertainment will be recognized. You can learn more about Fuson's impact on Indianapolis and about The Masquerade 2011 to benefit SYF at the Inside Indiana Business website, where the event's official announcement was published yesterday.

The Masquerade 2009 event stage
The Masquerade's title sponsor is PNC Bank, and the event is generously supported by the following major sponsors: Merrill Lynch, Melvin Simon & Associates, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Simon Property Group, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP, Fifth Third Bank, Indianapolis Colts, Republic Services, St. Vincent Health, and White Lodging--Marriott Place Indianapolis.

Tickets to the The Masquerade are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at $300 for an individual and $2,400 for a table of eight. Interested parties should contact Brandi Young at SYF at byoung@simon.com or 317-263-2481.

Friday, 16 September 2011

UPDATED: Trucking company helps Simon Youth Foundation student haul in life-changing experience

UPDATE ON THURDAY, OCT. 6
Juliana Velandia's story of success in the school to work program at the Simon Youth Academy at Terrace at The Florida Mall was reported in the Orlando Sentinel on Oct. 6, 2011, by journalist Lauren Roth, who covers the Orange County Public Schools system for the paper.

You can read the Orlando Sentinel's story on Simon Youth Foundation and its impact on Juliana and other students using this link

In the article, Roth writes about the success of the overall school to work program in Orange County, reporting a combined graduation rate of more than 85 percent at the Simon Youth Academy and two other non-traditional high schools in the district that use the program.

ORIGINAL POST ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
TransPremier LLC, a trucking company in Orlando, Fla., is enjoying unprecedented cash flow, according to the small business’s President, Sergio Guarnizo, and this is despite the down economy.

And it is all thanks to a 19-year-old high school student Guarnizo says.

“Juliana handles all of our invoices, and I find them on my desk very quickly after jobs have been closed,” Guarnizo says. “She is making my business more efficient, we have better cash flow, and this is making us more successful than ever.”

Juliana Velandia at her
Trans Premier LLC desk
Juliana Velandia is a senior-year student at the Simon Youth Academy at Terrace at The Florida Mall, an alternative school for at-risk youth that Simon Youth Foundation supports in partnership with Orange County Public Schools.

The academy operates under a unique school-to-work program that requires its students to maintain regular employment. Velandia started working with TransPremier LLC in November, 2010.

“I like the work and have learned a lot about how successful I can be, because the company trusts me and teaches me new skills,” Velandia says.

“Juliana is a great success story; because she is making a real impact for her employer, and the experience is making a real impact on her,” says E.J. Shiver, the jobs coordinator at Juliana's academy who is in charge of connecting students with viable work opportunities.

Shiver says that all of his students complete the same hiring process as other job candidates for a particular position, making applications and completing interviews. He simply does the research on where jobs are available and how well they match with the skills and abilities of specific students.

“Our students are talented, and because working a job is a mandatory part of our curriculum, they have incentive to do well in their work places,” Shiver says.

Currently, 14 academy students have secured regular work for the academic year. Three were just hired on Sept. 12, 2011, by Chick-fil-a, and a total of six have found work in businesses that operate at The Florida Mall, taking advantage of the school’s location on the Simon mall’s property.

Velandia manages invoicing for all of the jobs completed by
Trans Premier LLC's large fleet of trucks 
Guarnizo says hiring academy students is an investment in his company’s future and in the future of the community’s next generation.

“Juliana is helping us be a better company, but I also have seen how this experience is good for her. She is more confident, professional, happier and interested in advancing her career,” Guarnizo says. “She now has hope for the future.”

Shiver believes the academy’s students, many of whom had been considered at-risk for dropping out, are now well ahead of their peers as they prepare for a post-secondary education or a career, because they have real-world experiences and skills to draw from as they advance.

“In helping connect students with job opportunities, you could say that I am helping put the students on the path to success, but ultimately they have to travel the road on their own,” Shiver says. “That journey is making them better young people, and it is making their future much brighter.”

Velandia says her future seems brighter by the day. She’s already received a $1.50 an hour raise in her first 10 months on the job, and Guarnizo says another bump in pay is on the horizon. Velandia also has plans to enroll in college.

“I like the trucking industry very much, and I want to get an education to learn the skills that will help me help my company,” she says. “I can see myself working with TransPremier LLC for a long time.”

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

SYF students honor Sept. 11 anniversary with the sale of American flag pins

SYF students Lyndsay Konovalchik and 
James Grieves volunteered to sell American flag pins

Simon Youth Foundation students from the Simon Youth Peabody Learning Academy at the Northshore Mall outside of Boston, Mass., joined millions of Americans to remember the victims and heroes of 9/11 with the sale of flag pins at the mall's guest-services desk on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. terror attacks.

"We saw this opportunity as an important part of providing community service on behalf of Simon Youth Foundation and the Northshore Mall," says the academy's principal Seith Bedard. "Our students were proud to help people be able to express their patriotism and emotions regarding the 9/11 attacks."

The academy students and teachers chose to donate the proceeds of the flag pin sales to SYF in memory of the victims of 9/11. 

The flag pin sale proceeds will support SYF's major initiatives: Simon Youth Academies, which are alternative schools primarily located in 13 states that serve students who are at risk for dropping out of high school, and Simon Youth Scholarships, which target first-generation college students.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

International Scholarships at University of Westminster, UK 2012


Deadline:
1 November 2011

Open to: International students

Scholarship: Full tuition fee waivers, accommodation, living expenses and flights to and from London.

These generous awards are aimed at fully funding you if you are from a developing country and will study a full-time Masters degree at the University. Particular preference will be given to you if you can demonstrate how the knowledge you acquire from your studies will aid the development of your own country.

Eligibility

You must be an international student from a developing country and hold an offer for a full-time Masters degree.

Academic excellence, development potential and financial need.

How to apply

Apply for scholarships only after you have been offered a place (conditional or unconditional) on a course at the University of Westminster.

Please do not apply if you have already enrolled or begun a course of study at the University of Westminster.

Read the information on individual scholarships carefully and ensure that you only apply for ones that you are eligible for and meet the criteria of. For example, do not apply for the Vietnam Scholarship unless you are from Vietnam.

Photocopy the application form at the back of our scholarships brochure or print the form from our website.

Use the same application form when applying for more than one scholarship.

Attach the relevant papers only and keep your supporting documents to a minimum. The quantity of documents sent does not give any advantage.

Attach translations where supporting documents are in any other language but English.

Word process the application as far as possible. If handwriting the application, please ensure it is written clearly and in block letters. Illegible applications will be considered ineligible.

Keep your application concise.

Unless you are applying for a specific scholarship, just say what level of support you require eg, fees only, fees and accommodation etc and the scholarship will be matched to your needs where possible.

Provide a valid email address. The University and its Scholarships Committee is not responsible for opportunities missed because of an invalid email address.

Only send copies of your academic transcript as the university is not able to return any original documentation sent.

It is acceptable for your university to send transcripts directly to the university, but they will not be returned to you.

If, as an international student, you are already in the U.K. please explain why.

Application procedure and presentation guidelines

Address:
Scholarships Office
University of Westminster
Cavendish House
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 66257/66258


VISIT The Official Website FOR MORE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION


MAKULILO FOUNDATION
California, USA

Monday, 12 September 2011

Simon Youth Foundation teachers turn classroom expansion into learning opportunity

Shakespeare said that “joy’s soul lies in the doing,” and if that is true, there will be much joy among the students at the Simon Youth Rose Tree Media Academy at Granite Run Mall in Media, PA, this semester.

Under a new instructional approach being used by the academy’s teaching team, including administrator Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, the students are developing an in-depth business, architectural and operations plan for a new 400 square foot classroom that the school is adding to its existing learning space.

“Project Based Learning is an instructional approach that emphasizes skill development, and students learn by doing rather than simply reading, listening or memorizing,” DiMarino-Linnen says.

Teachers and students at Simon Youth
Rose Tree Media Academy are ready to renovate
a new classroom with Project Based Learning

For the classroom expansion project, students will develop a plan to turn the space into an art-therapy classroom. DiMarino-Linnen says that students are required by the state to complete two and a half hours of counseling each week, and art therapy is means to meet this requirement by letting students express themselves through art.

“We have split our students up in two working groups of 14 students each, and both are developing unique plans for the space,” DiMarino-Linnen says.

The students will work with a local architect on some of the design elements, and they’ll have to complete detailed business proposals by the end of the semester before being graded on the oral presentation of those proposals. Completing the course, or project in this case, will earn students one full credit toward graduation.

“The students will be learning professional skills when they do things like price out supplies and manage the construction budget, and I also am excited to see how they work together in groups.

“In almost any profession, some degree of team work is required to move a project along successfully, and to gain that experience now as high school students will put our students a step ahead,” DiMarino-Linnen says.

The academy, which is supported by Simon Youth Foundation in partnership with the local Rose Tree Media School District, was able to activate its Project Based Learning program, including the acquisition of required collateral, with the help of a $2,000 enhancement grant from SYF awarded in the spring of 2011.

“Our annual enhancement grant program is another way for the Foundation to make a difference in the lives of the students in our national network of Simon Youth Academies, and I am very happy that the Rose Tree Media Academy has been able to implement this new learning approach so quickly,” says J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D., the President and CEO of SYF.

Saturday, 10 September 2011

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TRAINING AND MASTER PROGRAMMES IN FLANDERS, BELGIUM


VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from Africa, Asia and Latin-America to follow a training or master programme at a Dutch speaking university or university college in Belgium. The eligible training or master programmes are taught in English. They are designed for people in positions of responsibility in civil society.

The scholarships cover all related expenses. For application, please visit the website of the training or master programme. The deadline for application for the master programmes: 1 February 2012; for training programmes: check the programme websites.


Eligibility criteria

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. 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 are not required for a master programme, but they can be a competitive advantage for selection, depending on the programme. 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.

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.

When you are an applicant from a university engaged in a VLIR-IUC partnership, it is required that the Flemish or local IUC coordinator declares that you are not linked to an IUC funded department. If you are linked to such a department, you do not qualify for a scholarship from the scholarship programme from VLIR-UOS but can apply for funding from the IUC budget in case you would be academically admitted.

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.

For the academic admission criteria please check the requirements of the training or master programmes.


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

The Belgian government does not allow us to give scholarships to residents or nationals from other countries than those on the country list. Alternative sponsors can be found on www.scholarshipportal.eu

How to apply

You can apply from October 2011 for a scholarship by following the procedure below:

1. Go to the information page of the training or master programme of your interest.
2. Look for the inscription link on the programme website and apply via the application form of the Flemish host university or university college.
3. Receive a return e-mail from the Flemish host university or university college.
4. Send a printout of your application file along with all required documents (diploma transcripts, motivation, etc…) to the International Office of the host university or university college (not to VLIR-UOS!). You will find the information on the website of the programme.

Then you have correctly applied and can your application be considered. Scholarship application deadlines are:
Master programme: 1 February 2012
Training programme: check the programme websites

Candidates selected for a VLIR-UOS scholarship will be contacted by VLIR-UOS the latest mid June 2012.


SOURCE: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO FOUNDATION
California, USA

The European Masters in Lifelong Learning: Policy and Management

Deadline: 16 January 2012

Open to: Students from Third-Country

Scholarship: Scholarships are worth €48,000 which covers two-year tuition fee of Euro 16,000 and living allowances to study the MALLL programme.

The European Commission offers a limited number of Erasmus Mundus Category A scholarships for third country (non-EU) students. The number of applications by third country students must be limited to a maximum of three Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses. Erasmus Mundus provides a response to the challenges of globalisation faced by European higher education today, in particular the need to adapt education systems to the demands of the knowledge society, to enhance the attractiveness and visibility of European higher education worldwide and to stimulate the process of convergence of degree structures across Europe. The programme’s aim is to promote European higher education, to help improve and enhance the career prospects of students and to promote intercultural understanding through cooperation with third countries, in accordance with EU external policy objectives in order to contribute to the sustainable development of third countries in the field of higher education

Description
The European Commission offers a limited number of Erasmus Mundus Category A scholarships for third country (non-EU) students. Category A scholarships can be awarded to students from all countries other than the 27 EU member states and EEA/EFTA states: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and the Swiss Confederation. If you want to find out that your country is considered to be a ‘third-country’, click here.

Mobility tracks for batch 6 (2011-2013)
In the academic year 2011-2012, all MALLL students in batch 6 will study the first year at the Institute of Education, University of London. Both self-funded and scholarship European students can opt to study one module of the second semester in July-August 2012 at Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia. The third semester will be at Deusto University, Spain. For the fourth semester, students can choose between the three European universities to write their thesis.

Mobility tracks for batch 7 (2012-2014)
In the academic year 2012-2014, all MALLL students with Erasmus Mundus in batch 7 will study the first year at the Danish School of Education in Copenhagen, Denmark. Both self-funded and scholarship European students can opt to study one module of the second semester in July-August 2013 at Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia. The third semester will be at Deusto University, Spain. For the fourth semester, students can choose between the three European universities to write their thesis.

Application results
The applicants who are not selected for the scholarships will receive notification by email in March 2012.

The scholarship applicants on the main list and reserve list will receive the final results of their applications in early May 2012 after the Consortium has received the final selection approval from the European Commission.

When a main list student withdraws, he/she is replaced by the first eligible candidate on the reserve list. In this particular case, the eligibility criterion concerns the nationality of the reserve list candidate and the rule concerning the presence of a maximum of two nationals from the same country among the scholarship holders for a given category. If there are already two other students with the same nationality on the main list, the consortium will have to take the next eligible candidate respecting its own ranking list in line with the European Commission regulations.

Eligibility
Category A scholarships can be awarded to third-country masters students selected by EMMC consortia who come from a country other than a European country and who are not residents nor have carried out their main activity (studies, training or work) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in one of these countries.

Scholarship candidates must have already obtained a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognised equivalent level of learning according to national legislation and practices (Individuals who have already benefited from an EMMC scholarship are not eligible for a second scholarship in order to follow the same or another EMMC).

How to apply
Your application including the following documents must arrive at the Danish School of Education in Copenhagen by the above deadline:

Application form (This list will be updated by September 2011).

Certified copies of academics transcripts (Translated into English).

English language proficiency test certificate.

An academic qualification essay based on research literature on any aspect of lifelong learning.

One passport-size photograph

Two recommendation letters from former/current supervisors of which one must be academic referee.

Contact
MA LLL Administration
The Danish School of Education
Aarhus University
Room A 124
Tuborgvej 164
2400 Copenhagen NV
Denmark
T: +45 8888 9000
E: malll@dpu.dk (for students)
E: MALLL-researcher@dpu.dk (for visiting scholars)

For more information about Erasmus Mundus

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT The Official Website

MAKULILO FOUNDATION
California, USA




PhD Sandwich Scholarships for visiting PhD students from developing countries


PhD Sandwich Scholarships
for visiting PhD students from developing countries
to conduct research at a national or international research institute in a developing country
(“South – South PhD Sandwich Scholarships 2012”)


The Food Security Center (FSC) is a university center of excellence in development collaboration at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. FSC is one of five excellence centers of the pro-gram “exceed – Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation”, which is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany. FSC’s mission is to make effective and innova-tive scientific contributions in research, teaching, and policy advice to eradicate hunger and achieve food security in collaboration with partner research and education organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and national and international development and research organizations. Thematically, FSC’s activities deal with issues of sustainable food availability, food access, food use, and food utilization. More information is available from www.foodsecurity.de


Description of South – South Sandwich Scholarship 2012


FSC awards up to four visiting Sandwich scholarships to PhD students from developing countries for a period of six months in 2012. The Center wishes to attract outstanding PhD students pursuing a career in academia or development collaboration. The scholarship aims at increasing their previously gained scientific knowledge and skills relevant to food security related issues. Successful candidates will receive a scholarship for conducting PhD thesis related research studies and hence adding value to the PhD thesis and contributing to the mission of FSC.
For research collaboration, each successful candidate will work with the research staff of one of FSC’s partner universities or an other research center or development organization located in a de-veloping country (e.g., one of the centers of the CGIAR) to conduct a specific research project con-tributing to the mission of FSC and relevant to her/his PhD thesis. Funding for research is expected to be provided by the applicant’s and/or supervisor’s institute and/or other organizations. The objec-tive of the research collaboration is to write at least one joint, peer-reviewed journal publication or paper to be presented at an international conference that contributes to FSC’s mission and that is re-levant to the PhD thesis. Successful candidates are expected to present their research proposal, state of research and preliminary results in the related seminars in the hosting research institute. Participa-tion in teaching and training activities on a limited scale, if possible, is desired.

Inter-regional South-South collaborations (e.g., from Africa to Latin America, or from Latin America to Asia) are encouraged in particular.

Furthermore, FSC aims at establishing an active, long-lasting collaboration with the supported re-searchers and their home institutes through an interactive alumni-network.
The scholarship is awarded for a stay at a partner institute, research center, or development organiza-tion located in a developing country. The monthly grant is 500 Euros. In addition, FSC pays for trav-eling to/from the partner institute. Health insurance and other costs must be paid for from the stipend.

Required skills


The applicant must provide proof of:

• outstanding study performance in agricultural, nutritional, natural, social, economic or political sciences, or related disciplines with specification on food security related issues with a minimum MSc grade of 2.5;

• working on doctoral studies at her/his home institute by the time of application and by the time the scholarship program commences;

• latest academic degree completed no more than 6 years prior to start of scholarship

• agreement on project proposal with host institute in the field of the own PhD thesis;

• confirmation of support of the host institute in a developing country;

• track record of knowledge in the proposed field of study;

• plan to return to his/her home country / country of residence and institute;

• excellent proficiency in oral and written English.

Furthermore, the applicant must:

• be able to conduct innovative research;

• have excellent interpersonal skills and team spirit;

• be able and willing to work well in an interdisciplinary, multicultural environment with individu-als from different scientific, societal and cultural backgrounds and with organizations from the public, private and civil society sector;

• be available for the entire period of the research stay of 6 months in 2012;

• be a national of a developing country according to OECD DAC list.


Application

Application is only possible by completing FSC’s application form, which can be down-loaded from www.foodsecurity.d
e. Besides the application form, the documents indicated in the application form are required for the application.

Applications will only be accepted, if the research proposal is based on FSC’s conceptual framework.

The deadline for the application is September 30, 2011.
In case of questions (after reading the general and the detailed announcement!) please contact Mrs Elke Breitmayer; e-mail: fsc-scholarships@uni-hohenheim.de

Please send complete (!) applications only (!) to fsc-scholarships@uni-hohenheim.de


FSC will confirm the receipt of all (complete) applications (i.e., if an application is not complete or not in the described format, FSC will not consider it and will not confirm receipt of the application).

The selection of the candidates will be in the beginning of December 2011, the scholarship program will start anytime in 2012, based on the agreement between supervisor of the hosting institute and the scholar.

All accepted applications will be selected according to the following criteria:

1. Fulfillment of announcement criteria (cf. “required skills” and “application”);
2. Quality of proposal and project feasibility;
3. Fulfillment of demands (e.g. of hosting institutes or emerging from collaborations with (devel-opment) organizations).

The selected applicants will be contacted no later than December 19, 2011. Please be aware that FSC will contact only successful candidates.

SOURCE: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO FOUNDATION
California, USA




PhD Program “Global Food Security“ at the University of Hohenheim, Germany

Excellence scholarships

for PhD students

to participate in the

PhD Program “Global Food Security“

at the University of Hohenheim, Germany



The Food Security Center (FSC) is a university center of excellence in development collaboration at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. FSC is one of five excellence centers of the pro-gram “exceed – Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation”, which is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany. FSC’s mission is to make effective and innova-tive scientific contributions in research, teaching, and policy advice to eradicate hunger and achieve food security in collaboration with partner research and education organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and national and international development and research organizations. Thematically, FSC’s activities deal with issues of sustainable food availability, food access, food use, and food utilization. More information is available from www.foodsecurity.de

Scholarship description

FSC awards 10 scholarships for PhD students from developing countries (see OECD DAC list) for a period of 36 months, beginning September 01, 2012 (with a month German language course). The Center wishes to attract outstanding PhD students pursuing a career in academia or development collaboration. The scholarship aims at increasing their previously gained scientific knowledge and skills relevant to food security related issues. The successful candidates will receive scholarships for participating in the PhD program “Global Food Security” to conduct their doctorates.

The scholarship is given for a stay at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. The monthly grant is EUR 1,000 (for the time in Germany, EUR 500 for the time of the field research). In addition, FSC pays for traveling to/from Hohenheim. Health insurance and other costs must be paid for from the stipend.

Selection criteria

Besides the general selection criteria for the PhD program “Global Food Security” (see announce-ment of the PhD program “Global Food Security”), the following criteria have to be met additionally, if applying for an “Excellence scholarship”:

- Latest academic degree completed no more than 6 years prior to start of scholarship;
- Indication for return to his/her home country and institute;
- Be a national of a developing country according to OECD DAC list.

Application
The applicant has to submit the application documents for the PhD program “Global Food Security” and indicate in FSC’s application form, whether s/he applies for an “Excellence scholarship”. In ad-dition to the general application, the applicant has to provide proof regarding the additional selection criteria mentioned above.

The deadline for the application for an “Excellence scholarship” is
October 26th, 2011.


There is one joint application and selection process. Only those applications are accepted which fol-low the application instruction and are submitted with FSC’s application format (see FSC’s web-page).

Please send your application (only!) to: fsc-scholarships@uni-hohenheim.de

FSC will confirm the receipt of all (complete) applications (i.e., if an application is not complete, FSC will not consider it and will not confirm receipt of the application).

The selection of the candidates will be in December, 2011, the program will start on September 1, 2012.

All accepted applications will be selected according to the following criteria:

1. Fulfillment of announcement criteria of the PhD program “Global Food Security” (cf. “Ad-mission” and “Application”);
2. Quality of proposal and project feasibility.

For all pre-selected candidates, FSC will look for a supervisor at the University of Hohenheim. Only after a professor of the University of Hohenheim has accepted the candidate, s/he will be ultimately selected and invited to join the PhD program “Global Food Security” and – if applied for a scholar-ship – awarded an “Excellence scholarship”.

The selected applicants will be contacted no later than January 25, 2012.
Please be aware that FSC will contact only successful candidates.

In case you have further questions, please contact
Ms Elke Breitmayer:
fsc-scholarships@uni-hohenheim.de


SOURCE: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO
California, USA

Education for Sustainable Energy Development Masters Scholarship for Applicants from Developing Countries

What is the purpose of the ESED scholarship?

The purpose of the ESED scholarship is to support outstanding students pursuing advanced studies in sustainable energy development and to encourage meaningful contributions to the collective body of knowledge about this subject.

The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership considers an outstanding student to be one who:

graduates with excellent grades in the top 20% of her/his class
is determined to advance her/his knowledge and understanding
has a history of community involvement
is committed to sustainable energy
is committed to return and contribute to her/his home country


Who is eligible?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, students must

plan to undertake studies at the Masters level in areas directly related to sustainable energy development

be citizens of the developing countries and territories identified for OECD official development aid in the DAC List of ODA Recipients


What are the levels of financial assistance and the duration of the scholarships?

Scholarships of US$ 23,000 per year for up to two years are offered for Masters level students. Up to ten Masters scholarships will be awarded annually.


What are the levels of financial assistance and the duration of the scholarships?

Scholarships of US$ 23,000 per year for up to two years are offered for Masters level students. Up to ten Masters scholarships will be awarded annually.


How can I apply?

Information and the application form can be obtained online by clicking on this link to the Application Forms page.

How can I submit my application package?

Applications should be submitted either by :

Using our Online ESED Scholarship Application Submission
and uploading the requested documents

Sending all the requested files by mail

As the volume of incoming applications is extremely heavy around the deadline, we strongly urge you to submit your file as early as possible. To facilitate processing, please label your attachments as follows:

1_Application_Last_name
2_CV_Last_name
3_Motivation_Last_name
4_Transcripts_Last_name
5_Admission_Last_name
6_Porgramme_outline_Last_name
7_Academic_ref_Last_name
8_Personal_ref_Last_name
9_Citizenship_Last_name

Please note that:


Applications sent by e-mail will no longer be accepted.

Mail packages that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.


What will I need for my application?
All applicants must provide:

1) Application form fully completed;

2) Curriculum vitæ;

3) Applicant statement



Masters Applicants

Please attach the form “Applicant’s Statement form – Masters Degree” provided for this purpose. The form may be downloaded from www.globalelectricity.org scholarship section.

4) Copies of transcripts for degrees and final grades

• Bachelors transcripts - They don’t need to be the original copies. Please note if you are selected you will be requested to provide original copies of all documents.

5) Letter of acceptance from an approved academic institution to undertake studies in sustainable energy development;

• if your admission is pending, please include evidence that you have applied for admission;
• if your admission has been deferred, please included the university deferral confirmation;
• If this application is for the second year of a two-year programme, please include a certificate of enrolment and your results for the first year.

6) Programme outline

Please attach the outline of your Masters Programme of the University of your first choice. Please make sure that your programme has a high content related to Sustainable Energy.
Please note that programmes that have no or small relation with Sustainable Energy will be discarded

7) Academic reference

Masters Applicants
Please attach the form ”Masters Academic Reference” provided for this purpose. The form may be downloaded from www.globalelectricity.org scholarship section.

8) Personal reference, in letter form, must be dated and come from a person (not family member) who can discuss other personal qualities or interest that make you specially qualified to receive the scholarship.

9) Proof of citizenship. Refer to the eligibility section above for country eligibility


Key Dates

The ESED Masters Scholarship deadline is March 9, 2012. All documents must arrive at the Partnership’s General Secretariat by the deadline. All documents arriving after the deadline will not be considered.

How are applications judged?
An Academic Panel consisting of accomplished representatives from Europe, North America and Japan will review the applications. All selections are final and all applicants will be notified.

How will I receive the funds?
Awards will be directly deposited (in US$) into the accounts of the Institution where you are enrolled and provided to you on a regular basis as long as you are making satisfactory progress toward achieving your academic or research requirements.

What are my obligations to the Partnership if I am selected?
You are expected to complete your degree or your research, update the organization about your progress and publish your results. You are required to acknowledge the Partnership’s support when publishing or making presentations on your research and results. We may ask you to present your results at a Partnership function, in which case your out of pocket expenses incurred to make the presentation will be covered by the organization.


SOURCE AND MORE INFO: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO
California, USA

The Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP)

The Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP) is a 2-year-long international Masters course funded by the European Commission. It directly responds to the educational needs created by the rapidly changing global environment and new public policy challenges. Mundus MAPP equips graduates with the conceptual knowledge and hard skills that are necessary for understanding and decisively intervening in contemporary transnational policy problems, from climate change to international terrorism or financial regulatory failure. It provides a detailed and systematic understanding of how political institutions, processes and public policies operate and interact from the global political economy through to national and local levels with a direct focus on European engagements at these levels of governance. Inter-disciplinarity and practical application of conceptual knowledge are hallmarks of Mundus MAPP.

Four leading European universities joined forces to deliver Mundus MAPP: Central European University in Budapest (Hungary), Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (Spain), the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University in the Hague (Netherlands), and the University of York (UK). Building on Mundus MAPP's successful track record, the integrated curriculum provides a uniform core of policy studies as well as modules specific to particular mobility tracks, drawn predominantly from the fields of International Relations, European Studies and Development Studies. The four mobility tracks allow students to specialise in Political Economy and Development, Governance and Development, and European and Global Public Policy, respectively. Each mobility track includes a field trip to a relevant public sector organisation and an internship.


Admissions requirements

Mundus MAPP is open to both European and overseas (third country national) students. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are provided for the best eligible applicants by the European Commission.

Minimum requirements are:

Bachelors degree (completed at least three years of undergraduate study - normally at least Second Class);

Fluency in English: .

Mundus MAPP does not require a language certificate from applicants from the following countries, provided that they have received a Bachelor's or Master'sdegree taught exclusively in English:

Australia, Botswana, Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia,
Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda (English-speaking region), South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA and Zambia

Applicants from countries other than these may request a waiver from the English language admissions requirement if they hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree taught exclusively in English from a university or college in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

All other applicants will need to provide evidence of their English language skills with any one ofthe following test scores:

TOEFL (Computer-based; taken on/after February 11, 2010) 237 or above; OR

TOEFL (Paper version; taken on/after February 11, 2010) 580 or above; OR

TOEFL (Internet version; taken on/after February 11, 2010) 92 or above; OR

International English Language Test (IELTS; taken on/after February 11, 2010) 6.5 or above; OR

Cambridge Proficiency Examination (taken on/after February 11, 2007) C or above; OR

Cambridge Advanced English Test (taken on/after February 11, 2007) B or above.


High motivation and interest in European and international public policy.


Although Spanish is no longer a requirement for mobility tracks involving IBEI, basic knowledge of Spanish is recommended as some electives will only be available in Spanish.

Preference will be given to candidates with relevant work experience.
Download this document for detailed information on the admissions process.



Click here to apply now!


SOURCE: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO
California,USA


AstroMundus – International Master‘s Degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Erasmus Mundus

Deadline: 30 November 2011

Open to: Students of all nationalities who hold a Bachelor degree in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Mathematics and have a good and certified knowledge of the English language.

Scholarship: The fellowships cover tuition fees and student housing at the different sites for the whole duration of 2 years.

AstroMundus is a 2-years Erasmus Mundus Masters Course (120 ECTS) in Astronomy and Astrophysics offered by a consortium of 5 partner universities in 4 different countries: Austria, Italy, Germany, and Serbia (University of Innsbruck, Austria; University of Padova, and University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; University of Göttingen, Germany; University of Belgrade, Serbia).

Objectives

The main objective is to provide top-ranked students with an excellent background in Astrophysics, to introduce them to the world of modern astrophysical research, and foster their future career in this field. At the same time, in the spirit of the Erasmus Mundus programmes, they promote cultural exchanges between Third Country and European students and academics. AstroMundus students carry out their master studies in at least 2 and up to four of these countries, in a stimulating and scientifically excellent international environment.


Main topics

AstroMundus offers an excellent educational level in all branches of Astrophysics, as insured by the wide variety of expertise in the field covered by this international partnership. The main topics covered by the Master programme are:

Galactic Astrophysics (the Sun and the Solar system, the Milky Way, stellar evolution, the interstellar medium)
Extrasolar planets
Extragalactic Astrophysics (galaxies, galaxy evolution, galaxy clusters, intra-cluster medium, star formation)
Active Galactic Nuclei (including accretion theory, relativistic jets, modelling)
Cosmology (including observational cosmology, galaxy surveys, gravitational lensing, very early universe)
Particle Cosmology
Astroparticle Physics
Gravitational waves
Observational astrophysics from the ground and from space
Computational astrophysics (N-body simulations, magneto-hydrodynamic simulations)


Application

Important deadlines

AstroMundus Masters Course edition starting in September 2012:

The call for applications is open from August 1st to November 30th, 2011 for the course starting in September 2012.

Application

Read carefully the section "Who" and find out whether you are an eligible applicant.
If you are an eligible applicant, prepare all the application documents according to the information given in the section "How" and upload your final application file (section "Forms").


Contact

University of Innsbruck
Institute of Astro- and Particle Physics
Technikerstrasse 25
A-6020 Innsbruck

Please send your inquiries via e-mail!
E-mail: astromundus (at) uibk.ac.at

AstroMundus Secretary:
Phone: +43 512 5076054
Fax: +43 512 5072923

SOURCE & MORE INFO: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO
California, USA

Thursday, 1 September 2011

Coca-Cola helps Simon Youth Foundation quench students' thirst for alternative education programs

The Coca-Cola Company® has named Simon Youth Foundation one of the featured charities at its My Coke Rewards® program website from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011.


“Coca-cola is a household name, and we are hopeful that Simon Youth Foundation’s collaboration with Coke brands will help us ramp up national awareness of our programs that keep at-risk students, who may be homeless, severely ill, or forced to work full time to support an impoverished family, from dropping out of high school,” says Simon Youth Foundation President and CEO J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.
 
Coca-Cola cap collection bins have been
set up at Simon Property Group headquarters
Under the partnership, customers can redeem the points under their Coca-Cola® bottle caps and donate the equivalent monetary value to SYF. A 50 cent donation will be made to SYF for every 35 My Coke Rewards points redeemed on the Foundation’s behalf.

All you have to do to donate your My Coke Rewards to SYF is visit www.mycokerewards.com and use the keyword SYF2011.
 
“SYF is a national leader in alternative education programming, and recognition from a leading global brand like Coca-Cola is evidence of the impact our programs are having in school districts throughout the country,” says SYF Board of Directors Chairperson Deborah J. Simon.


Girls Generation - Korean