Call for Applications: Afghan Communications Scholarship, which provides fully funded fellowships to qualified citizens of Afghanistan to complete a two-year MA in communications in Ottawa

Call for Applications: Afghan Communications Scholarship

The Open Society Institute seeks applicants for the Afghan Communications Scholarship, which provides fully funded fellowships to qualified citizens of Afghanistan to complete a two-year MA in communications at the University of Ottawa/l'Université d'Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada.

The program provides the opportunity for post-graduate study in Canada for journalists and communications professionals in early or mid-career who demonstrate both academic and professional excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision makers, and agents of change.

The Afghan Communications Scholarship provides fully funded fellowships to qualified citizens of Afghanistan to complete a two year MA in Communications at the University of Ottawa/l'Université d'Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. The program provides the opportunity for post-graduate study in Canada for journalists and communications professionals in early or mid-career who demonstrate both academic and professional excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision-makers and agents of change. Up to five finalists will be awarded a grant beginning in July 2010 and concluding in May 2012.

The master's program is offered in Canada's two official languages, French and English. Le programme de maîtrise est offert dans les deux langues officielles du Canada, soit le français et l'anglais. Pour information en français: www.communication.uottawa.ca/fra/program2.html
Fields of Study Offered

The Master of Arts in Communications offers two fields of specialization: Media Studies and Organizational Communication.

Media studies examines the content and the modes of operation of traditional and new media in their social, cultural, political and regulatory contexts.

Organizational Communication focuses on the mechanisms of internal and external communication in private and public organizations, group and interpersonal interactions in the work place and media relations.

Teaching and research emphasize major issues related to new information and communication technologies in media and organizations at national and international levels.

For more information about the program of study please visit the University of Ottawa Department of Communications website.
Eligibility

The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The competition is merit-based and open to those meeting the following criteria:

* resident of Afghanistan;
* holding an undergraduate degree (4- or 5-year) at the time of application deadline with an excellent academic record;
* proficient in spoken and written English or French at time of application;
* able to demonstrate professional aptitude in communications and/or journalism;
* committed to returning to Afghanistan after completion of the program.

Deadline

Monday, December 28, 2009
Criteria for Selection

Approximately 5 awards will be granted in 2010. Selection is based on academic and professional merit, professional aptitude, leadership potential, long-term commitment to change in Afghanistan, and English or French language ability. A North America-based selection committee will review applications of candidates who meet the requirements and will select semifinalists.

Semifinalists will be tested for English or French and interviewed in Afghanistan in January/February 2010. The program will cover costs associated with language testing and interviews. The final selection committee will recommend finalists and all semifinalists will be notified of their status by April Please do NOT contact the OSI office in Kabul about your status. The office will contact candidates after receiving notification from OSI–New York.
Financial Terms

Fellowships will cover the following costs:

* program-related travel;
* pre-departure and arrival orientation;
* all costs associated with the pre-academic summer school program;
* tuition (for pre-academic and graduate program);
* monthly living stipend (to cover room and board);
* textbooks;
* professional development support;
* accident and illness insurance;
* participation in program meetings in Canada or the US.

Visa Sponsorship

Participants will enter Canada on a student visa and are expected to comply with all visa regulations. Students may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement upon completion of the program. Requests for visa renewals or extensions will not be considered.
Dependents

The program does not offer any financial support or special provisions for dependent family members. Family members will have to apply on their own for Canadian visas.
Participant Responsibility

Pre-Academic Summer Program: From early-July to early-August 2010, grantees are required to participate in a four-week pre-academic summer program held in Istanbul, Turkey. The program consists of classes in academic writing in English, as well as social science and humanities-based seminars.

Fellowship: In addition to the summer program, finalists must attend a pre-departure orientation (held during the summer school in Istanbul) and an annual program workshop, held in Canada or the US each spring. Fellows must uphold the academic standards of the host university and undertake full-time study for the duration of the program. Fellows will not be permitted to change their assigned host university or field of study. Failure to maintain academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the program.
Contact Information

Please send all applications and supporting documents to the address below.

Foundation Open Society Institute Afghanistan (FOSI)
Shahre Now, Butcher Street, First Left Lane, House No 53
Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel: +93 775 398 278
Email: ottawa.scholarship(at)gmail.com

http://www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship/focus_areas/afghan/gui...