African scientists interested in pursuing doctoral training in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (ASET), have a chance to access fully funded scholarships, tenable in selected African universities in collaboration with highly recognised international institutions.
The opportunity is provided by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship programme of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET).
An initiative by African governments, PASET aims to address fundamental gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long-term, sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
RSIF aims to support PhD training, research and innovation, towards creating much needed technical and scientific capacity for the advancement and use of transformative technologies for development in Africa.
According to International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), the initiative is currently funded by contributions from several African governments, the World Bank and the Korean government.
RSIF is availing 45 scholarships in five thematic areas identified by PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development in Africa, information communication technologies (ICTs), including big data and artificial intelligence, food security and agribusiness, minerals, mining and materials engineering, energy including renewables and climate change.
ICIPE said in a statement on Thursday that the scholars will be enrolled in 10 African universities.
In addition, the scholars will conduct part of their research in international organisations, where they will collaborate and be mentored by leading global experts in their fields of study.
The call for applications was announced on 14 June 2019 with a closing date of 22 July 2019.
JK/APA