Entries open for the MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
The MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa was successfully inaugurated in 2017, fulfilling our aspiration to cultivate young leaders with a continent-wide development perspective and to foster enhanced collaboration among African nations.
This MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development allows African students to pursue their studies in a country within Africa that is not their own, thereby enabling them to experience the richness and diversity that the host nation and its communities provide. By increasing access to education, we aim to promote openness to new ideas and establish a network of like-minded leaders dedicated to advancing the performance and tangible progress of our continent. It is evident that a more integrated African economy on a global scale will expedite growth, yield positive outcomes, and benefit all communities involved.
OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK – MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development offers scholarships to Africans aspiring to undertake postgraduate studies within Africa, outside their home countries. Through customized leadership development initiatives, the MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development seeks to cultivate leaders with a continental development mindset; leaders who will enhance unity and cooperation among African nations.
MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development are available for full-time enrollment in one or two-year Honors or Master’s degree programs at selected MINDS preferred institutions (listed below). MINDS does not dictate the specific courses to be pursued.
The Scholarship will cover some or all of the following expenses, contingent upon whether a partial or full scholarship is granted:
– Tuition fees
– Accommodation and meals
– One return airfare for the duration of studies
– A fixed stipend.
Individuals possessing a Pan-African perspective, proven leadership skills, and an outstanding academic record who wish to study in Africa, outside their home country, are encouraged to apply for these scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria – MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
MINDS Scholarships are awarded to meritorious applicants following a rigorous selection process. To be considered for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:
- Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country
- Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s outside of your country of citizenship and/ or residency
- Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s to pursue postgraduate studies within the following year
- Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/ course in the last two completed years of study
- Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions/ requirements set out in the application form
- Submit a complete online application form (see below) with the required supporting documentation.
List of Preferred Institutions: MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
To be eligible to receive a MINDS Scholarship, an applicant must have been accepted to study at one of the following institutions:
EAST AFRICA
- African Leadership University, Rwanda
- Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, Rwanda
- Makerere University, Uganda
- Strathmore University, Kenya
SOUTHERN AFRICA
- African Leadership University, Mauritius
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
- University of Mauritius, Mauritius
- University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
NORTH AFRICA
- Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
- Université Cadi Ayyad, Morocco
- Université Mohammed V, Morocco
WEST AFRICA
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana
- Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria
- University of Development Studies, Ghana
Applying for a MINDS Scholarship – MINDS Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development
MINDS is currently receiving applications from students who commence their studies in 2018/2019. Interested individuals are invited to submit applications as soon as they receive official acceptance from a MINDS preferred university at which they wish to study. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you can submit your application by clicking on the link below. Please have the following documents scanned, saved and ready for uploading. All documents uploaded must be in PDF format. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB in size.
- A copy of the data/ bio page of your passport.
- A certified academic transcript/ results slip of the last two years of study.
- A copy of the official acceptance letter from the university. The letter must:
- Be addressed to the applicant.
- State the degree which the applicant has been accepted to study.
- State the academic year at which the degree will commence.
- State the duration of the course (e.g. one year).
- A copy of a valid study permit or visa OR proof of application. (Optional)
- A detailed CV/ Resume of not more than four (4) single sided pages.
- Two reference letters (of not more than 3 pages each) addressing the applicant’s demonstration of integrity, their competency and/or potential as a leader and their commitment to the development of the African continent.
Guidance – Applying for a MINDS Scholarship? We offer some guidance:
- Ensure that you meet ALL of the requirements set out and upload ALL of the required documents. Applications that do not meet requirements or for which all required documentation has not been provided are immediately disqualified. Do not get yourself disqualified because you’re in a hurry to submit an application. Rather take the time to ensure that you meet the requirements and to gather all of the required documents before submitting an application.
- We are looking for individuals with a Pan-African outlook, strong leadership potential and a track record of academic excellence. Your application must demonstrate these elements convincingly.
- We encourage applicants to consider universities that are outside of South Africa. Most applications received to date have been for South African institutions and there are limited numbers that can be awarded to each university. This means that competition is stiffer for South African institutions.
- There are two scholarships available for South African citizens wishing to study elsewhere in Africa.
- We have set aside scholarships for studies that relate to Actuarial Sciences, Business Sciences and Accounting. If you wish to conduct such studies at any of the South African, Kenyan and Nigerian institutions that are on our preferred list, do not miss the opportunity to apply. Ensure that you meet the requirements before submitting an application. Click here to apply now for the program
