New Zealand Development Scholarships for Graduates in Ghana 2013

Information for students commencing study in 2014
This page should be read with the general information available in the New Zealand Development Scholarships section.

The New Zealand Government provides Development Scholarships (NZDS) to targeted countries in Africa that offer the opportunity to undertake studies at tertiary education institutions in New Zealand. The Scholarships are a central part of the New Zealand Government’s development assistance to Africa under its Africa Regional Programme. The Scholarships scheme aims to strengthen sustainable economic development in Africa by contributing to human resource development, particularly in agriculture and geothermal development.

Priority sectors

For the 2014 intake, scholarships will be offered at postgraduate level for study related to Sustainable Economic Development with preference given to study in sectors of:

• Agriculture development
• Geothermal development

Type and level of scholarships

NZDS are awarded for full-time, postgraduate level study (i.e. Postgraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Masters degrees) in New Zealand. The types of course include:

• Semester-long Postgraduate Certificates,
• Year-long Postgraduate Diplomas in areas such as Agricultural Science, Water Resource Management, and Geothermal studies, and
• Masters Degrees in subject areas such as Agri-Commerce, Resource Management, and Geothermal Energy.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants for the scholarships must meet the generic eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria, including any criteria specific to Africa.  The Scholarships are directed to public sector, private sector and civil society (including NGO) candidates who independently apply for a scholarship, and who meet the eligibility and selection criteria outlined below. Preference will be given to applicants from disadvantaged communities.

Applicants must:

• be a citizen of Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe (i.e. permanent residents of these countries are not eligible to apply);
• be residing in their country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application;
• have been working in their home country, including since completing their highest tertiary qualification, for at least two years prior to application;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to their home country’s public, private or community sector (as relevant), and to the development of their home country in general;
• agree in writing that they will return to their home country for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s social and economic development;
• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country;
• not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country;
• be 40 years or under at the time of application;
• be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for one already commenced in New Zealand or another country;
• not have completed, or nearly completed, a qualification at a similar level, unless strong developmental relevance is demonstrated;
• satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand education institution at which the qualification is to be undertaken, including English language criteria; and
•  be available to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered.

Applicants cannot:

• be studying full-time at post-secondary level;
• be transferring from another tertiary scholarship (either in New Zealand or in another country) to a New Zealand Development Scholarship;
• hold, or have held, a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship in the 24 months preceding  the scholarship start date;
• not hold another scholarship during the period of the New Zealand Development Scholarship; or
• have been terminated from a New Zealand or Australian Government scholarship previously.

Applicants are expected to continue residing in their home country during the Scholarship application and selection process. If offered a Scholarship, candidates must:

• be able to satisfy Immigration New Zealand requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (e.g. medical checks and police clearance/character checks, etc).
• undertake a medical examination, including HIV/AIDS testing, to ensure they are physically capable of travelling and pursuing long term study in New Zealand.

English language requirement

New Zealand tertiary education institutions set their own admission requirements for English language proficiency. As a guide, most New Zealand education institutions require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0 for postgraduate level study. Some postgraduate qualifications require a higher score, particularly in education and the health sciences. All applicants should check the English language proficiency requirements, including the IELTS or TOEFL score required, for admission to their selected New Zealand education institution. It is mandatory for candidates to provide the original copy of their IELTS or TOEFL test result as a pre-condition of placement. Results must be no older than 24 months at the time of the scholarship start date.

In some cases, applicants whose primary to tertiary education has been in English will not normally be required to provide an IELTS or TOEFL test score but are required to provide a letter with their application from the tertiary institution the applicant last attended stating that English is the language of instruction.

Application process and closing dates for applications

NZDS candidates apply directly to one of the participating New Zealand education institutions after ensuring that they meet the New Zealand Scholarship eligibility criteria. The education institution distributes and receives New Zealand Scholarship application forms. In order for the application to be considered, applicants must:

• complete one original New Zealand Development Scholarship Application Form (PDF 204kb);
• indicate the level and field of study required;
• attach to the application form an original or certified copy of the documents necessary to substantiate educational qualifications (i.e. full academic transcripts and completion certificates);
• attach to the application form three references (no more than 24 months old) on official letterhead supporting the application to study in New Zealand. One reference should be from a current employer and one from a former academic supervisor or lecturer;
• ensure the relevant section of the application form has been signed and stamped by their employer; and
• forward the completed original application form and all relevant supporting documentation, plus one photocopy of the completed application form and all relevant supporting documents, to their selected New Zealand education institution.

It is important that all requested supporting documentation is included. All applications must be completed in English, with certified true copies of official English translations (where the original document is not in English) attached to the NZDS application form. Applications with incomplete supporting documents will not be processed.

Closing dates for applications

Applicants must ensure that the institution receives the completed New Zealand Scholarship application form (including all supporting documentation) before the institution’s closing date.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the eligibility criteria above, candidates’ applications will be considered against the following selection criteria:

• the proposed study programme links to one of the identified priority development sectors for Africa (see page 1);
• the applicant clearly demonstrates the developmental relevance and applicability of their proposed study programme to the human resource development training needs of their country;
• applicants for postgraduate study must hold a recognised Bachelors degree of strong academic merit, relevant to the proposed postgraduate qualification. (Note: The New Zealand Aid Programme gives preference to candidates who do not already hold a degree from a developed country);
• the applicant clearly demonstrates their links and commitment to their home country (e.g. services to their community, ability to influence change in a key development sector, etc), supported by references.

The proposed study programme must be relevant to:

• recent paid and/or unpaid (volunteer) work experience ;
• the training needs of the employing organisation;
• identified employment opportunities on completion of their study;
• consideration of gender equity, including efforts to ensure the scholarships are offered equitably between male and female candidates; and
• consideration of other factors which will contribute to the success of their studies (e.g. good character, positive study attitude and motivation to succeed).

Selection Process

Applications received by the participating New Zealand education institution will be assessed for admission to the institution, and checked against the New Zealand Development Scholarship eligibility criteria.  The institution will then send complete applications, for candidates with unconditional offers of place, to the New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria (via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington, New Zealand). The New Zealand High Commission will shortlist eligible applications according to the selection criteria, and shortlisted candidates will subsequently be interviewed (by telephone) by a Pretoria-based panel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will advise the education institutions of the outcome of the New Zealand Scholarship selection round by late September.  Scholarship applicants will be notified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the success of their application and what they should do next.

Additional Information

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as the New Zealand Government attempts to ensure gender equity among scholarship holders.

Scholarships must be taken in the year for which they are offered and cannot be transferred to the next academic year.

If offered a New Zealand Aid Programme scholarship, travel to New Zealand is subject to a visa being issued by Immigration New Zealand. Candidates may be required to provide additional information to assist with immigration requirements. Successful candidates should allow at least two months for their student visa application to be processed.

Information on Scholarship allowances and entitlements, and conditions of the New Zealand Scholarship is provided in the New Zealand Development Scholarships section.

The scholarship will cover air travel, full tuition fees, an establishment allowance, and a living allowance to cover day to day costs in New Zealand.  Applicants may also be entitled to return travel to their home country to see dependant family members under the Reunion Airfare Entitlement.
New Zealand Aid Programme scholarship awardees may work for up to 20 hours in any given week during the academic year and any holidays within the academic year and full-time during the Christmas-New Year holiday period.

The New Zealand Aid Programme does not provide funding for dependants.  However, eligible partners of awardees are now able to apply for open work visas without an offer of employment or written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Applicants must not have applied for New Zealand or Australian permanent residency. Applicants must not seek or apply for permanent residency or a work permit for New Zealand, Australia or any other country while on scholarship.

Note: The New Zealand Aid Programme has the right to make a final decision on the offering of New Zealand Aid Programme’s scholarships. The New Zealand Aid Programme has the right to amend terms and conditions of the New Zealand Aid programme’s scholarships. Amendments will be posted on this website.

Further information

New Zealand Aid Programme Manager
New Zealand High Commission
Private Bag X27
Brooklyn Square
Pretoria 0075
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel:+27-12-435 9000
Email: [email protected]