Malaria Consortium is proud to continue its partnership with the University of Pretoria, South Africa, to continue the Dr Sylvia Meek scholarship for Entomology. This scholarship, established in Sylvia’s honour by Malaria Consortium, will empower a new generation of public health entomologists and malaria staff in Africa and Asia.
University of Pretoria Information
Established in 1908, University of Pretoria is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large city of Pretoria (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, University of Pretoria (UP) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: over-45,000 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of Pretoria (UP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 111 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be citizens of the below-mentioned countries
- Applicants need to have successfully completed an Honours degree or equivalent in Entomology or a related discipline
- Applicants should have good knowledge of English (the language of instruction)
- Applicants should demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, entomology and the control of vector-borne diseases
- Applicants should be no older than 35 at the time of submission
Eligible Countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Offered Benefits
The scholarship for Entomology will cover all tuition fees, a research allowance to the total value of ZAR60,000 (ZAR30,000/year), ZAR 78,000/year for upkeep costs such as accommodation and board, an allowance for travel to South Africa (if non-national) and return home after completion of the programme, and health insurance for the duration of the MSc programme, i.e. a maximum of two calendar years, by which time the students should finish their degree
Application Process
First step
Applicants must prepare in partnership with the potential supervisor(s) a preliminary proposal of no more than 2 pages (including relevant references) for one available research project. The proposal must include a project title, background and justification, objectives, methodology, and budget (no more than ZAR30 000/year over two years) with brief justification.
Applicants must contact the potential supervisor(s) well in advance of the application deadline so that there is time to develop a good proposal.
Second step
Applicants should send an application to Prof. Christopher Weldon at the University of Pretoria (cwweldon@zoology.up.ac.za), including the following documents:
- A cover letter not exceeding one A4 page, addressing the selection criteria, including your educational background and relevant experience, and the area of medical entomology you intend to specialise in on completion of the MSc
- The 2-page preliminary proposal developed in collaboration with the potential supervisor
- Bachelor’s and Honours degree academic transcripts (grade report where the completed courses are listed, including interpretation of grades when not numeric)
- English proficiency test result or any other proof of proficiency in English for applicants from countries where English is not the official language
Please submit these documents no later than 17:00 (Johannesburg time; GMT+2) Monday 8 February 2021.
The University of Pretoria will screen and shortlist applications based on (1) the quality of the cover letter and preliminary proposal and (2) eligibility for the MSc in Entomology programme. The shortlist will be submitted to a scholarship selection panel constituted by Malaria Consortium vector control experts.
Third step
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to send to the scholarship selection panel the following:
- Personal statement written in English of no more than 500 words indicating why you would like to study public health entomology
- Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic references)
Shortlisted applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by Monday 22 February 2021.
Fourth step:
The successful applicant will be invited to submit an online application for the MSc in Entomology programme at the University of Pretoria. Applicants without South African qualifications will first need to have their qualifications verified by the South African Qualifications Authority. An admission letter will be processed, which can then be used by successful non-South African applicants to apply for a study visa in preparation for the start of the 2020 academic year. The successful applicant must be registered and commence the MSc in Entomology programme before 31 March 2021.
Established in 1908, University of Pretoria is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large city of Pretoria (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, University of Pretoria (UP) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: over-45,000 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of Pretoria (UP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 111 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.