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OAS – UPEACE Scholarship Opportunities OAS Partnerships Programmes for Education and Training Master programmes of the University for Peace Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica The Organization of American States (OAS) and the University for Peace (UPEACE), through the OAS Partnerships Programmes for Education and Training (PAEC), have decided to support outstanding individuals of the Americas by offering scholarships to further their education through the following Master’s programmes: On‐site • Environmental Security and Governance. • Environmental Security and Governance ‐ Specialization in Climate Change and Security (CCS). • Gender and Peace Building. • International Law and Human Rights. • International Law and the Settlement of Disputes. • International Peace Studies. • Media, Peace and Conflict Studies. • Sustainable Natural Resource Management. • Peace Education. • Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development. • Sustainable Urban Governance and Peace. Scholarships for on‐site MA programmes cover either 50% or 100% of tuition costs. Online • Sustainable Peace in the Contemporary World. Scholarships for this online MA programme cover either 40% or 60% of tuition costs.online 1 In order to apply for the OAS/UPEACE Scholarship, applicants must first be admitted to the programme 2 . 1 For additional information see Section II “ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP”
For eligibility requirements please see Section II “ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP”
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Programme AdmissionsDeadlines: Scholarship Application Deadlines: Programme Start Dates: On‐site Programmes: May 31st, 2013 On‐site Programmes: June 14th, 2013 On‐site Programmes: August 12th, 2013 Online Programme: July 12th, 2013 Online Programmes: July 26th, 2013 Online Programmes: September 2nd, 2013 About UPEACE and OAS Initiatives Headquartered in Costa Rica, the United Nations‐mandated University for Peace was established in December 1980 as a Treaty Organization by the UN General Assembly. As determined in the Charter of the University, the mission of the University for Peace is: “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations.”3 The wider mission of the University should be seen in the context of the worldwide peace and security objectives of the United Nations. Having a focus and a global perspective is vital for UPEACE to develop successful projects. Thus, the international organization, UPEACE creates opportunities for people developing their careers, to foster an international vocation which is of vital importance for human rights and social development. The OAS, through its Department of Human Development, Education and Culture (DHDEC) supports its Member States in creating and implementing programmes that promote human development in all levels of education. The DHDEC strengthens democratic values and security under the framework of regional integration by promoting training opportunities for citizens in order to support the efforts of Member States to improve quality and equity in education. The DHDEC facilitates strategic alliances to promote regional integration and the development of human capacity in an effort to promote quality education, the growth of knowledge‐based societies and decent work for all citizens of the hemisphere. I. ABOUT THE STUDY PROGRAMMES 1. Applicants’ Profile: Academically outstanding individuals of the Americas interested in contributing to the development of their country upon completion of their studies. 2. Study Venue/ Modality: On‐site in El Rodeo, San José, Costa Rica and Online, depending on the programmes. 3. Programmes Duration: 1 year on‐site or 1 and half years online 4. Language of Instruction: English 3 http://www.upeace.org/about/ 5. Programmes Start dates: o On‐site Programmes: Classes begin on August 12th, 2013 o Online Programmes Classes begin on September 2nd, 2013 6. Scholarship Retention Requirement: Exhibit appropriate academic and personal behavior and maintain an 8.0 average or above per semester. 7. Application for Admission to the Programmes of Study: Before applying for admission to your programmes of interest, please read the complete description to ensure that the area of study meets your academic and professional objectives. 8. Deadline for Admission to the Programmes: o On‐site Programmes: May 31st, 2013 o Online Programme: July 12th, 2013 For more information about the admissions process for the on‐site programmes, please visit the UPEACE website: http://www.upeace.org/admissions/general.cfm For more information about the admissions process for the online programme, please visit the UPEACE website: http://www.elearning.upeace.org/ma_application.cfm Please make sure to review the information in your application before submitting it. Questions about the application process please contact the UPEACE Admissions Unit through email: [email protected] or phone: (506) 2205‐9065/2205‐9070/2205‐9088 II.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP 1. Benefits: 1.1. On‐site programmes: Four (4) scholarships covering 100% of tuition costs will be granted to the top 4 candidates selected. Also, an undetermined number of scholarships covering 50% of tuition costs will be granted to candidates that fulfill the admission requirements specified in this announcement. 1.2. Online programme: Four (4) scholarships covering 60% of the total cost of the programme and an undetermined number of scholarships covering 40% of the total cost of the programme. 2. Financial responsibilities of the student: 2.1. On‐site programmes: To be able to participate in the selected programme, students receiving 100% tuition waivers will be responsible for covering travel expenses, living expenses, legalization of documents, visa arrangements, and any additional costs or expenses incurred that are not covered by the scholarship. The student is also responsible for the USD$ 2,700 fee that covers graduation expenses, costs of local transportation to campus, permanent temporary residence fee and government fees. Students receiving 50% tuition waivers will be responsible for covering the remaining amount of tuition (USD$ 12,250) travel expenses, living expenses, legalization of documents, visa arrangements, and any additional costs or expenses incurred that are not covered by the scholarship. The student is also responsible for the USD$ 2,700 fee that covers graduation expenses, costs of local transportation to campus, permanent temporary residence fee and government fees. 2.2. Online programme: The student will be responsible for covering the remaining percentage of 40% (US$ 6,000) and 60% (US$ 9,000) for waivers of 60% and 40% respectively, of the total cost and any additional costs or expenses not covered by the scholarship. Total cost of the programme in U.S. Dollars On‐Site Programm
es Online Programm
e Tuition $ 24,550 + other fees $2,700* Total cost: $ 27,250 Total cost: $ 15,000 Costs of the programme to be covered by the student in U.S. Dollars With 100% of scholarship on the tuition Tuition ($ 0.00) + other fees($2,700)* Total cost: $2,700 With 50% of scholarship on tuition Tuition ($ 12.275) + other fees ($2,700)* Total cost: $14,975 With 60% of scholarship With 40% of scholarship Total cost: $6,000 Total cost: $9,000 * Other fees include: graduation expenses, costs of local transportation to campus, permanent temporary residence fee and government fees 3
Scholarship Application Process: Scholarship applicants must complete the scholarship application and submit it online before: • On‐site Programmes: June 14th, 2013 • Online Programme: July 26th, 2013 3.1. Applicants must complete and submit the OAS Scholarship Application Form together with the required documents that are listed below in PDF format. Once you have completed the online application process, you will receive an email confirming your registration and with an attached PDF copy of your form. Please forward this e‐mail confirmation to UPEACE to the following e‐mail address: [email protected] for on‐site programmes and [email protected] for the online MA programme. Take into account that the OAS online application form requires the following two essays, which are to be written in the English language. Each essay must contain a minimum of 800 characters (not words) and a maximum of 2900 characters, including spaces. Essay 1: Describe how the programme of study will directly impact your career and improve your professional skills for your current job or future job. Essay 2: The OAS scholarships require scholars to return or remain in their country of citizenship or permanent residence upon completion of their studies for a minimum time period equal to the duration of the scholarship. Please indicate in a 5‐year plan, how you intend to apply the acquired knowledge and experience to contribute to the development of your country and region. Also, please indicate the reasons for applying to this scholarship, financial need and how you will cover the additional costs not included in this scholarship. 3.2. Before you submit your application, please ensure you have included the following documents, scanned and uploaded in one (1) single PDF file (5MB). Otherwise, your application will not be considered: 3.2.1. Copy of identification document (birth certificate, citizenship document, passport or national identity card). 3.2.2. Letter of admission to the study programme you are applying to, or confirmation that the admission process to the University for Peace has already begun (you can include the application confirmation number, ID number of the application, or the e‐mail confirmation from the university affirming that your application was successfully received). 3.2.3. Curriculum Vitae (no more than 4 pages). 3.2.4. Diploma(s), degree(s), or certificate(s) of concluded studies that certify compliance with all academic requirements, including approval of final papers, if applicable. 3.2.5. Copy of transcript(s) of the latest degree or qualification obtained (Undergraduate, Master’s or Doctorate). 3.2.6. A letter of recommendation from a professor or most recent employer that includes the letterhead of the University/Institution, the Professor’s/Employer’s position within the institution, date, and signature. 3.2.7. Document/Certificate demonstrating proficiency in the language of study, if applicable. The official scholarship results will be announced after June 28th, 2013 (on‐site Master’s Programmes) and after August 9th, 2013 (online Master’s Programme) on our website: www.oas.org/scholarships 4. Eligibility Requirements: 4.1. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, the candidate must have completed the admission process to the programme and must have received admission to the study programme. 4.2. To be eligible, candidates must be nationals and/or permanent legal residents of any of the OAS Member States. 4.3. Applicants who are staff members of the General Secretariat or under performance contracts with the General Secretariat, staff members of the permanent missions to the OAS, and their relatives are not eligible for OAS scholarships. 5. Scholarship selection criteria: 5.1. The overall academic and professional merit of the candidate. 5.2. The candidate’s potential impact on society upon completion of the course of study and motivation to return to the country of origin. 5.3. An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all Member States that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies. 5.4. The economic need of the applicant as specified in the essays. 6. Responsibilities of the Scholarship Recipients: 6.1. Selected candidates must sign the completed “Acceptance of the Scholarship Award Form” and return it to the DHDEC by email (Luis Benítez [email protected] and Luciana Pereira [email protected]), refrain from activities that are inconsistent with the status of an OAS scholarship recipient and abide by all regulations set out in the form. 6.2. Comply with the above‐mentioned provisions set forth in the Financial Responsibilities of the Scholarship Recipient (Section II.2). 6.3. Comply with all the academic guidelines and admission requirements requested by UPEACE and submit to the updates of these guidelines and requirements made by the academic authorities at UPEACE. 6.4. The scholarship recipient must obtain a GPA equivalent to or higher than 8.0 per academic term, and must not fail any subjects. 6.5. If the recipient is accepted to the on‐site programme, he/she must obtain the necessary visa(s) to travel to Costa Rica and cover any related costs. (The student may contact UPEACE for guidance in this regard). 6.6. The scholarship may be declined by the scholarship recipient before the start of the programme of study without financial penalties. However, if the scholarship recipient declines the scholarship after the start of the study programme, without a compelling proof or reason, the scholarship recipient shall reimburse the total amount of the scholarship costs to the OAS or to UPEACE, and any monies disbursed up until the declination. In addition, the scholarship recipient shall inform the DHDEC if he/she cannot begin the study programme at least one week before the programme’s start date. In this way the scholarship may be offered to the next candidate in the order of merit. 6.7. Students who benefit from these grants must agree to return to work in one of the OAS Member States or at an international organization for a minimum time period equal to the duration of the scholarship. The beneficiary must return to UPEACE the total value of the endowment granted if he/she fails to comply with these commitments (including point 6.4 above).