The M.Sc Scholarship Programme was launched in Muharram, 1419H (May, 1998G) with an objective to assist IDB Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs) in the development of their human resources especially in science and technology that are both relevant and necessary for their development and specifically:

• To increase the number of intermediate level manpower in the LDMC countries (i.e., the M.Sc graduates) which are necessary for an effective technology development, transfer and maintenance;

• To increase access for their students to the educational opportunities available under the IDB initiatives in human resource development (HRD) for member countries by creating a special programme suited to their circumstances and needs;
• To enhance the ability of their students to participate in the existing IDB programme in science and technology such as the IDB Merit Scholarship Programme for High technology.

The Programme offers scholarships leading to an M.Sc degree (in 2 years) in science and technology to students from folowing countries: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros Island, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.

A total of 190 scholars will be trained in science and technology at the rate of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 50 annually for five years on a budget of US$ 2,176,500. The first Academic Year (1418/1998-99) was launched in April, 1998. So far, 120 students have benefited from this programme and 90 students have been placed in institutions within IDB member countries such as Burkina Faso, Egypt, Mali, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal, Tunisia, Turkey Uganda and Yemen.

The M.Sc study (depending on the Universities ), may be through course work, research only or a combination of both. Whichever the mode, it must be completed within the specified two-year time frame and there is no possibility of extension with the IDB funding.

Without prejudice to or disregard for other equally important fields of study, under the M.Sc Scholarship programme, eligible students may apply only for studies in Science, Engineering, Technology and Medicine/Medical Sciences.

The institutions listed under the Programme are those that have expressed willingness to accept IDB students with minimum tuition charges, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, University Mohammed V (Morocco), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (pakistan) and Middle East Technical University (Turkey), from where interested and/or applying students are encouraged to seek pre-admission or firm admission to facilitate quick placement.

Other institutions of study from member countries not on the list may be considered if their superiority can be substantiated (based on research/teaching staff, faculties and facilities) as being the best in the fields of study proposed by the candidates.

The list of institutions of study offering the areas of study covered under the Programme is available at the Offices of the IDB Governors for the member countries concerned, the designated focal/contact points for the Programme and the Office of the Scholarship Programme, IDB.

The Programme is formally announced (through the Offices of IDB Governors concerned) in January, for September intake.

As the sole channel of announcement and application for the Programme, the Offices of the IDB Governors are expected to announce the Programme as widely as possible and to disseminate information and Application Forms to relevant educational, scientific and research institutions and interested students in the country and pre-process the applications received to ensure eligibility and complete and proper documentation.

The implementation of the Programme follows the following cycle:

If the turn-out is low, the announcement packages are sent out again in June, for January intake. The announcement packages are also sent to educational and research institutions in member countries concerned

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