Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Master'sand Doctorate Scholarships in Sustainable Development

The opportunity
Students from developing Asian nations are offered the chance topursue their master's or doctoral studies in fields relating tosustainable development at one of Asia 's leading postgraduateinstitutions.

The scholarships
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asian Institute ofTechnology have partnered to offer a program called "Education forSustainable Development" from 2006 to 2009. Master's and doctoralscholarships will be provided to students from countries in South andSoutheast Asia – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Nepal, Pakistan,Sri Lanka and Vietnam – the Mekong region low-income countries of LaoPDR and Cambodia, as well as other less developed countries in Asia.

The scholarships cover degree programs in fields relevant tosustainable environment, human rights and gender, and povertyalleviation. The core idea of the scholarships is to support Norwegianprogram countries in Asia with emphasis on sustainable development forenhancing institutional capacity building.

Details

• Scholarship recipients will be selected according to AIT's admission criteria, rules and regulations to ensure that the most suitable candidates are admitted based on an assessment of the needs of the nominating agencies in the Norwegian program countries.
• At least half of the scholarships will be offered to women candidates.
• Priority will be given to candidates nominated by project partners in the Norwegian MFA-AIT program countries.
• After successful completion of graduate studies and professional training in AIT, the scholarship recipients are obliged to return to their home countries for strengthening institutional capacities and contributing in building sustainable societies.
• Recipients are required to conduct thesis research on topics relevant to their respective home country's development needs incorporating gender, environment and sustainable development concerns.
• Scholarships provide grants for conducting thesis research.
• Both traditional and flexible master's programs are available. The flexible master's program enables students to pursue their studies while carrying out professional duties in their home countries. Preference will be given to staff of public sector agencies, government departments, training institutions and universities.
• Doctoral scholarships are available only to candidates from teaching and research institutions including national universities on the broad theme of sustainable development as a part of the institutional capacity-building process in the program countries. Applicants must provide a relevant research proposal and nomination from their employer as well as demonstrate a strong academic background and experience.

Focus areas
Applicants may apply to any field of study at AIT, but the program ofstudy must be designed to focus on issues related to povertyalleviation, energy and sustainable environment, natural resourcesmanagement, human rights and gender.

A number of scholarships are reserved for students pursuing degrees inRural and Regional Development Studies, Natural Resources Management,Gender and Development Studies, Energy, and Agricultural and SystemsEngineering.

Entry requirements
Applicants must adhere to AIT's admissions requirements, proceduresand policies.
To learn more, click here: http://www.ait.ac.th/apply/requirements

Deadlines
January semester: 15 October
August semester: 15 March

Note: Applicants who require early offer of admission or who have visaor passport restrictions, are encouraged to submit applications atleast three months before the deadlines.

You may apply online or download application forms at:http://www.ait.ac.th/apply

You may also receive the application package by mail for a nominalapplication processing fee of US$25. Please contact:

Admissions and Scholarships Unit
Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4 , Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120 , Thailand
Phone: (662) 5245031-5033
Fax: (662) 524-6326
E-mail: admissions@ait.ac.th
Web site: www.ait.ac.th