Makerere University/University of Bergen (UiB) Norway PhD Scholarships 2021

Call for Applications for 5 PhD Scholarships Tenable at Makerere University in collaboration with University of Bergen (UiB)-Norway under Norhed II Project ‘Mathematics for Sustainable Development-2021-2026’

When is the Application Deadline:

20^th September 2021

Tell Me About Award:

The Norhed II supported project 2021-2026, is announcing a total of five scholarships for PhD students to conduct their studies at Makerere University.

Three of the five scholarships will be offered in the area of Applied Mathematics and two in Mathematics Education. The training of the five PhD students will take place at Makerere University with possible short supervision visits to the University of Bergen or University of Dar es salaam depending on the supervision needs for a particular PhD student. We invite interested candidates to apply for the said PhD scholarships. The PhD training is expected to commence in October 2021 and will be supported for a period of four years on full-time basis. Applicants who are already admitted at Makerere University and still in their first year of PhD studies in the project’s areas of focus will also be considered. The training is preferably by coursework and dissertation on the existing PhD curricula in Mathematics and Mathematics Education at Makerere University. Some Makerere, Regional, Norwegian and University of Dar es Salaam staff will be involved in the teaching and supervision of the PhD students.

What Type of Scholarship is this?

PhD

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for the THREE students for Applied Mathematics Area

The applicant must

• Be holding at least a Master’s degree in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (or equivalent);
• Be a Ugandan citizen, preferably not above 45 years at the time of the closing date of receiving the applications.
• Be able to stay in Norway or University of Dar es salaam for a period of at most three months a year for supervision when need arises;
• Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and work independently and also be able to work in a team of researchers from Uganda, Tanzania and Norway.
• Take on a PhD research project in any of the three areas; Data Science, Computational Mathematics or Mathematical applications in medicine. For details of some of the possible PhD research areas of focus for this project, contact the project Coordinator/PI- Assoc. Prof John Mango Magero (jmango1966[at]gmail.com) at the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University.

Eligibility for the TWO students for Mathematics Education Area

The applicant must

• Be holding at least a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education (or equivalent);
• Be a Ugandan citizen, preferably not above 45 years at the time of the closing date of receiving the applications
• Be able to stay in Norway or University of Dar es salaam for a period of at most three months a year for supervision when need arises;
• Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and work independently and also be able to work in a team of researchers from Uganda, Tanzania and Norway.
• Take on a PhD research project in Mathematics Education for secondary level. The topic could be within e-learning, problem-based learning, gifted education, classroom dialogue, assessment, and other related areas. For details, contact the project Coordinator/PI-Assoc. Prof John Mango Magero (jmango1966@gmail.com) at the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University or Dr. Mayende Godfrey and Dr Batiibwe Marjorie of the college of Education and External Studies.

How are Applicants Selected?

The applications shall be vetted by a panel comprising of some academic staff (including head) from the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University, Collaborators from College of Education and External Studies (CEES),Collaborators from Norway, PIs of the project at Makerere, Dar es Salaam and University of Bergen. A representative from Uganda Mathematical Society might be part of the panel. Evidence of already having a teaching position at University will be an added advantage.

How Many Scholarships will be Given?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of Scholarship?

 The training of the five PhD students will take place at Makerere University with possible short supervision visits to the University of Bergen or University of Dar es salaam depending on the supervision needs for a particular PhD student. 

How Long will the Program Last?

We invite interested candidates to apply for the said PhD scholarships. The PhD training is expected to commence in October 2021 and will be supported for a period of four years on full-time basis.

How to Apply for Scholarship:

Interested applicants should submit the following sets of documents:

• An application letter for scholarship for PhD studentship;
• A current CV (maximum five pages), which includes a detailed description of previous education at university level (all courses and grades) and a description of current research interests in line with the stated project areas of focus;
• A copy of the Current Identity Card, National Identity Card or passport;
• Three recent passport photos;
• A certified copy of the applicant’s Master’s degree/diploma;
• A softcopy of the applicant’s Master’s thesis;
• A research concept note of maximum 5 pages (guidelines given below);
•  At least two recommendation letters from your academic referees. The referee letters to be sent together with the application

The Concept Note must include:

• A description of the applicant’s research interests in Applied Mathematics or Mathematics Education;
• A description of the applicant’s background in this area/these areas;
• A discussion on the applicant’s motivation for conducting PhD studies;
•  A discussion on what outputs the applicant expects to realize through the PhD studies.

1. Electronic submission of application for scholarship with supporting documents should be sent to the PI of the project at Makerere, Prof J M Mango on email jmango1966[at]gmail.com

-Copy, Overall Coordinator of Norhed II projects at Mak 2021-2026; Email: mbuyinza[at]mak.ac.ug;

-Copy, PI University of Bergen-Norway,   Guttorm.Alendal[at]uib.no

-Copy, Head, Department of Mathematics, Makerere University, hod.math[at]mak.ac.ug

2. No hardcopies of the application documents will be required given the prevailing covid-19 situation.
3. Application submission deadline is Monday 20^th September 2021and interviews (where applicable) will be conducted at an appropriate date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Admission for PhD at Makerere University:

The admission for PhD in Mathematics or Mathematics Education is independent of the scholarship award and hence follows the existing admission processes/regulations to the mandated units/programmes at Makerere University. Successful candidates for the scholarship, if they do not have admission to Makerere already, they are encouraged to follow Makerere University PhD application procedure and secure admission to Makerere University before commencement of the PhD training in October 2021.

Visit Award Webpage for Details