Call for Applications for full Undergraduate Scholarships under Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda

Introduction

Applications for the 3rd Cohort of Undergraduate Mastercard Foundation Scholarships – Academic year 2024 is open up until 19^th March, 2024. In this full guide we will explain everything you need to know about mastercard at university of Rwanda, we will explain eligibility requirements; selection criteria, application process and links used to apply and much more.

The program focuses on women pursuing Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), young people with disabilities (YWD), and refugees and displaced youth. It intends to strengthen the UR capability and mobilization for inclusive and supportive tertiary education pathways to dignified work.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda Scholarship summary

• Host Country: Rwanda
• University: University of Rwanda
• Category: Undergraduate Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: African students of all races, colors, or descent, with limited access to opportunities.
• Reward: full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend
• Deadline: March 19, 2024
• Requirements: Must be applied to University of Rwanda.
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The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda is committed to developing Africa’s next generation of transformative leaders and aims to drive and support transformation at three levels: individual (Scholars), institutional (the University), and system (higher education ecosystem and beyond).

The program is recruiting scholars in selected undergraduate programs for the academic year 2024. Interested applicants will undertake their academic training at the University of Rwanda in its 6 Colleges (CST, CMHS, CAVM, CBE, CE and CASS) operating on 6 Campuses (Nyarugenge, Gikondo, Remera, Huye, Rukara and Busogo). (see UR campuses)

Eligible applicants

This scholarship opportunity is open to African students of all races, colors, or descent, with limited access to opportunities. The applicants will have to be admitted into one of the above eligible programs at the University of Rwanda (see eligible programs). Selected applicants with other scholarships of any kind, must be willing to discontinue other scholarships. Anyone with a double scholarship will automatically be discontinued once found. Continuing students are not eligible.

Selection criteria

• Be a citizen of Rwanda to benefit from the national scholarship quota.
• Be a citizen of any African country, a refugee, or displaced youth in Africa.
• Academically qualified, from with limited access to opportunities.
• Not above 28 years at the time of application, and not above 30 years for those with certified proof of protracted life condition (refugees, single mothers, in child-headed family, etc).
• Meeting admission criteria to eligible programs at the University of Rwanda. (see the admission criteria)
• Must have generated a UR Reference number and has submitted an application for admission to UR in one of the earmarked programs (refer to the list of Eligible Programs here).

See how to apply at the university of rwanda

• Must demonstrate commitment to leadership and proof of community engagement (give back) and/or transformation initiatives.
• Refugees and those with disabilities are expected to provide legal proofs of their status (From UNHCR or NCPD respectively, or any other duly recognized organization).

Nature of The Scholarship

This is a comprehensive scholarship that will be managed by the University of Rwanda. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda also offers an opportunity for the scholars to receive holistic training that empowers them and lead them to the academic success, community engagement and transition to employment opportunities which will equip the scholars to be global citizens.

The scholarship will cover:

• Comprehensive financial support (full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend.
• Psycho-social Support Services.
• Uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development.
• Continued academic support through academic mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring.
• Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development, and Enterprise Development, among others)
• Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus on personal and professional development opportunities and activities tailored to build societal relationships and scholars’ capacity.
• Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring (Go-back Give- Back),
• The prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.

Considering the level of investment, successful applicants will be required to be high achievers, highly engaging and focused scholars, able to give back and make changes in their respective communities and Africa in general.

Application Process

• A general application form must be filled online
• Refugee applicants are requested to complete another link.
• Before completing the online application form, please read through all instructions, and required information. The link to access the empty form will be seen after opening the application link above.
• Applicants can fill the online application form in more than one session, however, it is recommended that you start the application when you have all the supporting documents in place.
• The application will be considered only after submission and all steps below are completed:

1. The application form and processes are fully completed.
2. All required documents are attached (Please make sure you name each document attached with your names and reference number during the initial application to UR, then ensure that the documents are saved in PDF format (with size less than 250 kb)
3. Click Submit at the end of the online application, only when all the fields and attachments have been fully completed.
4. Youth with disabilities, Refugees and/or displaced youth are required to fill the additional declaration form available on the links on the online application form. Fill it online and submit it alongside the main application form as required.
5. All applicants are required to upload all supporting documents as required, prior to final submission (Note that once the application is submitted, all application fields are closed and cannot be repeated)

Application Deadline & Support Team contact details

Eligible candidates can start the online application for Mastercard Foundation scholarships while gathering the supporting documents.

The deadline for the application for the Mastercard Foundation scholarships: On 19th March 2024 at 11:59 P.M (CENTRAL AFRICA TIME).

During the application period, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR Scholarship application support team will be available to provide any needed information.

The following are contact details of the heads of application support team:

Mr Kamanzi Emmanuel |Tel: +250 788736530 UR admission and Registration Specialist

Email: admissionsur2024@gmail.com

Dr. Odette Uwizeye: Registrar of University of Rwanda | Tel:+250 788 304 391

Mr Yabagenga Benjamin | Tel: +250 788485618 UR Database Administrator

Prof. Evariste Karangwa:

Lead-Recruit-Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR | Tel: +250 739 140 377 | Email: mcfsp.ur@gmail.com

Additional information

• Telephone numbers and email addresses provided by applicants should be always active to receive critical information on their application.
• The application for the scholarship is a staggered ongoing process.
• The pre-selected applicants will be invited for an oral interview by independent panels and at each stage, only successful candidates will be notified.
• There would be unannounced on-site validation visits to the home of selected students.
• There are absolutely No Charges/Fees/ Facilitation/Agents or Intermediaries Required at any stage of the application process.
• Applicants who will be discovered to have falsified information or attempt to influence the process at any stage (application or home visit) to gain advantage of the scholarship shall be disqualified.
• The decisions of the Selection Committee are Final after the SRC has handled and responded to all applicants’ appeals if any.
• Successful applicants will be expected to become champions and transformative leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers at various levels and shall remain in close communication with the University of Rwanda for at least 5 years after completing their studies.
• Any misconduct (breaching university rules, regulations and policies including participation in riotous acts, involvement in subversive activities, illicit financial activities, terrorism, denial of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi or propagation of Genocide ideologies) on the part of the successful applicants shall lead to automatic disqualification and loss of the scholarship.
• All scholarships will be on a rolling basis, implying that annual renewal of funding is subject to satisfactory academic performance for all scholars.

Evaluative interviews

• Among the applicants, 165 scholars will be selected by the Recruitment committee (SRC) based on the established selection criteria in section 4 above.
• Interviews will be conducted using a predefined interview guide aligned with the expectations of the program and the vision of the institution.
• Applicants shall receive equal treatment especially concerning interview questions asked.

Declaration of results

The approved list of selected candidates for the scholarship will be published on the UR website. Scholarship award letters will be issued to successful candidates.

Award letters will be issued by the UR Vice Chancellor’s office.

Confirmation of the scholarship award by candidates

Successful candidates shall receive a scholarship award letter together with a scholarship acceptance form that must be completed and signed by the candidate to confirm acceptance of the scholarship.

Successful candidates’ parents/guardians shall be required to complete and sign a commitment form to confirm acceptance of support to the scholars.

Duly completed and signed forms shall be returned via the program email within five workdays after reception of the scholarship award letter.

In case a candidate declines the offer for any reason, the next in line of performance will be awarded the scholarship.

A scholarship offer cannot at any time be differed.