The Kader Asmal Fellowship Program enables early to mid-career professionals from eligible countries, with leadership potential, to benefit from a prestigious, world-class, quality education contributing to capacity building. It offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level programme at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs. Eligible master’s level programmes in Ireland commence in August or September each year and, depending on the programme, will run for between 10 and 16 months. The aims of the Programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals; and to build positive relationships with Ireland.
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa offered to South African students. The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is targeted at early career professionals in South Africa with leadership potential. The scholarship broadly supports leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals, and supporting the development of women’s leadership capacity and women’s participation in STEM are key priorities. In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme aims to support students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue Master’s level education in Ireland, and graduates of Universities of Historical Disadvantage and Universities of Technology in particular are encouraged to apply.
The Kader Asmal Fellowship Program is a prestigious scholarship initiative aimed at fostering educational and professional development among talented individuals from South Africa. Named in honor of the late Professor Kader Asmal, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, educator, and politician, the fellowship is designed to provide South African students with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in Ireland. The program seeks to honor Asmal’s legacy by promoting academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to social justice.
Administered by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa and the Canon Collins Educational & Legal Assistance Trust, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Program offers fully funded scholarships for master’s degree programs in various fields, including law, human rights, business, engineering, and environmental science. These fields are strategically chosen to align with South Africa’s development priorities and to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute effectively to their country’s socio-economic progress.
The fellowship covers all essential costs, including tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and a living stipend, ensuring that recipients can focus entirely on their studies without financial worries. In addition to academic funding, the program provides comprehensive support services, including pre-departure orientations and ongoing pastoral care during the students’ time in Ireland. This holistic support system is designed to help fellows adapt to their new environment, maximize their academic potential, and build lasting networks with peers and professionals.
Eligible Countries: South Africa
Eligible Courses:
Eligible courses are in areas such as agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more, and are listed in a Directory of Eligible Programmes.
Eligibility Criteria For The Kader Asmal Fellowship Program
To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Kader Asmal award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2024, applicants must:
- Be a resident national of South Africa.
- Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
- Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) – i.e. a first class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2012 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
- Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher, or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2024/24.
- Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2024.
- Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
- Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
- Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
- Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
- Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2024/2025.
The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme.
Benefits
- The award covers programme fees, flights, accommodation and living costs.
Application Deadline: July 30, 2024.
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