INTRODUCTION

The role of science, technology and innovation, as essential tools for Africa’s socio-economic transformation cannot been overemphasized, and this is the bedrock of the ASRIC-UEMF partnership which birthed the ASRIC-UEMF PhD scholarship scheme.

The African Scientific, Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) is a special advisory body to the African Union mandated to implement the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) and to promote scientific research and innovation in order to address the challenges of Africa’s socio-economic development. It also mobilizes African research excellence and provides a platform for dialogue among African scientists and serves as a voice of the scientific community in building and sustaining continental research and innovation nexus, that including the building requisite technical capabilities. ASRIC was launched in 2018 and the African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC) is the Secretariat of the ASRIC.

On the other hand, the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF), was created in November 2012 and labelled by the Union for the Mediterranean (a union of 43 country members). UEMF is a University of a regional character and is located in the iconic city of Fes, which houses one of the oldest still-functioning universities in the world, “Al Karaouiyine”. The University was created with aim to promote the values of leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and solidarity, in furtherance, UEMF is a growing centre of excellence in higher education and research with more than one and half thousand students, 46% of which are scholarship recipients.

In 2019, these two prestigious institutions entered into a strategic partnership for Capacity Building for Africa’s youths and to enhance research and innovation for Africa’s development. Considering the comparative advantage and the common mandate of ASRIC and UEMF “building Africa’s technical competences” the two institutions decided to engage on a long-term scientific collaboration and as of that the UEMF offered Scholarship for African Ph.D. students to undertake studies and research work at UEMF.

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Call for PhD scholarships for African students was successfully held, where eligible candidates passed through a rigorous screening and were awarded the scholarship. In furtherance to the success of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Call, the ASRIC and UEMF are hereby launching the 5th Call for the year 2024.

The Call

The ASRIC and UEMF offer 10 scholarship slots for African PhD students to carry out their doctoral research work at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF), Morocco. The duration of the study and that of the scholarship is three years.

The scholarship includes; tuition fees of about $9,000 annually, one return ticket from your home country with a maximum contribution of $1,000 during summer vacation, and stipend allowance of $1,000 monthly for 11 months every year.

FIELD OF STUDY

The candidate MUST be ready to undertake a research in the following areas:

•   a. Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security;
•   b. Chemistry, Functional Materials and Additive Manufacturing;
•   c. Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen and Power-to-X;
•   d. Robotics, Cobotics and Sensors (4.0);
•   e. Bio-Agro and Biomedical;
•   f. Engineering and Health Sciences;
•   g. Water Desalination and Water Treatment.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT

•   • Must be national of the one of the African Union Member State;
•   • Applicants must be less than 35years of age at the end date of this call;
•   • Must have Master’s Degree (in science or engineering), Diploma or Engineering Diploma or any other equivalent diploma (baccalaureate + 5); and
•   • The candidate must demonstrate remarkable ability and devotion along with experiences in conducting research in the selected field of study.

APPLICATION FORM

The application form to this call should be completed and submitted before the deadline of the call. The following also to be attached to the application form (Download Application Form HERE):

•   a. An updated CV;
•   b. A certified copy of the baccalaureate;
•   c. A certified copy of the master's diploma or the engineering diploma or any other equivalent diploma (Bac + 5);
•   d. A copy certified transcript(s) of all university-level coursework completed corresponding to the diploma or masters;
•   e. A copy of the Master (or equivalent) thesis or dissertation;
•   f. A certified copy of the international passport.
•   g. 2 personal passport size photographs

All application and supporting documents should be submitted to the ASRIC Secretariat by email to asricscholarship2024@yahoo.com before the call deadline with the subject "ASRIC scholarships 2024-2025"

For any further inquiries, contact:

African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission
Plot 114 Yakubu Gowon Crescent,
Abuja, Nigeria
Email: asricscholarship2024@yahoo.com
Telephone: +234 806 589 1643

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION

The call will be ended on the 5th July, 2024 at 17.00 hours (GMT+0) Rabat Local time. Any application that is received after the deadline will be rejected.