FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ)

What is the objective of the Intra-ACP programme?

The objective of the programme is to promote sustainable development and poverty alleviation by increasing the availability of trained and qualified high-level professional manpower in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The programme aims to strengthen co-operation between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the African, Caribbean and Pacific region in view of increasing access to quality education that will encourage and enable African, Caribbean and Pacific students to undertake postgraduate studies, and to promote student retention in the region along with mobility of staff (academic and administrative) while increasing competitiveness and attractiveness of the institutions themselves. More specifically the programme aims to: (a) provide access to higher education for students including those from disadvantaged groups; (b) facilitate cooperation on recognition of studies and qualifications; (c) contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education through the promotion of internationalisation, and harmonisation of programmes and curricula within participating institutions; (d) enhance the international cooperation capacity of Higher Education Institutions in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries; (e) promote cooperation between sending and host institutions; (f) enable students, academics and staff to benefit linguistically, culturally and professionally from the experience gained in the context of mobility to another country; (g) enhance, in the medium-term, the political, cultural, educational and economical links between the participating countries.

What is P4HPT?

The Partnering for Health Professionals Training in African Universities (P4HPT) is a partnership of eleven (11) higher education institutions (full partners) and 2 associate partners. The partnership aims at building capacity of health professionals through the provision of doctoral (PhD) and Masters training to 47 Masters Students, 18 doctoral students and 8 staff members in Africa. The programme focuses on medical and health sciences.

Who are the partners involved in this partnership?

The higher education institution partners are;

1.   University of Ghana, Ghana (Coordinating Institution)

2.   Makerere University, Uganda;

3.   Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda;

4.   Stellenbosch University, South Africa;

5.   University of Nairobi, Kenya;

6.   Moi University, Kenya,

7.   Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique;

8.   University of Burundi, Burundi;

9.   University of Juba, South Sudan;

10. University of Lesotho, Lesotho,

      11. Universite Catholique De Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Please refer to the following link for information on the partnership (http://www.ug.edu.gh/p4hpt/partners)

Who is funding this project?

The P4HPT project is being carried out through the support of the Intra-ACP Mobility Scheme of the European Commission working through the African Union, the funds for this mobility scheme are being disbursed.

What is the project duration?

This is a five year project. It started in 2013 and will end in 2018. The Consortium has been given a one year no-cost extension hence the current project end date is in October, 2019. The Consortium is not permitted to commit any funds after October, 2019.

What is a Target Groups?

A target group is a group of students/academic staff having the same characteristics regarding the institution/country of origin. Mobility flows are organised taking into consideration the target groups and the country of origin of the individuals concerned. There are 2 target groups; Target Group 1 (TG1) and Target Group 2 (TG2).

Which Target group do I belong?

•     Target group 1 (TG1):

These are nationals and/or residents registered/admitted in one of the HEIs that is a member of the Partnership or having obtained a degree by one of these HEIs. The mobility flow is therefore inside the partnership, from one partner HEI towards a partner HEI of a different country. Mobility is only possible to a HEI in a different country.

Target group 1 applicants must be nationals and/or residents in one of the following countries – Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, Lesotho and be registered/admitted or obtained a degree from any one of the following institutions; University of Ghana, Ghana; Makerere University, Uganda; Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; University of Nairobi, Kenya; Moi University, Kenya; Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique; University of Burundi, Burundi; University of Juba, South Sudan; National University of Lesotho, Lesotho and Universite Catholique De Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

•     Target Group 2 (TG2):

These are nationals and/or residents registered/admitted in a HEI (not included in the partnership) of a country of the lot or having obtained a HEI degree (or equivalent) by an institution of a country concerned by the lot.  The mobility flow is therefore from outside the partnership towards a partner HEI.

For this partnership, TG2 applicants must be nationals and/or residents in one of the following countries; 

How do I know if I am eligible to apply as a student?

To be eligible for the Scholarship, masters and doctoral students must:

1. be a national and/or resident of any of the eligible countries
2. Target group 1 students must be registered or admitted to one of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) comprising the partnership at the time of application for the scholarship.
3.  Target group 2 students must be registered or admitted at a Higher Education Institution in one of the eligible countries identified in the Intra-ACP call.
4. Students are also required to have sufficient knowledge of the language in which courses are offered at the host HEI.

Am I eligible to apply as a staff?

Academic and Administrative staff employed by the Higher Education Institutions of the

partnership will be able to apply for short term mobility opportunities which could include benchmarking exercises, sabbatical research periods, guest lecturing, curriculum development, knowledge and resource sharing trips etc. on the basis that both institutions support the trip.

For staff to be eligible for the scholarship, they must:

1. Be a national or resident of the countries covered by the scholarship
2. Work at or be associated with a Higher Education Institution
3. The assignment of mobility of a staff member (Academic or Administrative) must be based on the agreement between partner institutions.
4. There must be an agreement between the home and host HEI regarding the modules to be taught by the visiting lecturer, the type of research to be conducted, the type of training to be followed or the administrative tasks to be undertaken.
5.  Staff mobility may take the form of a direct post-to-post exchange or a one way flow of mobility to or from an eligible country. Staff mobilities are not for full time academic degree seeking studies.

Staff who qualify under TG1 and TG2 as described above and want to pursue Masters and PhD programmes are eligible to apply for scholarship.

What are the programmes I may apply for as a Student?

Study fields are dependent on the institution for which you apply. A detailed list of the

available programmes and their respective institution is provided below.

Does the scholarship include Grants for my Research Work?

No. The scheme does not provide research grants to students. Students are expected to use part of their subsistence allowance to support their research work. P4HPT partners will assist students in identifying funding opportunities for their research work. Also, students (especially PhD) will be on research projects in their departments where possible.

Does Partnership provide scholarships for Sandwich or exchange programmes for students?

Sandwich and exchange programmes are not yet being funded under the partnership. This is being considered where students who are already enrolled for a PHD at their home institution will be able to apply for an 11 month period of supervised research at a host university that is one of the Higher Education Institutions in the partnership or where students registered as full-degree students at one of the partner universities comprising the consortium, spend a short period (10 months and less) at one of the other institutions in the consortium and return to their home institution after the exchange period to complete their degree at the home institution. This is being considered.

What is a Full degree scholarship?

Full degree scholarships are offered to students who meet the criteria and are admitted for Masters or PhD full time studies for the entire programme duration at one of the Partner Institutions of the partnership.

How do I apply for the scholarship?

  Application is done using an application form. You can access the application form on the project website.

You will also be asked to submit electronic versions of your resume, essay responses, transcripts, and name and email of your references. Please scan your passport, transcripts and resumes into electronic format (PDF format). 

Which data may I be requested to submit as part of my application?

You may be expected to submit (but not limited to); Personal contact information of the candidate, year of birth, CV, fulfillment with the eligibility criteria for a scholarship (proof of nationality, letters of recommendation/reference, relevant requirements for different target groups and type of mobility, proof of sufficient knowledge of the tuition language at the host institution), choice of courses and/or study programme and preferred host institutions.

Do I need to complete another application for Admission in the HEI of choice?

 Yes. Applicants have to complete a separate application for admission. Applying for scholarship does not grant  you automatic admission into the school.  

How do I apply for admission?

Applicants are to visit the respective hosting institution websites for directions on how to apply for admission. You may also contact the Institution representatives/contact persons listed in the table below for guidance.

What is the scholarship selection based on?

Applications will be evaluated based on the under listed criteria

Ø  Academic merit

Ø  Motivation for the mobility period

Ø  Sufficient knowledge of the tuition language at the host University

Ø  Learning Agreement or Study Plan (for master's students)

Ø  Positive reference/recommendation

Ø  Research/Teaching Plan (for PhD and academic staff)

Administrative Criteria

    Additional administrative criteria will include;

Ø  Relevance  of  the  mobility  for  both  the  host  university  and  the  home university

Ø  Equal geographic representation of the partner universities in the mobility scheme

Ø  Equity considerations for designated groups

How will I know the outcome of my application?

All successful applicants will be notified by email immediately after the partnership selection committee meets and takes a decision.