Studies Without Borders offers scholarship for Afghan Students

Information about the scholarship from SOG for the AGMC

Please notice that all this information below is provisional. If anything changes, we will update the page. So please visit this page again.

Latest update: 10th of January 2011

Please note: The application form is not longer available! The application window is closed, so please do not send applications anymore. We will not consider them - We are sorry!

We are currently evaluating the applications and we will get back to you very soon.

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For questions which are not answered here, you can send an e-mail to afghanscholarship@studieren-ohne-grenzen.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Afghan German Management College

The College

The Afghan German Management College (AGMC) is a not-for-profit distance-teaching university for business education in Afghanistan. The AGMC focuses on management education, entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and NGO management.

History

AGMC was born of an initiative by former officers of the German Federal Armed Forces. During their NATO missions in Afghanistan, they had experienced the devastating situation in the Afghan higher education sector, and particularly in the field of management there is an immense amount of catching-up to do. In January 2006, preparatory work was advanced sufficiently for Bastian Kuhl to found the AGMC. The first class started in July 2006 with 12 Afghan students. By the end of the year the number of students had already grown to 82. Four years later, in March 2010, over 360 students from all areas of Afghanistan gained access to business education at the AGMC.

For further information please visit http://www.afgemaco.com.

Studies Without Borders

The organization

“Studies Without Borders” (german: “Studieren Ohne Grenzen e.V.”) is a benevolent, charitable organization. Founded in October 2006 in Konstanz, Germany, it is one of several European branches of the French organization Etudes Sans Frontières. The association is subdivided in several independent local groups that are synchronized by a national coordination team. All our everyday business is tackled by work teams in the local groups.

Our goal

Our goal consists of qualifying young people from crisis regions to make their own contribution to the reconstruction of their home country. In order to help a larger number of students, we also work on improving the quality of educational institutions in the countries our students come from. We think that especially societies affected by crises need young and motivated people in periods of reconstruction.

Students help students

One of our characteristics is our student background. Even though studying is not a requirement to become a member, we welcome committed people of all areas to join.

This basis enables us to stay at eye-level with our scholars. In their studies they are confronted with the same problems as we are. Many of us are scholars at other organizations as well.

Please read the following information carefully before filling in the application:

General information about the study and the scholarship

The study

• The degree of Bachelor of Business Administration involves a study duration of 4,5 years, consisting of 9 semesters of 6-months duration.
• In each semester the student has to attend one of the courses offered by the faculties. Staff of each faculty will coach students during their work on the bachelor-thesis.
• The 8th semester is a practical semester. In this practical semester, you will conduct a project or do an internship in your regional environment. You are free to choose the topic.
• In the 9th semester, you will have to write your bachelor-thesis.
• The distance study is online based, all the study material is provided on an internet platform. Also the exams take place online.
• Begin of study and scholarship: 4th March 2011

The requirements

You should

• be interested in economics and management.
• have a good knowledge of English. All the study material is in English as well as the exams. Therefore it is highly important that you can understand, read and write English.
• have a good school-leaving certificate that enables you to attend an university.
• not be older than 30 years.

You must

• be in need. We will only chose applicants who cannot afford a study without financial help.
• have an idea for a social project which you will put into practice within the studies (further information of the project see below).
• have an e-mail address to stay in contact with us. We also will inform you about the result of your application via email. If you have a mobile phone, please declare your phone number in the application, then we can also inform your via phone.
• have internet access e. g. at an internet café. We are also planning to provide you internet access of our own.

We are especially looking forward to female applicants!

We expect from you:

• a report about your improvements in your study and the social project every half year.
• a motivated participation at your studies.
• the realization of a social project: the project is meant to help people in your surrounding (beyond your family) to improve their living conditions by bringing in your talents and knowledge. The project is to be carried out during your whole study period (i.e. at least the first 7 semesters) and can e.g. take 4 hours a week. A possible project could be teaching English to youth or teaching reading and writing to illiterates. Furthermore it is possible to start your own business like a bakery, a sewing company or a cinema. The project can be done in cooperation with a local NGO which gives you information concerning the realization of your ideas. (The support of the NGO must not be financial.) There are no limitations to your ideas. Please keep in mind that your project is realizable for you. It may affect disadvantaged persons, give work or occupation. Let Afghanistan feel your creativity and capacities!

The scholarship includes:

• the tuition fees of 60$ per semester.
• 80$ living costs per month. This amount can be increased, beginning with the 2nd semester. This depends on the quality of your social project and the time you need for the project.
• For the 8th and the 9th semester you have to apply once again separately.

Information concerning the application:

• The time period of application is: 6th of December 2010 – 09th of January 2011.
• During this time period, you should fill in and send us the application form at this website. The application form will soon (at least starting with the application period) be made available here. After the 9th of January, applications are no longer possible. There won't be made any exceptions.
• If you have been chosen as a scholarship holder, you have to show your school-leaving certificate to verify the information given in the application form. Therefore you have to present yourself to a contact person of the college within two weeks after you have been informed of your acceptance. You will get further information in case of a choice. In case of false information we are obligated to disqualify you.
• If you have been chosen as a scholarship holder from Studies Without Borders, you are automatically accepted as a student at the AGMC. It is NOT necessary to apply for both, the scholarship from Studies Without Borders AND the study at the AGMC.
• We will inform all of you of the result of your application probably between the 7th and 13th of February 2011 via email (or mobile phone if available).

Please pay attention to the following points concerning your application:

One of the determining factors will be your social project with which you want to help to reconstruct your home country.

Therefore, the description of your social project should be pretty explicit. Please answer the following questions in the description of the project if possible:

Where and how do you want to realize the project? Who do you want to reach with the project? Who could help you to carry out your project? Where do you want to get the money for your project from (if necessary)? What is your personal motivation for the project?

The questions in the application form are necessary for a fair selection of the applicants. So please give detailed and correct answers. In case of false information we are obligated to disqualify the applicant.

Please fill in the form completely. Only complete application forms are considered.

All personal information you give in your application are confidential and only accessible to members of the selection committee of Studies Without Borders.

If there are any questions remained do not hesitate and write us! Send an e-mail at: afghanscholarship@studieren-ohne-grenzen.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Please write in English).

We are looking forward to your application!

Good luck!

Fullbright for Afghan Students

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
2011-2012 FULBRIGHT VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the 2011-2012 Fulbright Visiting Student Program for citizens of Afghanistan to pursue two-year master’s degrees in the United States.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Participants will be recruited through a merit-based, open competition and chosen based upon their leadership potential, academic excellence, maturity, ability to adjust successfully to life in the U.S., strong interest in engaging Americans, and potential to promote mutual understanding between the United States and Afghanistan.

Applicants must be citizens of Afghanistan and have completed their undergraduate education and hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree by the start of the grant period.

Applicants should have a sufficient level of English to enable them to successfully complete full-time graduate study in the U.S. Many successful applicants earn a score of 550 or higher on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Long-term language training may be available for some applicants who fail to obtain the required TOEFL score; however, all applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language skills during the interview portion of the selection process. Semi-finalists will also be required to take the Graduate Record Examination.

Strong preference will be given to applicants who have not had extensive recent experience in the U.S. An applicant who is currently in the U.S. is ineligible for a grant.

All grantees are expected to return to Afghanistan for at least two years at the conclusion of their grant in compliance with the J-visa requirements and to promote mutual understanding.

All grantees receive tuition, a monthly stipend for up to 24 months, supplemental health and accident benefits, a book and equipment allowance, travel support, and the opportunity to attend Fulbright enrichment activities.

The link for applying online is - https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international/20/

Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2010 at 5 p.m.

Late applications will not be accepted.

EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES

Fulbright Graduate Program

The Fulbright Graduate Program enables Afghans to pursue graduate-level study in the United States, build leadership skills, and exchange cultural understanding with Americans.
The Fulbright Graduate Fellowship pays for up to two years of graduate study in the U.S., in order to earn an MA, MS, MBA/MPA, LLM, or similar graduate degree. Up to thirty graduate fellowships are available for the 2011-12 academic year, for up to two years of study in the United States, including tuition, lodging, books, and transportation.

Benefits

The Fulbright Graduate Fellowship covers:
• tuition at a U.S. university;
• a living and book/supply stipend;
• round-trip international airfare to the U.S. and back; and
• health benefits policy for the duration of the study program.
Fulbright graduate students may also be able to attend special seminars and presentations during their time in the U.S.

No Dependents

The fellowship is provided for the recipient only; dependents cannot be supported. Dependents of Fulbright Afghan participants are not permitted to accompany participants to the U.S. All Fulbright Afghan participants must return to Afghanistan immediately following the completion of their academic program.

Placements

As a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship recipient, you will study at a university in the United States for up to two years. You may indicate a preference for universities in which you would like to study. These placements will be explored but cannot be assured.

Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is May 1st 2010. Fellowships will be awarded for programs beginning in the United States in August/September 2011.

How to Apply

Step 1

the first step in applying for the Fulbright Graduate Fellowship is to read the instructions carefully. Before you apply, be sure that you qualify.

The Fulbright Graduate Program Fellowships are open to Afghan citizens living in Afghanistan, who:

• hold a minimum of a BA/BS degree;
• want to pursue graduate study at the master's degree level in humanities or social sciences including English, economics, finance, public health, public administration, and law;
• are proficient in English; and
• are able to function easily in academic and social settings.

Step 2

To apply for a 2011-12 Fulbright Graduate Fellowship, you must submit a preliminary application online at:
https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/international
before May 1, 2010.

The application will ask you to provide such information as:

• your proposed field of study;
• future plans;
• educational background;
• work experience;
• language skills;
• study/research objectives; and
• personal history.
At this step please note that the three letters of reference (from your teachers and/or supervisors) and official academic records/certificates are not required with the initial application. Please review the advice on writing a Statement of Purpose.
The Fulbright Graduate Student Program deadline is May 1, 2010. Please submit online.

Step 3

The U.S. Embassy will review the applications and inform the most promising applicants by email that they are registered for a free English test called the institutional TOEFL. We expect the iTOEFL to be offered on several different dates and perhaps in different cities, beginning May 25.

Step 4

After we receive the institutional TOEFL scores, the U.S. Embassy will contact the most competitive applicants to submit a complete application including three letters of recommendations and official academic records/transcripts. We will also schedule selected applicants to come into the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for a personal interview, beginning the last week in June. This is normally the last step in the Fulbright selection process although the finalists will still need to take the paper-based TOEFL in September and some will be required to take the Graduate Record Exam, or GRE.

Afghanistan is on top the 10 Most Corrupt Police Forces in the World

For more information please visit the Criminal Justice's website.

Just about every country deals with corruption in one way or another, but some can’t even trust the people whose sole job is to protect them. All around the world, police forces have been plagued by deep-rooted corruption and criminal activity that have hurt society and endangered its citizens. Many policemen are underpaid and turn to corruption to make more money, but their selfish deeds have wreaked havoc on countries that desperately need help. Here are the 10 most corrupt police forces in the world:

1. Haiti: Haiti is notorious for having one of the most corrupt police forces in the world. The Haitian police have negatively influenced society and Haitian culture with their unethical practices for quite awhile. In recent years, the Haitian National Police have violated various human rights and broken numerous laws, such as kidnapping, drug trafficking and police brutality. They have even resisted preventing or responding to gang-related violence. The lawlessness of the HNP appears to have died down slightly after the catastrophic earthquake in January 2010, but only time will tell if it will stay this way.
2. Mexico: Mexico has one of the most corrupt police forces in the world and it continues to get worse every day. Crime is at an all-time high in Mexico City and border towns, but many police officers are only making it worse. Mexican police turn to corruption to find other means of money because the pay is low. Police will bribe criminals and extort tourists and have been known to give victims the option of "plata o plomo," which means they can either accept a bribe or be killed. Mexican police also work with drug cartels to protect them and enforce drug trafficking. They often ignore reported crimes and do not investigate them, often imprisoning innocent citizens to cover up their dirty work.
3. Kenya: Kenya has one of the most corrupt police forces in the world. According to a Transparency International repot, an astounding 92 percent of Kenyans ranked their police as the most corrupt and many of them have paid a bribe to Kenyan police within the last 12 months. Citizens are bribed into paying police for access to various services, such as Customs, healthcare, police, education, registration and permits, and even utility services. Kenyan police have even targeted Somali refugees who’ve crossed the border in desperation by raping, beating and blackmailing them.
4. Uzbekistan: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) controls the police in Uzbekistan, which has a long history of corruption. The Uzbekistan police have been known to detain citizens to extort bribes and take away their human rights. Police brutality and bribery have also been committed by Uzbekistan law enforcement. Bribery is used in Uzbekistan for just about everything – traffic stops, civil lawsuits and even admission to leading educational institutions. With the rise of the bribery system, police protection does not come free to the people of Uzbekistan.
5. Burma: Burma is another country with a troubled police force. Corruption among police is nothing out of the norm here. The Burma police force has been known to make victims pay for criminal investigations and often extort money from civilians. Burma is ruled by a highly authoritarian military regime, which has a direct hold on the police force and the rights of citizens.
6. Iraq: The Iraqi police have had a long history of corruption and, despite funds and retraining efforts, they’ve managed to maintain their corruption. Iraqi police continue to be highly sectarian and participate in kidnappings, ransom payments and bribery. They have proven to be ineffective at controlling terrorism efforts and protecting civilians in the ways they need to be.
7. Somalia: The Somali police force is one of the most corrupt agencies in the world. This war-torn country continues to face a great deal of adversity and civilians are at the greatest risk. Somali police have been known to be ineffective and crooked. Because they are underpaid, many Somali police officers steal, extort, bribe and harass individuals to get money. They’ve also had a history of police brutality and often ignore societal violence. In 2009, nearly 1,000 Somali police officers went missing after receiving extensive training funded by the German government. It is believed that the police officers escaped to join the Islamist militia Al-Shabaab.
8. Afghanistan: Afghanistan has had one of the most corrupt police forces in the world, and it seems like it’s only getting worse with time. Graft has made it impossible for Afghan police to improve and effectively do their job, but corruption is witnessed within the police force, as well. Afghan police have been known to extort money and inflict violence on civilians at police checkpoints around the country. Police also bribe civilians into paying them for their release from prison or to avoid arrest. Although police corruption has gotten slightly better with international efforts and retraining, it continues to suffer at the whim of governmental corruption and power.
9. Sudan: Sudan is one of the most corrupt countries for various reasons. Not only has their former president Oman Al-Bashir been indicted for war crimes and genocide, but this nation suffers from a corrupt police force. Sudanese police have been known to extort bribes from civilians in order to supplement their incomes. Police rarely file reports or investigate crimes, and often use violence and retaliation against people who complain about police abuses.
10. Russia: Russian government is no stranger to corruption, especially within its police force. Within recent years, facts have surfaced about the corruption and crimes being committed by Russian police officers. Police brutality, extorting bribes and arresting innocent citizens are all crimes that have been committed among Russian police forces. In order to ensure monthly quotas and make ends meet, Russian police turn to corruption and bribery.

this article is taken from...

Fellowships in Islamic Architecture at MIT

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

2011-2012 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
FOR RESEARCH IN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT (AKPIA@MIT) is pleased to announce its postdoctoral fellowship program for the academic year 2011-2012. The fellowship program is intended for scholars with Ph.D. in any field related to architecture — including architectural, art, landscape, and urban history, design, technology, computation, urban planning, anthropology, and archeology — who are engaged in research on an Islamic topic. One to three fellowships will be granted. The fellowship duration can range from two months to a maximum of two semesters, or nine months, of residency, that will have to fall within the academic year. Fellows are expected to pursue their own research, give at least one public lecture, submit a substantial report on their research at the end of their fellowship to be electronically published by AKPIA@MIT, and participate in the program’s scholarly and academic activities during their stay at MIT. The fellowship award consists of monthly stipend not to exceed the amount of $3,100 (before taxes) per month and one roundtrip ticket for the fellow from his/her place of residence. Fellows will be responsible to find their own housing and health insurance during their fellowship period. AKPIA will provide library cards, email accounts at MIT, and a workplace in the AKPIA@MIT office that might have to be shared with another fellow.

Deadline for application is March 1, 2011. Results will be announced byApril 26, 2011. Applicants should send a C.V., a research proposal specifying the desired period of stay and other sources of funding if available, one substantial writing sample or a portfolio, and two letters of recommendation. It is strongly suggested that applications are submitted electronically. Applicants are encouraged to seek other sources of funding to supplement the fellowship award. Scholars with their own financial resources or who are on sabbatical and wish to apply to AKPIA fellowships are also welcome. AKPIA reserves the right to prorate its fellowship when combined with another grant or fellowship.

Please send all application material to:

Prof. Nasser Rabbat
2011-2012 Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
MIT, Room 10-390
Cambridge, MA 02139
Fax: 617-258-8172
ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS TO: akpiarch@mit.edu

For further information please send email to akpiarch@mit.edu, or call 617- 253-1400, or visit the web at http://web.mit.edu/akpia/www/

Scholarship for Afghan girls in the U.S.A

For more information, please got to IEAW

The IEAW encourages Afghan women to apply for this unique educational experience using the following list of requirements.

IEAW Requirements & Application Timeline Grades In order to be considered for our program, you must have mostly all A’s and B’s in your classes (this means grades ranging from 85-100). TOEFL Your score must be at least 550 to be considered for our program. Students must take the exam and receive a score before being interviewed. For information about where and when the TOEFL test is offered, please go to www.ets.org/toefl/ English You must be fluent in English. Residency You and your family must be full-time and permanent residents of Afghanistan. Dedication You must be 100% dedicated to returning to Afghanistan after graduation. Additionally, you must be dedicated to returning home every summer while in school. Application Timeline September ’09- May ‘10: Applications are accepted May ’10- Candidates are told whether or not they qualified for an interview June ’10 - Candidates who qualified are interviewed in Kabul July ’10 - Candidates are told if they qualified for our program Sept '10 – Jan ’11 - Qualified candidates complete university applications.

Download/View Application

Note: Although we will accept your application without a TOEFL score, in order to be considered for an interview, we must receive your TOEFL score by April 1.