WorldWideStudies: NEWS
01.12.2011
On December 1, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation opens application process for grant competition under the WorldWideStudies scholarship program
The Victor Pinchuk Foundation has started the application process for the competition of the WorldWideStudies scholarship program. Under this program aimed at fostering a new generation of Ukrainian professional elite, the foundation will award the winners of the competition - talented Ukrainians under the age of 35 to pursue a Master’s Degree at one of the world’s best universities.
Submission of applications and online-registration is open on the website www.worldwidestudies.org from 1 December 2011 to 15 May 2012.
This year the Foundation will first of all support candidates applying for the following fields of study: agriculture, environment and ecology, law, and public administration. The Foundation will also consider applications from other fields of study provided that the applicants present their argumentation that the chosen field of study is expedient enough to be supported.
Potential Project participants - grantees:
- must be citizens of Ukraine and under 35 on the date of enrolment in the University;
- must have a Bachelor’s or higher Degree in the field required by the chosen foreign University and the Master’s program;
- will be admitted to the Master’s program of the University outside of Ukraine and will start their education in the autumn of 2012;
- must have a clear plan for applying in Ukraine the knowledge and skills acquired;
- must be committed to work in Ukraine for at least five years after finishing their studies.
The candidates will be shortlisted based on an open, nationwide competition and after having successfully applied to their chosen university. Then, they have an interview with the independent WorldWideStudies Selection panel on their study plans and on how they plan to apply the knowledge acquired upon return to Ukraine. Based on these interviews the selection panel selects the winners.
The grants will be used primarily to cover university tuition fees, books and medical insurance. The grant size is determined for each individual case based on needs and merit. The majority of the grants shall cover up to 60% of the total amount required (maximum of USD 50.000 for the overall period). Students are expected to cover the rest of the expenses by either contributing personal funds or finding matching funding. The Victor Pinchuk Foundation expects students to give return to Ukraine and work in their chosen field of study for at least 5 years.
Currently 10 of 17 winners of the first WorldWideStudies selective competition returned to Ukraine and started working in the field-specific companies; 7 grant winners of 2010 and 19 winners of 2011 continue their studies in the universities around the world: USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Germany and Malta. The program finalists are being selected from more than 200 potential candidates.
Overall, since launch of the project, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation allocated UAH 7 470 235.00 for the WWS.
Detailed information about terms and regulations of the competition, as well as recommendations on the selection of Master’s programs, host countries, information on specifics of education in these countries, the WWS application form can be found on the WorldWideStudies website.WorldWideStudies (WWS) is an educational Project of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation aimed at fostering a new generation of Ukrainian professional elite.
The Project offers support to Ukrainian citizens aged 35 or under to pursue a Master’s Degree in one of the world’s best Universities[1] in the fields selected by the Foundation as the top priority for the future development of Ukraine. For 2010-2012, they are: Agriculture, Environment and Ecology, Law and Public Administration.
WWS official website: www.worldwidestudies.org
How to participate:
1. Take necessary exams/tests (As early as possible, recommended by the end January 2012)
- Student goes through the language and other exams/tests as required by the University and its Master’s degree program for international applicants.
2. Apply and get enrolled in the University (October 2011 – March 2012)
- The Candidate completes enrolment procedures independently for the University and seeks additional funding from other sources.
3. Submit the Grant application to the Foundation (December 2011 – May 2012)
4. Interview with project Selection Panel (May 2012).
5. Finalize the Grant Agreement (June 2012)
- Approval of the grant, execution of the Grant Agreement with the Foundation.
6. Study abroad (Start in September 2012 for the duration of the Master’s program)
- University studies, performance monitoring, graduation.
7. Work in Ukraine(Min 5 years after the studies)
Panel of Judges will consider the following criteria when finalizing the grant to each Candidate:
- Description of personal and professional goals, clarity of the arguments and plans as to applying in Ukraine knowledge acquired
- Ranking of the selected Master’s program and University
- The Candidate’s support from current or potential employer in Ukraine
- The Candidate’s personal achievements/contribution to the development of Ukraine within the field of study (publications, research, launch of innovative projects, personal patents for invention etc.)
- The Candidate’s ability to qualify for additional funding from other sources
- The Candidate’s academic and professional achievements by the time of application.
