Dr Sylvia Meek’s legacy lives on in scholarship for entomology students
Malaria Consortium is proud to announce its partnership with University of Nigeria, Nsukka,to continue Dr Sylvia Meek’s legacy through the Dr Sylvia Meek Scholarship for Entomology.
The Scholarship for Entomology has been set up in the memory of Dr Sylvia Meek, Malaria Consortium’s Global Technical Director whose untimely passing away in 2016 has left a big void in the fight against infectious diseases, and malaria in particular.
Both Malaria Consortium and University of Nigeria are committed to ensure Sylvia’s values are carried on by the future generation of entomologists in Africa.Sylvia was not only a great scientistbut someone with great compassion who wasan inspiration to her associates and colleagues.
The scholarship, established in Sylvia’s honour by Malaria Consortium, will empower a new generation of public health entomologists and malaria staff in Africa and Asia. Given the limited numberof field-oriented vector biologists, and the challengesAfrican countries face in achieving malaria elimination, this scholarship is a great opportunity to supportthe next generation of public health entomologists in support of this quest.
Malaria Consortium is delighted that University of Nigeria is hostingrecipients of the scholarship. University of Nigeria is the first indigenous university established in 1960, following the country’s independence. It is a land-grant university and according to webometric ranking (2017), University of Nigeriaranks among the top five universities in Nigeria.
The University of Nigeriawill be acceptingtwoscholarship students in 2017 fora two-year Master’s programme in Entomologyat the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology,Faculty of Biological Sciences, starting mid-October.
Who can apply for the Dr Sylvia Meek Scholarship for Entomology at University of Nigeria?
- Nationals from the following countries can apply: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon,the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar,Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Applicants need to have successfully completed a Bachelor’sdegree
- Applicants should have good knowledge of English (the language of instruction)
- Applicants should demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, entomology and the control of vector borne diseases.
- Mid-career applications will be considered along with fresh graduates.
Application and Selection Procedure
First step
Applicants should apply for their studies at University of Nigeria by submitting the following documents to the Dean of the postgraduate school, Professor P Osadebe (patience.osadebe@unn.edu.ng) and to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, James Ogbonna (james.ogbonna@unn.edu.ng):
- An application letter, stating the area of entomology you intend to specialise in
- Bachelor’sdegree certificate
- Bachelor’sdegree academic transcript(grade report where the completed courses are listed)
- For those applicants from countries where English is not the official language: English proficiency test result or any other proof of proficiency in English
Please submit these documents no later than Sunday 27th August 2017.
University of Nigeria will screen, pre-select and shortlist applicants. The shortlist will be submitted to a scholarship selection panel comprising ofUniversity of Nigeria and Malaria Consortiumvector control experts.
Second step
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to send to the scholarship selection panel the following:
- Personal statement written in English of no more than 500 words indicating why you would like to study entomology
- Two recommendations (can be professional or academic references)
Shortlisted applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by Friday 15th September 2017.
Third step:
Selected students will start the academic year mid-October.
Financial aspects
The Dr Sylvia Meek Scholarship for Entomology will cover all tuition fees, a research study allowance, upkeep costs such as accommodation and board, an allowance to travel to Nigeria(if non-national) and return home after the course, health insurance and stationery costs for the duration of the MSc. degree, i.e. a maximum of two years, by which time the studentsshould finish their degree.