AAU e-Courier
Transcription
AAU e-Courier
Association of African Universities Association des Universités Africaines ﻻﺗﺤﺎد اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺎت اﻷﻓﺮﻳﻘﻴﺔ Issue No. 19 28th April 2005 AAU e-Courier An electronic update on Higher Education events, services and products Inside Pages: • First Global Meeting of Associations, Alexandria, Egypt, p. 2 • eContent Development Training – Availability of Start-up Kit, p.2 • College on Soil Physics, p.2 • The Changing Politics of Land in Africa: domestic policies, crisis management and regional norms, Call For Papers / Transformation Des Politiques Foncières En Afrique: Politiques Nationales, Gestion De Crises Et Normes Régionales, Appel A Contributions, p.3 • The African Mathematics Millennium Science Initiative (AMMSI), p.4 • COVIDSET 2005 Grants to ANSTI Member Institutions, p.4 • The ASC-CODESRIA Award for Students Researching the Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa, p.4 AAU e-Courier For publicising your higher education events, services, and products. Contact us at: Communication and Services Dept. Association of African Universities P.O. Box AN 5744, Accra, GHANA Tel. 233-21-774495 Fax: 233-21-774821 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.aau.org To receive the e-Courier: • Simply fill in the online bio-data form at http://www.aau.org/roap • Or update your CV to incorporate ROAP queries and email it to [email protected]. For back issues, visit: www.aau.org CODESRIA Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing 2005 Objectives: The Council for the Development of Social Science Research In Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the fourteenth competition under its Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing. The grants are intended to contribute to the development of the social sciences in Africa and the strengthening of the research capacity of African universities through the funding of primary research conducted by post-graduate students and professionals. In this connection, candidates whose applications are successful are encouraged to use the resources available under the grants to cover the cost of their fieldwork, the acquisition of books and documents, the processing of data which they have collected and the printing of their thesis/dissertation. Eligibility: The Programme is open to graduate students and professionals registered in African universities preparing their theses in all social science fields and other disciplines involving social or economic analysis. Application Procedures: Grants are awarded solely on the strength of the applications received by CODESRIA. All applications must contain the following: (i) Research Proposal: The proposal should not exceed ten type-written pages and should contain a clear statement of the research hypotheses, a critical review of the existing literature, the methodology to be used, the expected results of the work, and a detailed work plan and timetable. The research proposal should be based on an innovative problematic which sets out the originality of the theme in relation to on-going research in the same area; (ii) Budget: Applicants should present a detailed budget with expenses clearly linked to specific phases of their research. The budget should not exceed USD3000 for those preparing a PhD, USD2,500 for those preparing an M.Phil, and USD2,500 for those preparing an MA or MSc. Apart from trips for fieldwork in the country in which the research is actually conducted, travel abroad is not funded under the grant. (iii) Statement of Institutional Support: A statement is required from the applicant's institution of affiliation giving approval for the proposed research and an assurance of continued institutional support throughout the preparation of the thesis/dissertation. This statement of institutional support should be done on the institutional letterhead and must carry the official stamp; (iv) Letters of Reference: Two letters of reference must accompany each application, one from the thesis/dissertation supervisor assessing the applicant's research proposal and abilities and another from a faculty member assessing the applicant in relation to other graduate students and commenting on the scientific merit and validity of the proposed research; (v) Curriculum Vitae: Applicants should include a current Curriculum Vitae which, among other things, indicates their discipline and nationality, and provides a list of their recent publications and on-going research activities in which they are involved. Application Deadline and Selection Procedures: The deadline for the receipt of applications is 30 April, 2005. Applications found to be incomplete or which arrive after the deadline will not be taken into consideration. The independent Selection Committee charged with screening all applications received will meet in May 2005 and the results of its deliberations will be announced shortly thereafter. All applications should be submitted to: The Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing CODESRIA, BP 3304, CP 18524, Dakar, Senegal. Tel.: +221-825 9822, Fax: +221-824 1289 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.codesria.org AAU e-Courier (28th April 2005) 2 First global Meeting of Associations Alexandria, Egypt, 14 - 16 November 2005 The International Association of Universities (IAU), founded in 1950, is a UNESCO-based international nongovernmental organisation. It brings together universities and institutions of higher education and organisations of universities from around the world for reflection and action on common concerns. The Association collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies and groups active in higher education. Its services are available to organisations, institutions and authorities concerned with higher education, as well as to individual policy and decision-makers, specialists, administrators, teachers, researchers and students. The International Association of Universities (IAU) - in partnership with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Egypt - will organize a first global Meeting of Associations and International Conference on Cross-Border Education and Internationalisation of higher education, gathering national, regional and international associations of universities to debate cross-border education and to envisage possible strategies and actions, and to discuss the principles and recommendations of the policy Statement Sharing Quality Higher Education Across Borders elaborated by IAU, AUCC, ACE and CHEA (available online at: http://www.unesco.org/iau/p_statements/index.html). More information (programme, registration forms, fees and hotel information) for both events are available and updated regularly on the IAU website (www.unesco.org.iau). eContent Development Training – Availability of Start-up Kit UNESCO, through its agency for Science and Technology, The African Network for Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) is announcing the availability of a selflearning course on how to develop e-content. The course entitled “How to develop electronic Content” version 1.2.1 is a valuable resource for any individual, department or university (or organization) that wishes to develop e-content to complement existing instructional techniques such as face-toface. The course is distributed on CD and it comprises three modules namely, Introduction to the process of e-content development, The tools for e-content development and an Introduction to E-learning platforms. The CD is interactive in design and presents content in text narrative, examples, graphics and images, audio and video modes. It has used the concept of Objectives to drive and derive the learning experiences. At the end of each unit, there is a self-evaluation quiz with instant feedback of outcome. The next version of this CD will be out shortly. A French version equivalent is also underway. For further information, please contact the ANSTI secretariat at [email protected]. ANSTI/UNESCO Secretariat, P. O. BOX 30592, Nairobi, KENYA Tel: - +254 2 622619/20, 622725, 622716 Fax: - +254 2 622538, 622750 Email: - [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected] College on Soil Physics The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, will organize a college on Soil Physics, to be held from 12 -30 September 2005. The college aims to provide participants with knowledge of soil physical properties and processes so that they may understand and solve engineering, agronomic and environmental problems and activities such as drainage, irrigation, erosion, pollution, solute transport, and this in different climatological regions. During this three week college the following main topics will be covered: 1. Soil physical properties and processes (intrinsic, spatial, temporal) 2. Soil degradation and desertification processes (physics, factors, prediction, control) 3. Climate and soil-water-plantatmosphere continuum (infiltration, evaporation, soil water balance). The college is for students and professionals with varied background in physics, mathematics, soils, engineering, agricultural and environmental sciences. The application form is available from the ICCTP WWW server: http://agenda.ictp.trieste.it/smr.php?1674 or from the activity secretariat. It should be completed and returned before 25 May 2005 to: College on Soil Physics, (smr 1647 – c/o Ms. Rosanna Sain), The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, 34014 Trieste, Italy, Or E-mail: [email protected] , http://www.ictp.it/ ANSTI/UNESCO Secretariat, P. O. BOX 30592 Nairobi, KENYA, Tel: - +254 2 622619/20, 622725, 622716, Fax: - +254 2 622538, 622750 Email: - [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] AAU e-Courier (28th April 2005) 3 The Changing Politics of Land in Africa: Domestic Policies, Crisis Management and Regional Norms Call For Papers Date: 28-29 November 2005 Venue: University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa Transformation Des Politiques Foncières En Afrique: Politiques Nationales, Gestion De Crises Et Normes Régionales Appel A Contributions Ending post-colonial conflicts in Africa and reconstructing states and societies in their aftermaths is the focus of much international activism since the 1990s. In cases such as Mozambique and South Africa, the movement from war to peace has resulted in tangible economic and social improvements in the lives of individuals and the communities. And yet, for all the successes that can be pointed to, there remain numerous instances where peace still has only a tenuous grip on society or conflict has re-asserted itself. A common denominator of those states which have succumbed to political violence is the failure of post-conflict reconstruction to address the issue of land. As a primary and fundamental but also highly symbolic resource for the vast majority of African peoples, land holds a unique position within so-called traditionalist societies and economies. Indeed, much of the conflict experienced in the colonial and postcolonial period can be traced back to its summary expropriation from the peasantry by various authorities. In this sense, the absence of any systematic analysis of the status of land, changes to tenure and, ultimately, the integration of these insights into post-conflict reconstruction strategies - embarked upon by African governments and international community potentially undermines their very success. This conference will seek to examine and analyse the role of land as a site and source of conflict, especially with regard to post-conflict reconstruction. The central aim of the conference, being comparative in nature, is to gain insight into the nature of policy making concerning land, not only at national level but at the broader African state system level as well and the degree to which the challenges facing it - in the form of new norms of governance of state and markets (most recently articulated in the NEPAD initiative or put forward by several African State leaders supporting anti-imperialist policies) – influence the latter. As such, the conference will compare responses to internal crisis related to land across a range of African sub-regional groupings. It will adopt a continental perspective on the topic, that is to say, investigate cases drawn from all regions across Africa. Papers (selected through an international review committee) are welcomed from academics, policy makers or main practitioners dealing with the politics of land. Proceedings will be compiled and edited for publication. The conference is linked to a three-year project on land policy in Southern Africa jointly sponsored by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and the London School of Economics (LSE). Abstract of papers (2000-2500 characters) (in English only) should be sent to: Politics of Land Conference Email: [email protected] before the 30th of April 2005 at the latest La fin des conflits post-coloniaux en Afrique et la reconstruction des Etats et des sociétés ont été l’objet de beaucoup d’attention de la part de différents mouvements militants internationaux depuis les années 1990. Dans des cas comme le Mozambique et l’Afrique du Sud, l’évolution des guerres et des conflits vers la paix a donné lieu à des améliorations considérables des conditions de vie des individus et des communautés. Néanmoins, parmi tous les cas de succès qui peuvent être évoqués, nombreux sont ceux où la paix n’est que très fragile, voire où les conflits réapparaissent. Un dénominateur commun de ces Etats ayant succombé à la violence politique, est l’échec de la reconstruction postconflictuelle sur la question foncière. Ressource primaire et fondamentale mais également symbolique pour la grande majorité des Africains, la terre jouit d’une position particulière au sein des sociétés et des économies dites traditionnelles. En effet, nombreux sont les conflits des périodes coloniales et post-coloniales émanant de l’expropriation sommaire de la paysannerie par des autorités diverses. Dans ce sens, l’absence d’analyses systématiques du statut de la terre, de la transformation des tenures foncières et, enfin, de l’intégration de ces aspects aux stratégies de reconstruction postconflictuelle dans lesquelles les gouvernements nationaux et la communauté internationale se sont engagés, compromet potentiellement leur contenu même. Ce colloque tentera d’analyser et de comprendre le statut de la terre comme lieu et source de conflit, en particulier en liaison avec les stratégies de reconstruction post-conflictuelle. Se voulant comparatif, l’objectif central de ce colloque sera de mieux comprendre le processus d’élaboration des politiques foncières, non seulement au niveau national mais également au niveau des systèmes régionaux inter-étatiques. En particulier, le colloque permettra de saisir l’impact des défis posés au développement de politiques, sous forme de nouvelles normes de gouvernance des Etats et des marchés, récemment articulées dans l’initiative NEPAD et de la montée de discours antiimpérialiste sur les questions foncières. La conférence comparera ainsi les réponses aux crises internes liées au foncier à travers un certain nombre de sous-régions africaines. La conférence adoptera donc une perspective continentale sur le sujet, c’est-à-dire étudiera des cas issus des différentes régions du continent africain. Des articles (sélectionnés par un comité scientifique international) d’universitaires, de décideurs politiques ou de praticiens concernés par les politiques foncières sont les bienvenus. Les actes seront regroupés et édités pour publication. Cette conférence fait partie d’un programme de recherche sur la réforme foncière en Afrique australe soutenu par l’Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud (IFAS) et la London School of Economics (LSE). Les résumés (2000-2500 signes) des articles proposés (en anglais uniquement) sont à envoyer à : « Conférence sur les politiques foncières » Email : [email protected] Impérativement avant le 30 avril 2005 AAU e-Courier (28th April 2005) 4 The African Mathematics Millennium Science Initiative (AMMSI) Postgraduate & Research/Visiting Scientist Fellowships AMMSI is a project established by the Millennium Science Initiative (MSI) whose primary goal is to create and nurture world-class science and scientific talent in the developing world by strengthening S&T capacity through integrated programmes of research and training, planned and driven by local scientists. With the support of The Mellon Foundation and The International Mathematical Union (IMU) AMMSI is offering postgraduate scholarships as well as support for research or visiting scientists to travel to different institutions. All individuals who wish to take advantage of the scholarships and fellowships on offer from AMMSI can visit www.ammsimaths.org You may also download the attached AMMSI prospectus or information pamphlets on AMMSI postgraduate scholarships and research/visiting fellowships. ANSTI/UNESCO Secretariat, P. O. BOX 30592, Nairobi, KENYA, Tel: - +254 2 622619/20, 622725, 622716 Fax: - +254 2 622538, 622750 Email: - [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected] COVIDSET 2005 Grants to ANSTI Member Institutions ANSTI will be giving one full grant and one partial grant to representatives of each ANSTI member institution participating in the 1st African Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors, provosts and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET 2005) that has paid all its ANSTI membership fees. Therefore, all member institutions that have fully paid their membership fees for this year are invited to register for the Conference and to send their nominees to [email protected] quoting COVIDSET 2005 grants to ANSTI Member Institutions - as the subject line. ANSTI/UNESCO Secretariat, P. O. BOX 30592, Nairobi, KENYA Tel: - +254 2 622619/20, 622725, 622716 Fax: - +254 2 622538, 622750 Email: - [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] The ASC-CODESRIA Award for Students Researching the Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa The award This annual award has been set up jointly by the African Studies Centre (ASC) in Leiden, the Netherlands and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in Dakar, Senegal. It aims to encourage student research and writing on Africa, and to promote the study of African cultures and societies. It will be presented to a student whose Master’s thesis has been completed on the basis of research conducted on Africa. The award may also be granted to any other final-year piece of work in the form of film, video or CD Rom that presents a clear analysis of an issue relating to Africa. (The term ‘thesis’ is also used to include these other forms of scientific reporting.) The award consists of a prize of $1000 for the winning thesis, the publication of the work in the ASC Research Report Series and the publication of an article by the winning author in CODESRIA Bulletin. Who can apply Any final-year student who has completed his/her Master’s study with distinction (Dutch rating: 8 or more) at a university in Africa or the Netherlands can be awarded the ASCCODESRIA Master’s thesis prize. The thesis must be based on independent empirical research related to Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section. It must have been examined within one year prior to the deadline for submitting manuscripts (see below). Work that has already won a prize elsewhere will not be considered for this award. Any thesis thematically related to socio-geographical, economic, political, historical, juridical or anthropological issues or focusing on the humanities (with the exception of language, literature and/or semiotic studies) can be submitted. Theses can be submitted to CODESRIA or the ASC (but not to both) depending on the following criteria: - a thesis can be submitted to CODESRIA if it is written in English, French, Portuguese or Arabic and if its geographical focus is on Africa as well As on its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. - a thesis can be submitted to the ASC if it is written in English, French or Dutch and if in terms of geographical focus, the subject is limited to Sub-Saharan Africa and its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. From the submissions to both institutes, a shortlist will be drawn up from which the winning thesis will be selected by a joint jury. The annual deadline for the submission of theses is 31 May 2005. For more information or queries regarding the submission of a thesis,please contact the secretary of the ASC Awards Committee, Ms Gitty Petit: [email protected] or the secretary of the CODESRIA Awards Committee, Ms Chifaou I. Josiane Amzat: [email protected] or [email protected]