Call for Ph.D. Scholarship Applications 2023/2024

Project Background

The MUST-IUC Partnership titled “University as a Facilitator for Community-Based Sustainable Solutions to demographic challenges in Southwestern Uganda”  hereafter referred to as UCoBS is a 10-year (2022-2032) collaborative partnership project between Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) and other Flemish Higher Education Institutions funded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR UOS) with a strong niche of improving the household livelihoods of the Most at Risk Populations (MARPs) in South Western Uganda. sub-project 5 titled ‘Increased youth employability through skilling, innovations, experiential learning, and technology transfer’ is among the six sub-projects under the MUST-IUC UCoBS partnership that seek to support a Ph.D. candidate.

The PhD scholarship Scope

The selected PhD candidate will benefit from 12-24 months of funding for research stays in a Flemish University and funding will be available in the stipulated training period for not more than 4 years. The full PhD funding is conditional on the successful defense of a PhD proposal and obtaining sufficient course credits at MUST and during the first months of stay in Belgium. Outside the research stays in Belgium, the candidate will have to secure her/his own funding in consultation with Mbarara University of Science and Technology. The MUST-IUC sub-projects will support the research activities and fieldwork. The selected candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary and international research project and will contribute to addressing development-relevant issues in collaboration with Ugandan stakeholders. The scholarship funding will be compliant with the official scholarship schemes of VLIR UOS and the existing policy guidelines of MUST and implementing institutions. The PhD candidate will be supervised and or promoted by a team of Flemish and Ugandan professors and defend his/her thesis at Mbarara University of Science and Technology or a Flemish institution where the PhD is registered. The PhD candidate will interact with other PhD students from Uganda and Belgium. The candidate may have his/her PhD registered at two Universities for a Dual or Joint PhD if interested.

Scholarships under Sub-Project Five (Second Call 2023/2024)

Project Title: Increased youth employability through skilling, innovations, experiential learning, and technology transfer

PhD Focus and Activities

This PhD position is framed in the context of sub-project 5 titled ‘Increased youth employability through skilling, innovations, experiential learning, and technology transfer’. This sub-project is part of six sub-projects under the MUST-IUC UCoBS partnership. The PhD project will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of MUST and Flemish Partner Institutions professors. The sub-project focuses on developing competitive knowledge in order to strengthen individuals and society’s proactive and innovative capacities in dealing with change through Entrepreneurship and Innovativeness. The sub-project will use/offer training, mentoring, coaching, and industrial placements to equip MUST and community youth with entrepreneurship skills for mindset change. The industry will participate in events like entrepreneurship week, exchange visits, and innovation cafes. Specifically, this PhD project aims to prepare students for original research that takes a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, policy, and entrepreneurship, as well as to foster independent and innovative thinking in policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship; under two themes:

1. Managing and commercializing science of innovations;
2. Building and operating entrepreneurial ecosystems/networks;

The PhD applicant’s Profile

1. The applicant should be aged between 20-40 years
2. Should hold at least an honors and a Master’s degree in Business, Economics or any related scientific discipline.
3. Have experience in handling youth entrepreneurial-related tasks at a reputable institution
4. We require highly motivated candidates to undertake academic research in an international context and commit to quality research outputs;
5. Should be hard-working and able to manage a project independently, taking initiative and meeting deadlines and finish the PhD training within the stipulated time;
6. Should be able to develop a detailed concept note (pre-proposal) and demonstrate his/her ability to finish it and produce a fully researchable and competitive proposal;
7. Should demonstrate creativity, uncovering hidden issues that will benefit the project, science, and local livelihood in general;
8. The candidate is expected to be frank and willing to respect agreements; believe in project confidentiality and proper data handling and processing;
9. Should demonstrate a willingness to positively contribute to the administrative management of the project;
10. Should demonstrate academic leadership and willingness to supervise Masters students;
11. Should demonstrate good interpersonal skills to interact with other project partners and stakeholders;
12. Should be willing to develop the research at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and continue to contribute to the teaching and research mission of MUST beyond the project’s lifetimePreference will be given to candidates that are already members of staff (or collaborators) of Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Still, Ugandan candidates outside these institutions are welcome to apply.

    Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

    Application Procedure

    The application should include:

    1. A concept (not more than 5 pages) is mandatory. The Concept note must include a title for the proposed study, brief background highlighting key literature, research problem, main research question(s)/objectives, methodology, and a list of key references.
    2. A CV (2 pages)
    3. Certified copies of academic degree documents and transcript of records.
    4. A statement of motivation – why you think you are the best candidate for the PhD position (1 page).
    5. A letter of recommendation from the current employer/immediate supervisor (1 page) – if applicable.
    6. A letter from an academic referee supporting your application – optional (1 page).
    7. A digital copy of your master thesis;

    General Submission Procedure

    Sub Project Five

    The applications should be addressed (and submitted) to the Sub-project-5 leader, Dr. Manasseh Tumuhimbise (tumuhimbise.manasseh@must.ac.ug copy Annah Amwikirize (aamwikirize@must.ac.ug) Deliver hard copy applications to MUST-IUC UCoBS Programme Support Unit offices at MUST Town Campus. For more information, contact aamwikirize@must.ac.ug +256-775888001/701235515

    Interviews

    The selection process will involve two stages – a pre-selection phase between July 6^th– 07^th July 2023. Pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview between July 10^th and 12^th July 2023. Interviews will be held on July 13^th, 2023.  The successful candidate should be ready to start on his/her PhD studies by October 2023.  All applications should be submitted by July 04^th, 2023 by 5:00 pm.