DEADLINE: 31 AUGUST 2022
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) at KNUST is a partnership between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi in Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation, Toronto in Canada. The focus of this partnership is to train a generation of ethical and transformative leaders to contribute significantly to societal change and the development agenda of Africa.
Under the partnership, KNUST is mandated to provide comprehensive scholarships to train altogether 2,250 scholars over a 15-year period (750 scholars in Phase I - 2013-2023 and 1500 scholars in Phase II - 2019-2029).
The Program selects young Africans who are academically talented, exhibit leadership potential yet are economically disadvantaged. The current focus of the Program is to give priority to marginalized groups that fit the criteria for selection and the targets are;
• 70% Females
• 25% Officially documented Displaced Persons (both internally displaced persons-IDP’s and Externally displaced Persons-Refugees)
• 10% Persons with Disability
Therefore, MCFSP at KNUST recruits economically deprived Ghanaian scholars from largely rural senior high schools with comparatively fewer learning resources and manpower; though a number of deprived scholars are also recruited from resourced senior high schools. The International scholars are similarly recruited from other African countries INCLUDING ESWATINI using the criteria set in the mandate either directly or through partner organizations.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers an opportunity for her scholars to receive holistic training that empowers them to become effective change leaders. The Program provides an array of services including mentorship, ethical leadership seminars, skills training, etc. that will lead to the scholar’s academic success, community engagement and transition to employment opportunities which will equip the scholar to be a global citizen
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS
i. Full payment of School fees for the entire period of study, subject to the Provisions of the Scholars Program.
ii. Payment of residential fees for campus accommodation.
iii. A monthly stipend as determined and adjusted as need be by the Scholars Program
iv. A supplementary daily evening meal served at the scholar’s residence
v. A one-off provision of a personal laptop to facilitate studies as well as other course related works.
vi. Accountable allowance for books, stationery, some modest equipment and academic related costs. However, lack of proper accountability shall be grounds for the late payment of a scholar’s allowances or perhaps forfeiting them altogether, depending on the circumstances.
vii. Medical insurance shall cover all scholars while on campus, and school is in session, for the entire duration of one’s program of study; and receipted medical bills will be paid for.
viii. All investigation for a medical procedure shall start from KNUST hospital and moved on recommendation to other specialist facilities. This means scholars cannot suddenly show up with medical bills from private facilities.
ix. Counseling Support Services (including academic, educational, and short-term psychosocial and emotional problems)
x. Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Enterprise Development as well as uniquely sourced internships with industry for Professional development)
xi. Continued academic support through academic mentoring, virtual learning, and tutoring.
xii. Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring
In addition, non-Ghanaian (i.e. international students) also get the following benefits,
i) the Office of MCFSP at KNUST shall purchase an annual return flight from and to home country and pay for any ancillary charges as COVID fees, for the entire duration of a scholar’s programme.
ii) The Office shall undertake the processing of each international scholar’s residence permit.
iii) The Office shall undertake Processing of non-citizen Ghana Card. A Scholar shall submit his or her passport to the Secretariat within the first week of arrival for his or her residence permit and non-citizen Ghana Card processed in due time. It shall be returned to the scholar upon completion.
KNUST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
GCE/IGCSE (CAMBRIDGE) ‘A’ & ‘O’LEVELS/MATURE APPLICANTS Holders of GCE/IGCSE must have FIVE credits at the ‘O’ Level including English Language and Mathematics (or its approved equivalent), plus passes in at least THREE (3) subjects at the Advanced Level/Three Credits in the case of mature applicants. In addition, the applicant must fulfill the appropriate Faculty or Departmental requirements.
Scholarship Eligibility for the 2022/2023 Academic year:
At the time of application, all prospective candidates must have in their possession, a genuine and valid GCE O ‘Level & A ‘Level or their equivalent results from an accredited/recognized institution. Applicant’s results must not be more than five years old.
The candidates must further meet KNUST’s Admission Requirements. The scholarship is awarded contingent on the premise that the applicant is successfully admitted into a program at KNUST.
For admission into KNUST Ghanaian applicants need to purchase an E voucher for the purpose and fill the application for admission whenever the online portal opens
international applicants are instructed to visit the same address and select the option for International students only.
NO AWAITING RESULTS candidate will be processed for the scholarship.
The Applicant must demonstrate that he/she has Critical Economic Needs.
The Applicant must have Proven Records of Leadership and Community Engagement(s).
Priority shall be given to female applicants, displaced Persons (Certified Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, etc.), and Persons with Disability
The Applicant must be prepared to Go-Back and Give-Back to his or her Community.
The Applicant must NOT be enrolled in any tertiary institution.
Eligible candidates for the scholarship can apply by downloading the application form
The scholarship application form is free and has a feature of a “2022” watermark.
Qualified applicants should apply for the scholarship as soon as they can. Do not wait until admissions are open at KNUST.
Completed application forms must be sent via courier mail (Eg. EMS, DHL, Fedex, UPS) to the address below:
The Program Manager
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST
Africa Hall Road, Impact Building
PMB KNUST,
Kumasi, Ghana.
International Applicants Should Note and attach copies of their original certificates of their results or their equivalent results.
Additional Information:
The application for the scholarship is a staggered ongoing process, from mid-March to end of September, 2022.
There will be 3 interviews in sequence conducted by 3 independent panels and at each stage, unsuccessful candidates would be notified.
For Ghanaian applicants, there would be unannounced on-site visits.
Successful applicants would be written to only when their results have been verified, interviewed 3 times and for Ghanaian applicants visited.
There are absolutely No Charges/ Fees/ Facilitation/ Agents or Intermediaries Required at any stage of this process.
Inaccurate information or fraudulent misrepresentation on the part of any applicant and any attempt to influence the process will lead to disqualification and a recommendation for dismissal.
The decisions of the Terminal Selection Committee are Final.
Telephone numbers, Skype IDs and email addresses provided by applicants should be Active at all times to receive critical information on their application.
For further enquiry and assistance on how to apply, please contact the Secretariat on +233-206-030-790 / +233-3220-62975 or email us at mcfsecretariat@knust.edu.gh or mcfknust@gmail.com
Applicants shall not contact the Secretariat under any circumstances on the status of their application. The Secretariat would inform and contact applicants as necessary.
Some Details of the Scholarship Package:
Comprehensive financial support (full tuition, fully paid on-campus accommodation, learning materials, transportation allowance and a full-year monthly stipend).
Counselling Support Services
Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development, and Enterprise Development, amongst others)
Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus on personal and professional development opportunities and activities tailored to build societal relationships and scholars’ capacity.
Continued academic support through academic mentoring, virtual learning, and tutoring.
Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring (Go-back Give- Back),
Uniquely sourced internships with industry for Professional development.
The prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.
APPLY: https://mcf.knust.edu.gh/