PHA-Exch> SOPH, UWC : PhD Scholarships Advert South Africa

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Lynette Martin lmartin at uwc.ac.za




University of the Western Cape,  Community & Health Sciences Faculty
PhD Bursaries Available in HIV & AIDS Research for 2009

3 PhD BURSARIES:  DBBS/VLIR PROGRAMME

The University of the Western Cape has an established tradition as a
university committed to the needs of a society in transition, using its
academic mandate as a lever for societal change. In collaboration with
Flemish partners (VLIR) UWC has established the Dynamics of Building a
Better Society programme (DBBS). The DBBS label speaks strongly of UWC's
ongoing commitment to align its education mandate with that of establishing
a new political, social and economic order in South Africa. DBBS fosters
hope by supplying the relevant knowledge to those in a position to make a
difference.

HIV is the most important public health problem of our time. In South
Africa, the National Department of Health estimates that 5.54 million South
Africans were living with HIV in 2005, an estimated prevalence of 10.8%. As
a result of HIV, SA is one of 22 high burden TB countries and has the fifth
highest number of notified TB cases in the world. Important contributing
factors to the spread of HIV are gender power imbalances and gender-based
violence. It is increasingly recognised that in order to decrease the burden
of HIV/AIDS and other diseases in developing countries health systems
(including human resources, health information systems and support services)
must be strengthened.

The DBBS programme has included as one of its priorities "Transforming
Health & Education Policies & Systems for Improved HIV Prevention & Care".
 The overall academic objective is to develop sustainable HIV-related
research capacity in a multidisciplinary HIV Research Centre housed in the
School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences. The
overall development objective is to transform health and education policies
and systems with the aim 1) to decrease the burden of HIV and TB, 2) to
improve the impact of education on HIV/AIDS prevention and 3) to develop
initiatives for prevention of and response to gender-based violence.

In the 2009 academic year the UWC DBBS programme will be offering three (3)
PhD bursaries in the area of HIV and AIDS research. One bursary will be
awarded within each of the following concentration areas:
*       HIV/TB & Health Systems
*       HIV & Education, and
*       HIV & Gender-Based Violence/Reproductive Health

Applicants are required to complete an application form (attached) and
submit two confidential referee reports. Candidates will be shortlisted and
the shortlisted candidates' applications are shared with the Flemish project
leaders for input and consideration. Interviews will be conducted locally
with the shortlisted candidates by a UWC/Flemish panel. The DBBS HIV & AIDS
Project Management Committee in conjunction with the Flemish project leaders
make the final decision with respect to the award of the DBBS scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Renewal is dependent on the
student's annual progress and informed by a supervisor progress report. Each
bursary will be for 3 years maximum.

In line with the University's commitment to transformation, applications
from the designated groups will be given priority consideration. The
University reserves the right not to make a scholarship award or to make the
award at a lower level. We will not acknowledge applications and only
unsuccessful short-listed candidates will receive regret letters.

Applications should be submitted to Carnita Ernest (cernest at uwc.ac.za ) by
 6th October 2008.
Contact Dr Patricia Struthers (pstruthers at uwc.ac.za) with any questions or
queries regarding the DBBS/VLIR programme.

2 PhD BURSARIES:  CDPC PROGRAMME


In the 2009 academic year Irish Aid and the Combat Diseases of Poverty
Consortium (CDPC) will be awarding two (2) PhD bursaries in the area of HIV
and AIDS research, specifically in the area of Access and Adherence to ARV
Treatment for HIV.   Each bursary will be for three years maxiumum,
renewable annually depending on the candidate's performance.

Applicants are required to be fluent in Afrikaans and English and fluency in
Xhosa would be an advantage. In addition, applicants are required to make
themselves available for extensive fieldwork, and to travel to Europe for up
to four consecutive months during the course of their bursary.

Applicants must complete an application form, and submit two written
confidential referee reports. Candidates will be shortlisted and the
shortlisted candidates' applications are shared with the Irish project
leaders for input and consideration. Interviews will be conducted locally
with the shortlisted candidates by a UWC/Irish panel. The Project Management
Committee in conjunction with the Irish project leaders will make the final
decision with respect to the award of the Irish Aid/CDPC scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Renewal is dependent on the
student's annual progress and informed by a supervisor progress report. The
successful applicants will be working as part of an interdisciplinary team
at UWC.

In line with the University's commitment to transformation, applications
from the designated groups will be given priority consideration. The
University reserves the right not to make a scholarship award or to make the
award at a lower level. We will not acknowledge applications and only
unsuccessful short-listed candidates will receive regret letters.

Applications should be submitted to Carnita Ernest (cernest at uwc.ac.za ) by
 6 October 2008
Contact Dr Brian van Wyk (bvanwyk at uwc.ac.za) with any questions or queries
regarding the CDPC programme.

Application forms available on request.






Ms. Lynette Martin
Secretary to Prof David Sanders
School of Public Health
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville, 7535
Cape, South Africa

Tel: 27-21-959 2132/2402
Fax: 27-21-959 2872
Email: lmartin at uwc.ac.za
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