RESPECT: 2-Year Fully Funded Master’s Fellowships at Kabale University (KAB)

Scholarship Opportunities

Available positions: Two positions available – one female and one male
Eligible applicants:  Applicants admitted to KAB’s Master’s programme for the 2024/2025 year within the units of Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Education, or Economics.
Prioritised applicants:  See selection criteria on next page.
Application deadline: Monday, August 05, 2024 at 5 pm (17:00 hours) EAT

About RESPECT

RESPECT (Responsible Critical Thinking) for human rights of marginalized groups is a two-year collaborative project between Kabale University (KAB) in Uganda, and Lund University (LU) in Sweden. In relation to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Target 16.7 – ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels – the project aims at promoting democratic development and social justice for marginalised groups in East Africa through relevant postgraduate research. Specific attention is given to the Batwa Community in the Kigezi Region of Uganda, although human rights of other marginalised groups in the East African region are of interest as well.

RESPECT is funded by the Swedish Institute (2024?2026) in order to contribute to existing institutional efforts of establishing postgraduate research on Human Rights at KAB. Against this background, we are looking for two (2) committed and enthusiastic individuals (one female and one male) who wish to contribute to the research capacity building of KAB in line with the research profile of RESPECT. Support will include:

  • Full tuition fees per student for two years (4 semesters)
  • Full functional fees per student (4 semesters)
  • Support for each students’ Master’s research project in line with the RESPECT Project objectives. E.g., this includes financial support to the student’s fieldwork, and payment for research permits.
  • Academic and research mentorship by renowned researchers from KAB and LU.

RESPECT: Knowledge and skills to develop trough postgraduate research

  • Theoretical/disciplinary perspectives on human rights
  • Responsible critical and creative thinking on societal challenges for marginalised populations
  • Participatory research within marginalised populations in East Africa
  • Mixed methods analytical skills using quantitative and qualitative approaches
  • Scholarly collaboration across disciplines
  • Communicating evidence to policy makers to inform implementation strategies

RESPECT: Expectations of the awarded applicants

  1. Attainment of normal academic progression every semester.
  2. Completion of a RESPECT-profiled master’s thesis before August 2026.
  3. Attending all RESPECT capacity building activities (see Knowledge and skills above). Activities include attending interdisciplinary workshops on campus at KAB, and regular meetings on campus with RESPECT supervisors and international mentors.
  4. Research collaboration with the RESPECT project team, including co-authorship of scholarly reports and articles in line with RESPECT Project priorities.
  5. Support tutoring of undergraduate students at KAB.

 RESPECT: Selection criteria

The positions are awarded to the most qualified female applicant, and the most qualified male applicant, respectively. These applicants will be selected according to the following criteria:

  • Necessary qualifications
  • Evidence of completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized higher education institution in Uganda, or its neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a CGPA of 4.00 and above.
  • Evidence of admission to a Master Program at KAB in the academic units of Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Education, or Economics for the 2024/2025 academic year at KAB.
  • Proficiency in English language, both written and oral.
  • Proficiency in at least one indigenous language of relevance for conducting RESPECT fieldwork within Uganda and/or its neighbouring countries.
  • Strong qualifications (not necessary)

Demonstrated qualifications in one or more of these areas:

  • Personal interest in human rights of marginalised people e.g., via work in NGOs, volunteer activities, corporate social responsibility services, etc.
  • Previous experience of professional teamwork.
  • Skills in communicating with different target groups outside academia.
  • Ability to successfully complete tasks within an agreed schedule.

Note: The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on campus by the project leader and project coordinator in the week of August 12-16. Final selected candidates will be forwarded to the scholarships committee for formal award.

How to apply

Applications are submitted electronically, and should include:

  • CV, see the requested qualifications above (2 pages), with names of two referees
  • Cover letter including statement of research interests and motivation (1 page)
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate and/or related academic transcript
  • Registration to Master’s program at KAB
  • Bachelor thesis authored by the applicant

Mention in the subject line “Application RESPECT Master Fellowship”. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (17:00 hours) EAT on Monday, August 05, 2024, and be sent to both of the following two persons, who can also answer potential questions that you might have: