The Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria, offers eighty four-week residential continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for qualified librarians from Sub-Saharan Africa, for the period 2014 – 2016.
Programme Details
The aim of the programme is to:
- Empower the next generation of library and information professionals within Sub-Saharan African countries with hands-on skills to apply current and emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs);
- Build capacity amongst library and information services (LIS) professionals to support and enable researchers.
Worth of Award
- Only participants from Carnegie partner institutions and countries namely Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, will be considered for the programme.
- The funding covers books and other academic expenditures, flights, accommodation, and a daily stipend while in Pretoria.
- Medical insurance for non-South Africans.
- Visa applications, personal expenses (for example medicine, laundry, internet top-ups, phone calls, etc.) are excluded. The grant also does not make provision for ICT equipment such as laptops, modems, etc.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be:
- Academic librarians and LIS faculty in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda are eligible to apply for admission to this programme.
- Selection of candidates for this fully funded programme will be highly competitive and will be based inter alia on the following criteria:
- Current qualifications: at least a first degree in LIS from a government recognised and or accredited tertiary education institution. Applicants with postgraduate degrees will also be eligible for selection if they comply with other criteria listed;
- Age eligibility 25 – 45 years;
- Work experience 5 – 7 years
- Exceptions, for age and work experience, will be considered on a case by case basis when accompanied by a strong motivational letter from their manager or director;
- The availability of the required technologies in your current work environment or library;
- Past academic performance;
- Proficiency in English;
- Potential to explore and embrace emerging technologies;
- Willingness and ability to share what is learned with others in the profession;
- Demonstrated commitment of participant’s home institution to supporting sharing and future development activities;
- Willingness and ability to work as a team member;
- Interest in current international library issues.
How to Apply
The following documents should be emailed to Joan de la Haye at [email protected]:
- A detailed CV (according to the specified template available here) which describes your work experience, current job description and responsibilities: involvement in ICTs combined with support of researchers will be a prerequisite. Also include a detailed description of ICT-related job responsibilities, knowledge of ICT technologies and programmes, and ICT-related training;
- A recommendation letter from your current employer / line manager, highlighting your current levels of technology skills;
- A commitment from your current employer that they will make time available for you to attend the four week programme as well as time to devote to your assignments after completing the programme;
- Academic documents and transcripts
- Prospective students will be required to write an essay of approximately 1000 words explaining why they:
- would like to participate in the programme, what they hope to learn from the programme,
- should be selected for the programme and what they hope to contribute to the programme.
Applicants should demonstrate the following in their essays:
o Potential to explore and embrace emerging technologies;
o Willingness and ability to share what is learned with others in the profession;
o Demonstrated commitment of participant’s home institution to supporting sharing and future development activities;
o Willingness and ability to work as a team member;
- Interest in current international library issues.
Deadline: Application closes on April 29, 2014.
Click here to read official announcement.