The Scholarship-Programme is directed at students from developing countries at Universities in Styria and is meant to contribute to the peaceful coexistence of people from different countries of origin by enhancing equal opportunities, dialogue, intercultural know-how and partnership.
Together with the other programmes it supports their concerns (struggle against poverty, resource conservation, peace-keeping etc.), the establishment and expansion of accordingly qualified personnel and the advancement of educational- and economic systems (capacity and institution development) with lasting effects.
It is complementary to other scholarship programmes and laid out globally, it enhances the ability for independent, creative, critical and self-determined thinking and acting and shall strengthen the competence for innovative problem solving strategies. The Scholarship-Programme contributes to the socially required production of knowledge and awareness, it promotes a global perspective and the creation of the globally educated citizen. It attaches a high significance to regional, international and trans-cultural networks. The programme is co-financed (government, church and private funds and own resources of the recipients of the benefits) and significantly contributes to the economic, social and cultural development of the southern countries.
The Scholarship-Programme is directed at students from Africa, Asia and Latin America who are interested in development policy and who have come to Austria on their own initiatives, in order to complete their education. With their decision for studying abroad, the students have demonstrated a high degree of assertiveness, creativity and mobility. The scholarship will contribute to following up on the right of education also for those critical and intellectual young people who will find poor conditions in their home countries. These aspects will apply still more strongly to women. So scholarships will offer a chance making up for the ethnic, religious, social and regional discrimination, and in individual cases, also for violations of human rights.
The scholarships are divided into:
1. Scholarships for the promotion of students doing masters degrees (application in Austria)
2. Scholarships for the promotion of students doing doctoral degrees (application in Austria)
Through study-accompanying measures (the entire educational measures in the Scholarship-Programme will massively support the publicity for development policy and the intercultural dialogue) - like conducting workshops and seminars on returning home and reintegration, job prospects and job applications as well as respective counselling talks and in-between homeward journeys - the project target of a successful occupational reintegration in the countries of origin can be essentially supported.
The Scholarship-Programme is conceived as a comprehensive programme, which will comprise scholarships, study-accompanying measures and tutoring, study-accompanying training, supporting reintegration and follow up-contacts.
The scholarship programme is co-financed with means from the Government of Styria, the City of Graz, church and private funds.
Students can apply for the scholarships by using the application form between the middle of March till the end of May each year.
Benefits
In addition to the scholarships, the AAI will also hand out general benefits (e.g. for learning aids, visa fees) and allowances for the costs of the university preparation programme to students in need from southern countries.
As the demand for financial support has been constantly growing and as we increasingly have to rely on private funding, we would like to ask you for a contribution to our benefit funds for students from foreign countries.
For further details and application visit the AAI Scholarship Programme for Developing Countries Students in Austria page.
