Fund for Cooperation and Knowledge
Fund for Cooperation and Knowledge - VII edition - academic year 2016-2017
The new call in online! The Fund is intended to provide scholarships to students from Developing Countries, who wish to study one year at the University of Pavia, and to UNIPV students who would like to spend some months in a Developing Country for studying, researching and/or training. The Fund and the selection of the students are managed by a Committee composed by students, professors and officers of the University of Pavia.
The Committee will select - among the applicants – the students who will receive a scholarship for the Academic Year 2016-2017. There is a call for applications currently opened to candidates from Developing Countries.
The new call for application is for one scholarship in the field of Engineering.
Click here to dwonload the call for applications
Click here to dwonload the application form
The deadline is 12.00 pm (Italian time) of the 27 May 2016.
Work schedule:
- April/May 2016: opening of the call for applications;
- May 2016: collection of the applications;
- June 2016: selection of the winning student;
- June 2016: defining the program of the selected student;
- September 2016: the Program starts;
- A.Y. 2016-2017: carrying out of the Program;
- July 2017: the first part of the Program ends. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
For further information, read the FAQ or ask by email to fund.cooperation@unipv.it (due to the high number of questions received everyday by email, only those which cannot be answered by reading very carefully the call for applications and the FAQs will get a reply).
FAQ
- I have written to fund.cooperation@unipv.it but I didn’t get an answer. Why?Only questions which cannot be answered by reading very carefully the Call for Applications, the Application Form and the FAQs section will receive an answer by email.
- Who can apply?
Candidates who are citizens of one of the Developing Countries reported in the World Bank list and classified as a low-income economy or as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank (see http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups#Low_income).
You can apply also if you're living in a country other than your Country of origin: for example, if you're living in Italy.
In fact, you have to be citizen of one of the above mentioned Developing Countries.
- Where can I find the application form?
In this page and by following this link.
- Are the scholarships meant for researches?
No.
- Do I need to indicate a particular area of studies on my application form?
Yes. Interested candidates have to fill the application form and they have to indicate the Master Degree they wish to attend selecting it among those ones in the field of engineering indicated in the application form.
- Can I apply for just one semester, or for three months, or for less than one academic year?
No. You might apply for one academic year (about 10 months). Moreover, if you win the scholarship, you should arrive in Pavia in September/October 2015 to complete your first year that ends, approximately, in July 2016.
- Are the courses given in Italian or in English?
You can apply only for one of the Course Degree in Engineering listed in the call for application and on the application form. Lessons of those courses are given in English. you can select on the application form
The courses are generally taught in Italian at Pavia University.
- Which are the Course Degrees I can apply for?
One of the three courses in Enginerring indicated in the call for applications
- Do I need to prove a good command of Italian?
No.
- I'm interested in learning Italian: will there a preliminary Italian language course before starting classes?
The University of Pavia offers intensive Italian courses to foreign students at the beginning of each semester and you might attend them.
- I was not able to find any details of applicants' requirements (such as age, academic profile or area, citizenship restriction, etc.). Is there a document where these requirements are indicated?
An essential applicant requirement is to be a citizen from a Developing Country classified as a low-income economy or as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank (see http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups#Low_income). You have to be born on/after the 1 January 1981. Restrictions related to the academic area: you can aplly only for one of the above mentioned course degrees.
- Can students with the double-nationality apply?
Yes, provided that you’re from a Developing Country classified as a low-income economy or as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank.
- If I am selected and win the scholarships, will my home University recognize my studies at the University of Pavia?
You cannot apply for a scholarship as an exchange student.
- My previous University doesn’t have an agreement of cooperation with the University of Pavia. Can I apply?
Yes. You cannot apply for a scholarship as an exchange student.
- The university I attended does not have a form of cooperation with the University of Pavia. Would that fact decrease my chances of acquiring the Scholarship? In other words, would students from universities that cooperate with the University of Pavia have a better chance of being accepted for a Scholarship?
No.
- I'm currently working and not enrolled in any university, can I apply? In this case, how should I fill the point 5 of the application form? Does my employer need to sign my application?
Yes, you can apply. Insert the University where you studied and graduated. No: your employer doesn't have to sign your application.
- I am working in a public university of my country from where I will get the leave and attend the program at UNIPV. Will I need to submit any additional document?
No.
- I graduated from university some years ago, can I participate in this Program? Or only students who currently study at the universities can participate?
Yes: you can participate. Insert the University where you studied to point 5 of the application form. Attach as well the transcript of records of the degree you obtained.
- My University doesn't give official transcript to students: can i send only my official transcript through post? Can my University send my transcript straight to the University of Pavia?
No.
- I've just finished High School, can I apply?
No.
- I completed my Ph.D in the past and presently working as Research Fellow. I would like to apply for this scholarship Program. Are working people eligible for the application or it is only for the student?
Working people are eligible. However, keep in mind that scholarships are intended for studying one of the course degrees listed above and in the call for applications. To enroll to a PhD or to apply as a Research Fellow is not possible.
- Provided that the scholarship is for one Academic Year, if I win it, can the scholarship be extended for another year?
The scholarship is intended to cover only two semesters (one Academic year) and, so far, it may not be extended.
Then, if you win the scholarship, you are selected for a course which lasts more than one year (a Master usually lasts two years), possibly, you might have to pay the expenses for the following years with your own resources. However, if you complete successfully the first year of your Master Degree you can apply again for a scholarship offered through the Found and there are very good chances to get it.
Besides, consider that to be admitted to certain course-degrees, one may have to satisfy specific requirements to be enrolled and, sometimes, one may have to pass a competitive examination (or an interview) to be admitted. Then, if selected, you'll have to meet those requirements and/or to pass that examination and, if you don't, you'll loose the scholarship.
- Can I request the scholarship in order to attend a Master course or a PhD?
You can request a scholarship to attend only one of the Master courses listed in the application form and in the call for applications. You cannot request a scholarship to attend a PhD.
- I could not get exactly if PhD applicants are eligible to apply. I would like to apply for a Doctorate offered by the University of Pavia: am I eligible for a funding?
No.
- I would like to know whether the scholarship will also cover the tuition fee / cost of study for the whole duration of the programme?
Yes, tuition fees will be waived.
- Does the scholarship include the fee for the course I would like to attend?
Tuition fees will be waived.
- I wish to know if it is a full scholarship that does cover the living expenses and accommodation fees.
The scholarship provides selected students with 8.000 Euros. Students may use this money to pay their board and lodging.
- Does the scholarship cover living cost within 10 months or 12 months?
The scholarship is intended to cover one Academic year and will be paid as monthly installments of 1.000 Euros each. Selected students will receive 8.000 Euros, paid as monthly installments of 1.000 Euros each. They will decide how to spend them, mainly for living.
- I am single parent, can I bring my son/daughter with me to Pavia? Is there any child care in residence hall or I have to find another flat alone?
If selected, you can bring him/her. Selected students usually find an accommodation in one of the residence halls of Pavia, which accept only students, not children. Then, you’ll have to find by yourself either an accommodation in a private flat and a child care for your child. University doesn’t provide such a service.
- I am married. Can I bring my husband/wife with me to Pavia?
If selected, you can bring him/her. Selected students usually find an accommodation in one of the residence halls of Pavia, which accept only students without families. Then, you’ll have to find by yourself an accommodation in a private flat.
- Can I work part time in Pavia to fulfill my financial needs ?
You’ll enter Italy with a student VISA which allows you to work at most 20 hours per week. You better check this information on the website of the Italian Embassy in your Country.
- I am an international student and would like to apply for this scholarship Program to pursue my master degree in your Institution. Would I need to first apply to the University or just apply straight for the scholarship?
Those are two different things. Applying for this scholarship Program (FC&K) doesn't mean to apply also for a Master offered by the University of Pavia. The FC&K is a scholarship Program: applying to it you require a scholarship. If you win the scholarship, you have to be admitted to the course degree you wrote in the application form by doing what the Secretary of that course requires. If you fail and are not admitted, you'll not receive the scholarship. Then, check the admission requirements of the Master you wish to attend by visiting its website. However, candidates might not contact the coordinators of these courses during the application process to ask them to check their CVs.
- Documentation requirements for the scholarship in the Call of applications and in the Master Course specific site are not matching exactly. For example: income statement is not required by the Call for applications but it is required on the Master Course site. Which checklist do I have to follow?
Those are two different things. Applying for this scholarship Program (FC&K) doesn't mean to apply also for the Master you're mentioning. To apply for the scholraship you have to do only and exactly what the Call for Applications of the FC&K requires.
- The information talks about monthly installments and period of one year. The Master Course Degree I wish to attend lasts 2 years. Does it mean I could not finish the degree? Is not going to be monthly allowance during the time of the course?
Scholarships will finance one year. You might have to pay the expenses for the following years with your own resources. However, if you complete successfully the first year of your Master Degree you can apply again for a scholarship offered through the Found and there are very good chances to get it
- In which language should I fill the application form? And what about the attachments?
The Application form must be filled in English. All the attachments must be in English. Only the transcript of records and the medical certificate can be in Italian, provided that they’re translated into Italian by a competent Italian authority in your country.
- What should I write in question number 3 of the application form "proposed arrival date at uni of pavia"? If I win the scholraship, do I have to arrive exactly on that day or I can change it?
The day you would like to arrive to Pavia in order to commence your studies if you win the scholraship. You can change it.
- Should I write specific motivation letter or general one?
Specific.
- I want to apply to a certain Master, let’s say, for example, the International Master Program in Cooperation and Development (Master CD): is that a must to apply to the Institute for Advanced Study (IUSS) for admission before applying to your scholarship or shall I apply directly for the scholarship only?
Those are two different things. Applying to the FC&K doesn't mean to apply for the Master too. The FC&K is a scholarship Program: applying to it you require a scholarship. If you win the scholarship, you have to be admitted to the course degree you wrote in the application form by doing what the Secretary of that course requires. If you fail and are not admitted, you'll not receive the scholarship.
- I want to enroll to one of the listed Master Degrees, e.g. the Master in Computer Engineering, only if I get the scholarship. What should I do?
Apply only for the scholarship without asking to the Secretary of the Master to check and evaluate your documents, transcript and CV. In case you’re selected and awarded with the scholarship, then you’ll approach the Secretary of the Master and you’ll receive all the instructions to apply.
-Which step do I have to do first? Applying for the scholarship first? Or applying fir the English taught Master Program first?
Those are two different things. Applying to the FC&K doesn't mean to apply for the Master too. The FC&K is a scholarship Program: applying to it you require a scholarship. If you win the scholarship, you have to be admitted to the course degree you wrote in the application form by doing what the Secretary of that course requires. If you fail and are not admitted, you'll not receive the scholarship.
- I am an undergraduate student and I will graduate this year (June 2016), can I apply for the scholarship? And for the Master?
You could apply for the scholarship and, if selected, you'll have to proceed with the enrolment to the Master. Then, if you fail to meet the entry requirements and are not admitted, you'll loose the scholarship.
- I am a Master Degree holder, but still want to enrich myself by applying to a Master at UNIPV. Am I still eligible to apply for the scholarship?
Yes.
- I am interested in a certain course degree offered by the University of Pavia and I’d like to receive a scholarship financed through this Program in order to attendi t. I wrote to fund.cooperation@unipv.it to require further information about that course and application process for it but I haven’t received any reply. Why?
It is care of the student to find and collect all the relevant information about the course s/he would like to enroll. You'll not get any answer.
- Is the letter of reference the same as the traditional letter of recommendation from a university professor? Is there anything in particular it has to include? Does it have to include my skills and attributes? Is it fine if the letter is written from a dean of a faculty, the rector of a university or a lecturer? Can the letter be written from a person other than a university professor, for example an employer (from my work place)?
Yes, it is a common letter of reference that doesn’t have to include anything in particular. It should refer to your skills, above all academic ones. There's not a standard format for this letter. It must be written by a university professor: it is fine if the letter is written by a dean or a rector or a lecturer (they are regarded as professors as well). Letters written by persons other than university professors will not be considered. The letter must be hand signed and dated (after 27 April 2016).
- Any university professor or lecturer is permitted to write the reference letter or it must be one from the university the applicant graduated from?
Any university professor/lecturer is fine.
- How many letters of reference do I need to sumbit?
One.
- The professor who wrote my letter of reference doesn’t want to give it to me and wants to send it directly. Is it possible?
No. Please, ask you professor to read the call for applications where it is clearly stated that the letter of reference must to be attached to the application form and sent by the applicant.
- Regarding the Medical/Health Certificate. Should it also be certified by the goverment officials in my country (i.e. Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs)? Or could a certificate issued from an M.D. and signed by this M.D. be sufficient?
Yes, an MD’s recent certificate is sufficient.
- I am trying to get the medical certification. However, the doctor got confused when I asked it. Do you have a form that the doctor may fill out? Is my report of a general check up using blood test good enough to use as the certification? If I already have my physical certification, do you want me also to check my mental (psychology) condition? What kind of mental check test do you want?
There’s not a form that the doctor may fill. A general medical certificate is fine and it should states that the candidates doesn’t suffer from mental/physical illnesses. A general check up is fine. You don’t need to consult a psychiatrist and/or a psychologist in order to pass a mental check.
- I fulfill all you requirements, but I am physically disable. If I apply for this scholarship will the Committee consider me?
Yes.
- I have a TOEFL/IELTS test result, can I submit that certificate?
No. It is not a required document.
- Should the transcript be made official by the local government (local authorities)? Or could it be sent as an official document of the university I attended?
It has to be an official document of your university. It is not necessary to involve local government/authorities. However, the transcript of records has to be in English or translated into Italian by a competent Italian authority in your country.
- One of the required documents is a curriculum vitae in the European format. Where can I find this format?
Here: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/img/dynamic/c1344/type.FileContent.file/CVTemplate_en_GB.doc
- Some of the documents required must be recent. How recent should they be?
As indicated in the call for applications.
- Application should be sent by email in one PDF file. Regarding the transcript, if I send the official transcript issued from the university, it may not be possible to scan it, since it would be sealed in an envelope and stamped on the seal by the university. Is it possible in this case to scan an unofficial copy of the transcript (student's copy) and send it by email along with the application?
Yes. Selected candidates will be asked to provided original and authentic copies of the documents they attached by email in order to receive the scholarship.
- Where should I send the application form? Can I send it only by email?
Yes: you have to send it only by email. Send it by email to fund.cooperation@unipv.it : application and all the scanned attachments in one PDF file large at most 5MB. Documents have to be attached in the exact order described in the call for applications, otherwise application will not be considered.
- Can I send the original copy (paper/hard copy) of my application by courier?
No. Applications must be sent only by email
- I should send the original copies of the documents and the signed application to the University of Pavia by email, and not through the Embassy. Is that correct?
Yes. You don’t have to send your documents through the Italian Embassy.
- I have sent many emails for requiring more information, but I haven’t received any answer. I wonder why.
Due to the high number of questions received everyday by email, only those which cannot be answered by reading very carefully the call for applications, the application form and the FAQs will get a reply. Then, please, read the call for applications , the application form and the FAQs very carefully before sending an email to request more information.
- Can I send only the application form by email and all the other documents plus the signed application form by post?
No. You have to send the application form and all the required documents only by email. You have also to sign the application form, scan it and send it by email together with all the attachments.
- How should I submit my application?
Fill the application form, print it, sign it, scan it and send it and all the attachments by email to fund.cooperation@unipv.it in one PDF file larger no more than 5MB.
Deadline is 12.00 pm (Italian time) of the 27 May 2016.
FUND FOR COOPERATION & KNOWLEDGE
In 2009, the University of Pavia and its students created the ‘Fund for Cooperation and Knowledge’. The Fund is intended to finance scholarships for students of developing countries who wish to study in Pavia and for students of UNIPV who want to spend some time in a developing country to study, to carrying on researches, or to do an internship.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributed to the first cohort of the Fund (A.Y. 2010 -2011). On that occasion, 7 foreign students and 13 students of UNIPV received a scholarship.
The Fund and the selection of the students are managed by a Committee composed of seven students, seven members of UNIPV staff; and, for the first cohort only, there was also a member representing the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Within the sisth cohort of the Fund (A.Y. 2015-2016), 4 foreign students and 15 UNIPV students were awarded with a scholarships.
For further information, read the FAQ or ask via email to fund.cooperation@unipv.it (due to the volume of questions received everyday by email, only those which cannot be answered by carefully reading the call for applications and the FAQs will get a reply.
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