University of Central Asia: The Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP)

The Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP)

Introduction
 The Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP) was established to ensure that from Central Asian, with top international academic credentials are strongly represented in UCA’s faculty. When it launches its undergraduate and graduate programmes, UCA will offer unprecedented opportunities for Central Asian scholars to pursue an academic career with low faculty-student ratios, opportunities for research, excellent facilities, and an organizational culture that places high value on integrity in all facets of its operation. UCA will have extensive international partnerships and state-of-the art communication technology allowing faculty to participate fully in the global intellectual community. Over time, UCA will have a dynamic community of scholars from various disciplines.

Through strategic partnerships with leading universities around the world, CAFDP offers opportunities for Central Asian scholars interested in academic appointments at UCA to pursue studies at the doctoral and masters level (primarily as preparation for doctoral studies). Upon graduation, CAFDP scholars agree to serve as UCA faculty for a minimum of five years. CAFDP graduates will be among UCA’s founding faculty and will play a pioneering role in the development of higher education in the region.

Why UCA CAFDP?
Receive a high quality education at a leading univers ity in Europe, North America and Asia.

  • Be involved in cutting edge and relevant research that contributes to development in the region.
  • Enjoy long term partnerships and collaborations with international education and research institutions
  • Exchange information and ideas across borders and network with the best and brightest minds throughout and beyond the region.
  • Enjoy high quality academic and professional guidance throughout your studies from UCA.
  • Be considered for employment at UCA upon successful completion of a PhD programme.


CAFDP Scholarship Opportunities
CAFDP offers two kinds of support:

Partner Universities Programme
includes financial assistance and placements in programmes negotiated by UCA and its partners around the world.Students receive full financial assistance to cover the costs of tuition, travel, living, medical insurance, and field research. UCA may provide additional support for fieldwork for PhD dissertations. Students are encouraged to apply for external funding. Current CAFDP partners include:

  • National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD), Germany
  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
  • University of Bern, Switzerland
  • University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • University of Exeter, United Kingdom
  • University of Alberta, Canada


Selection of students under this programme is based solely on merit and subject to admission criteria of each university. Application deadines for the Partner Universities Programme vary according to programme, and can be obtained from CAFDP by e-mail.

Individual Funding Scheme
 includes individual support to supplement other funding for students accepted into full-time doctoral programmes at reputable institutions in disciplines and fields that are an academic priority for UCA. Students should have admission to their chosen institution and be receiving some financial assistance from other sources. Students currently enrolled in doctoral programmes requiring additional support are also eligible. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact CAFDP at the early stages of their application process for individual support. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for external grants for their PhD programme and UCA will provide support in the application process.

The Individual Funding Scheme programme does not provide full funding, but supports applicants who have secured other sources of funding. Scholarships help cover costs in only one of the following categories:

  • Tuition and fees: not to more than 50% of tuition and fees per academic year;
  • Living expenses: students who have succeeded in funding their tuition, through scholarships or tuition waivers, are eligible for partial housing and living funds; or
  • Other: students who have secured all necessary funds but cannot afford additional expenses, such as travel to/from their host country, books and materials are eligible for additional funds.


The maximum eligible grant to the applicants is 50% of the total cost of the programme. Selection of the students for the Individual Funding scheme is based solely on merit and subject to the coherence of their research proposal and the relevance of their PhD programme to UCA academic priorities and programmes. Applications for the Individual Funding Scheme are received twice a year, on March 30 and June 30.

Eligible Disciplines and Fields
CAFDP supports disciplines and fields that are represented in UCA’s undergraduate and graduate programmes. Successful doctoral graduates of CAFDP are expected to master established knowledge and create new knowledge in their chosen field of study, with special relevance to Central Asia.

  • Humanities: history, philosophy, languages, and literature;
  • Social Sciences: economics, political science, sociology/anthropology;
  • Science & Technology: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computing, environmental sciences, geology and engineering sciences;
  • Public Administration & Policy: public administration, public policy, education policy, media and communication;
  • Economic Development & Business: management, finance, entrepreneurship, tourism and leisure;
  • Rural & Regional Development: environment, natural resource management, rural and regional development.


Obligations under CAFDP Scholarships
For all CAFDP scholarships, 50% is awarded as an outright grant and 50% is given as a student loan (conditional bursary). By working for five years at UCA, the loan will be repaid. If a scholar chooses employment elsewhere or does not complete his/her studies, they will be liable for full repayment of the loan within a 3 year period.

Who should apply?
CAFDP is a unique opportunity for aspiring scholars from the region. Ideal candidates are those who:

  • Have a record of academic excellence.
  • Are committed to a career in academia, including conducting groundbreaking research and teaching in a university setting
  • Understand the importance of knowledge and teaching to the social and economic growth of Central Asia
  • Can demonstrate their desire to provide intellectual leadership in Central Asia.


Application Process
Requirements for all CAFDP applicants include:

  • Citizenship of Central Asian countries, particularly UCA founding states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
  • Previous degrees with good academic records
  • Demonstration of competency in chosen discipline
  • A sound research proposal addressing issues relevant to Central Asia, the chosen PhD programme, and UCA academic priorities.
  • Interest in a career within academia, including conducting original research and teaching at a university
  • Excellent knowledge of English language
  • Official GMAT or GRE report within the past five years for some fields and universities

The deadline for the Partner Institutions Programme varies for each programme. Applications for the UCA-Individual Funding Scheme can be submitted twice a year on March 30 and October 30. For application packages for both programmes, please send us an e-mail.

CAFDP - UCA Graduate Fellowship Component
In addition to pursuing their studies at a designated institution overseas, successful CAFDP applicants will also be considered as UCA Graduate Fellows and receive academic and professional support from UCA. This includes:

  • Training in academic practice; ethics in research and teaching; use of information technology in teaching and learning; and other topics that are deemed important for future faculty. UCA may also, as the need arises, provide intensive training in academic writing, research methods, quantitative analysis, and other subjects to assist students in achieving superior results.
  • Support from UCA for dissertation research. This involves assistance in defining a topic and grants for field research in the region. It is anticipated that a significant part of the dissertation writing stage and field research will be conducted in Central Asia, which will be facilitated by UCA.


For more information, please contact:
 Central Asian Faculty Development Programme
CAFDP Coordinator
University of Central Asia
Panfilova 207
Bishkek 720040
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Telephone: +996 (312) 691 822
Send an e-mail

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