Postgraduate Scholarship, Melbourne , Australia

Postgraduate Scholarship Avaliable - La Trobe University, Melbourne , Australia
Two Year Postgraduate Scholarship in Emotionally Intelligent ICTs for Social Innovation School of Business
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
As part of an Open Innovation Research Program with global electronics corporation NEC Japan, Masters by Research scholarships are available for deserving candidates.
Background
Sensemaking is an emerging paradigm for understanding social dynamics in organisations. It postulates that the process of translating the personal interpretation, knowledge or meaning into a specific behaviour, decision or
action is moderated by interaction of an individual’s rational with their affective characteristics. It proposes to significantly alter the analysis and interpretation of data about people, internet users and employees in an organisation. In general, emotional systems in humans influence many cognitive processes including decision making, focus and attention, goal generation and categorization, all of which are important for design of human-centred intelligent systems.
In this context, ICTs which form an integral part of organisations can be used as effective tools for social innovation. It is envisaged that emotionally intelligent ICTs would play a pivotal role in design of sustainable organisations in the 21st century by improving the quality of life at work (e.g., through design of emotionally cohesive and culturally fit teams) and at home, by provision of emotionally intelligent health care and health promotion systems (especially for the elderly) to help control spiraling health care costs, and by facilitating travel and e-tourism through emotionally intelligent e-tourism systems.
The postgraduate students will be expected to work on the following research projects
1. Human-centred intelligent system for constructing emotionally cohesive and culturally fit teams.
2. Emotionally intelligent persuasive dialog system for health promotion.
3. Emotionally intelligent health care (nurse) robot for pre and post-operative care.
4. Emotionally Intelligent e-tourism system for holiday destination planning and sight seeing.
The postgraduate students will be supervised by a research team consisting of researchers from La Trobe university and NEC Corp., Japan. The research team is headed by La Trobe’s Associate Prof. Rajiv Khosla. An annual stipend of up to AUD 25,000 per annum for 2 years is available from Jan 2009 for deserving candidates. The annual stipend includes a research internship for 6 months each year (i.e., in 2009 and 2010) at NEC’s technologically advanced research lab in Japan.
Eligibility Requirements:
The prospective candidate must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or equivalent with an average of 80% or above.
Interested candidates can contact Associate Prof. Rajiv Khosla (r.khosla@latrobe.edu.au ) directly with your CV, academic transcripts, .and relevant R&D experience. The candidates must also include a covering letter with a brief description outlining the research project they are interested in and relevant skills for the project. Knowledge in areas like emotional intelligence, natural language processing, affective computing and human-centred e-tourism would be a benefit.

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MA History of Medicine, University of Newcastle

The closing date for applications: 30 April 2009.

The School of Historical Studies at Newcastle University is pleased to advertise between 4 and 6 Masters Studentship Awards for Postgraduate study in Newcastle`s Wellcome Trust recognised MA programme in the History of Medicine during the academic year 2009-2010.
The stipends for these awards will be set as follows: Two studentships will be awarded at either £15,000 (including home/EU fees) for full-time home/EU students, or £20,000 (including international fees) for full-time non-EU students of outstanding merit; the other studentships will be awarded at either £5,000 (including home/EU-fees) for meritorious full-time home/EU students, or £10,000 (including international fees) for non-EU students. Part time studentships will be awarded to meritorious applicants at c. half the above rate per annum.

The studentships are funded by the Northern Centre for the History of Medicine and will be available as of September 2009. The Northern Centre is a partnership between the Universities of Newcastle and Durham, and is supported by the Wellcome Trust. Successful applicants will join the postgraduate community based at the School of Historical Studies at Newcastle University. Postgraduate teaching and research supervision in the History of Medicine at Newcastle is delivered by scholars with established international reputations in the field.

Eligibility:
Applications for the studentship are invited from highly motivated graduates from various backgrounds including the Humanities and Social Sciences (e.g. History, Classics, Philosophy, Literature, Religious Studies, Archaeology, Psychology, Sciences, Sociology etc.). Applicants require a good (or predicted) undergraduate degree result (1st or high 2:1) in such a subject. Candidates with a medical background are also strongly encouraged to apply, and the studentship is open to current stage 4 Newcastle medical students who have opted to take the MA in the History of Medicine as an intercalated degree after stage 4 MBBS. Applications from overseas candidates with equivalent qualifications are also very welcome.

Application procedure:
Applicants are asked to send:
i) a CV and list of academic qualifications and experience;
ii) a personal statement and letter of application outlining reasons for wanting to pursue postgraduate study in the history of medicine at Newcastle and highlighting specific research interests (max 300 words),
iii) copies of any relevant certificates and transcripts, and
(iv) letters of recomendation from two academic referees.

Applications should be sent to the Postgraduate Secretary,
Ms Sandra Fletcher,
School of Historical Studies,
University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

For specific inquiries about the studentships and about the MA programme please contact:
Prof. P.J. van der Eijk,
Degree Programme Director,
MA in History of Medicine,
School of Historical Studies & Northern Centre for the History of Medicine,
Newcastle University,
Armstrong Building,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU,
tel: (direct) 0191 222 8262;
email: philip.van-der-eijk@ncl.ac.uk

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Student Loan Consolidation

John Mailer

By consolidating loans, students will be able to ease the pressure on their monthly budget by 10 to 60 per cent reduction in their monthly budget. In fact, students could also save money by using their student loan payment savings to pay off their credit card debts, and consolidation will also help the students' credit scores as well as debt-to-equity ratio.

No doubt, expanding the repayment period may result in added total interest payments, but there are no prepayment penalties for faster repayment and thus allows students to pay off the loan in a shorter time frame, and hence save on total interest payments. The interest rate may be calculated by taking the weighted average of the interest rates on each loan that is to be consolidated, and then rounding off to the nearest eighth of 1 or 8.25 per cent, whichever is less.

Though one may need to consult a tax advisor, usually student loan consolidation allows students to deduct tax paid on Federal Consolidation Loans. Student loan consolidation will help the student to lock in a lower rate of interest as well as provides for many other incentive features.

Student loan consolidation is the easiest way to reduce student and school loan debt, and it results in lowered debt as well as payments in case the average interest after consolidation is less than it was before. One can think of it as being refinancing one or a group of federal student loans at reduced rates of interest and it is much like refinancing a mortgage loan at a reduced interest rate that would lessen monthly payments as well as the total amount paid.

The student loan consolidation program will let a borrower combine outstanding student loans and by consolidating loans through a student loan consolidation program there are three benefits to be enjoyed. The first one is that it is very convenient since all loan payments are clubbed into one payment and thus there is less paper work and fewer due dates. Secondly, it will save money for the student since after consolidation only one payment is required which normally is less than combined payments for all loans paid individually.

The third benefit of having student loan consolidation is that it can open up more opportunities for students in the form of new deferment choices and/or added repayment potential. With added flexibility, the student may be able continue pursuing further education and face lesser financial hardships.

About the Author

John Mailer's articles look at students financial problems and the best student loans consolidation ideas using private student loans. His other site is about the thrills of whitewater rafting

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Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE) for CSU Students

The Assumption Program of Loan for Education (APLE) is a teacher incentive program designed to encourage students to become California teachers in a range of critical teacher shortage areas and in several types of high need schools. Administered by the California Student Aid Commission, the program assumes up to $19,000 in outstanding educational loan balances in return for four consecutive years of qualifying teaching service.

To qualify for the APLE loan forgiveness program, you must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 60 semester, or 90 quarter, undergraduate units
• Be enrolled in either a program leading to a BA or a California teaching credential
• Be approved to receive or have received an educational loan
• Not be in default on any educational loan
• Agree to teach in a CA public school in one of the areas listed below for at least four years
  • Mathematics (Grades 7 - 12)
  • Science (Life/Physical) (Grades 7 - 12)
  • English and Language Arts
  • Foreign Language
  • Special Education
  • Low-Income Area School
  • Low-Performing School
  • School Serving Rural Area
  • State Special School
  • School with a High Percentage of Emergency Permit Teachers

  Here is to signup http://aple.csusuccess.org/step1

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MA Scholarships 2009, University of Sussex, UK

Deadline: May 1, 2009.

The University of Sussex, masters programmes in International Security. The programmes are taught across four departments and build upon a strong foundation of interdisciplinary. The programmes are set out below and examine the relevant issues from a challenging and critical perspective.

For more information visit: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/internationalsecurity

• LLM Law and International Security
• MA Conflict, Security and Development
• MA Geopolitics and Grand Strategy
• MA International Security
• MA Strategic and Security Studies
• MSc Security Technologies and Systems

To apply for a scholarship visit

• UK/EU scholarships - £1,000.
  http://www.sussex.ac.uk/scholarships_and_bursaries/pg/uk/International_Security_Scholarships.php
• Non-UK/EU scholarships - £3,500
  http://www.sussex.ac.uk/scholarships_and_bursaries/pg/overseas/international_security.php

International Security Open Day
To enable you to find out more about International Security at Sussex, the University is holding an Open Day on Wednesday 18 March 2009.

To book your place visit: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/pgrad/open-days/internationalsecurity/

Postgraduate Open Day
If you are unable to attend the International Security Open Day, the University’s annual Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday 28 January also provides an opportunity to find out more about International Security.

To find out more and to book your place visit: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/pgrad/open-days/

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Australia PhD Scholarships for Research in Indonesia

Australia PhD Scholarships for Research in Indonesia on Community and Local Govt Issues
Deadline: no later than February 2009.

Expressions of interest are sought for two PhD scholarship positions to carry out field research in Indonesia on community, environment and local governance issues.
The successful candidates will work with a team of experienced researchers - Dr Greg Acciaioli (UWA), A/Prof Anton Lucas and Dr Jim Schiller (Flinders), Dr John McCarthy (ANU), and A/Prof Carol Warren (Murdoch), as well as collaborating researchers in the Netherlands and Indonesia on an Australian Research Council Discovery Project entitled `Social Capital, Natural Resources and Local Governance in Indonesia`. The project will focus on case studies of local decision-making on environmental issues in the context of conservation and development programs in different regions of Indonesia. It aims to improve understanding of contemporary community dynamics in a range of cultural and ecological settings, as well as the practical implications of local participation and capacity building interventions for achieving equity and sustainability outcomes.

The two candidates will be based at Flinders University in Adelaide and Murdoch University in Perth respectively, with location and supervision determined by the focus and site of each student`s component of the project. It is anticipated that one student will work in a coastal community where marine conservation issues are the focus of research, while the second student will focus on a primarily agrarian research site in which World Bank / AusAID / NGO local capacity building, conservation and development projects are being conducted.

Essential criteria include:
* a first-class Honours or Masters degree with a thesis component in a relevant social science field
* advanced fluency in Indonesian language
* field research or other equivalent community/overseas experience
* ability to work independently and as part of a team

Potential applicants should send an initial expression of interest (2 pages) addressing the following points:
a) personal details - name, birth date, citizenship status, address, phone and email
b) academic qualifications - degrees, major areas of study, undergraduate grade point average, honours result
c) title of honours thesis or other significant piece of research, and a brief account of the main argument and approach/methodology adopted
d) level of competence in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
e) level of proficiency in the Indonesian language
f) study, work or volunteer experience in Indonesia
g) research interests
h) contact information for two referees who can comment on your academic background and suitability for undertaking this research project

Each scholarship is for a three-year period with a stipend of $25,118 per annum (tax free) and up to $10,000 of additional funding for fieldwork in Indonesia. A relocation allowance will be provided where a move to Adelaide or Perth is required to join the project.

A shortlist will be determined by the research team in September, at which point applicants will be requested to submit full formal applications and documentation to either Flinders or Murdoch University. The successful candidates are expected to take up their appointments no later than February 2009.
Please forward initial expressions of interest as outlined above by email to:
Professor Carol Warren,
Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University
c.warren@murdoch.edu.au

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USAID Master Degree Scholarship 2009

Deadline: November, 15

Scholarship opportunities to study in the USA for:
• Master`s Degrees in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management.
• Master`s Degrees in Water and Sanitation.

Training has long been a key component of the U.S. government`s development program in Indonesia. USAID/ Indonesia plans to support the tradition through the Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) program that will provide academic degree training. The HICD program is structured in a way that will help individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, and the capacity to support Indonesia`s development and the achievement of the Government of Indonesia/USAID` s objectives.

USAID has awarded a contract to the Academy for Educational Development (AED), a U.S. non-government organization (NGO) to support the implementation of the HICD program in Indonesia. AED is now inviting Indonesian citizens to study for Master`s Degrees in the USA in
1) Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management and
2) Water and Sanitation.

1. Master`s Degrees in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management.
Eligible candidates may come from the Ministry of Forestry, Environment, Development Planning, Research and Development, Finance, Economy or other related government institutions including provincial and district level offices and regulators; civil society groups (Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management Associations, NGOs and Foundations) ; or professionals in fields related to sustainable development with international or local organizations who have strong potential for leadership, research, education, journalism and consultancy in the same field.

Candidates with experience working in geographical areas with high biodiversity conservation value will be prioritized. An indicative list would include Kalimantan, Sumatera, Papua, Sulawesi and NTT.

Every attempt will be made to balance candidate selection by gender.

2. Master`s Degrees in Water and Sanitation.
Eligible candidates may come from related government Institutions, civil society groups (Water and Sanitation Associations, NGOs, and Foundations), water and sanitation professionals/ environmental engineers working in the development sector with international or local organizations, and faculty from schools of Water and Sanitation/Environm ental Engineering at accredited Indonesian universities.

Candidates from the following areas in Indonesia will be prioritized: Aceh, North Sumatera, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java and East Java .
Previous affiliation of the institution with USAID whether as a beneficiary or partner program will be viewed favorably.

Every attempt will be made to balance candidate selection by gender.

Interested applicants, may request application forms at info@aed.or.id or download them at www.aminef.or.id

Completed application forms must be returned to the AED office at the address below by November 15 at the latest:

Academy for Educational Development
Wisma Nugra Santana, 16th Floor, Suite 1616,
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 7-8, Jakarta 10220.

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