The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) Scholarship Programme for Leadership Development in Africa was successfully launched in 2017, bringing to realisation a vision of developing young leaders who have a continent-wide development mindset and leaders who can facilitate greater cooperation between African countries.
The scholarship programme enables African students to study in an African country other than their home country and in this way immerse themselves in richness and diversity that the country and its communities have to offer.
By broadening access to education, we see the expansion of openness to ideas and the creation of a network of like-minded leaders who will help promote the performance and tangible progress of our continent. There is no doubt that a more integrated African economy of global scale will accelerate growth, generate positive outcomes and benefit all its communities.
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for a MINDS Scholarship, you must:
- Be a national of an African country, residing in any African country
- Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s outside of your country of citizenship and/ or residency
- Have been formally accepted by one or more MINDS preferred institution/s to pursue postgraduate studies within the following year
- Have obtained at least 70% in each subject/ course in the last two completed years of study
- Produce evidence of demonstrated leadership abilities or potential guided by the questions/ requirements set out in the application form
- Submit a complete online application form (see below) with the required supporting documentation.
To be eligible to receive a MINDS Scholarship, an applicant must have been accepted to study at one of the following institutions:
EAST AFRICA
- African Leadership University, Rwanda
- Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda, Rwanda
- Makerere University, Uganda
- Strathmore University, Kenya
SOUTHERN AFRICA
- African Leadership University, Mauritius
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
- University of Mauritius, Mauritius
- University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
NORTH AFRICA
- Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
- Université Cadi Ayyad, Morocco
- Université Mohammed V, Morocco
WEST AFRICA
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana
- Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria
- University of Development Studies, Ghana
Benefits
The Scholarship will cover some or all of the expenses below, depending on whether a partial or full scholarship is awarded:
- Tuition
- Accommodation and meals
- One return ticket per duration of studies
- A fixed stipend.
Required documents
- All documents uploaded must be in PDF format. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB in size.
- A copy of the data/ bio page of your passport.
- A certified academic transcript/ results slip of the last two years of study.
- A copy of the official acceptance letter from the university. The letter must: Be addressed to the applicant; state the degree which the applicant has been accepted to study; state the academic year at which the degree will commence; state the duration of the course (e.g. one year).
- A copy of a valid study permit or visa OR proof of application. (Optional)
- A detailed CV/ Resume of not more than four (4) single sided pages.
- Two reference letters (of not more than 3 pages each) addressing the applicant’s demonstration of integrity, their competency and/or potential as a leader and their commitment to the development of the African continent.
Application procedure and deadline
Applications can be completed through the online portal. Application deadline is May 10, 2023.
