PhD Fellowships opportunity at KU School of Education

Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED) announces four full-time PhD fellowships for Nepali citizens starting from January 2016. 

The fellowships are provided by the project “Locating Public Finance Dynamics in Education in Nepal”, which is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark and implemented in collaboration amongst Martin Chautari (Lead Institution, Nepal), Kathmandu University (Nepal), and Aarhus University (Denmark).  The candidates are expected to conduct research within the broad theme of public finance dynamics in education in Nepal. Each candidate is required to work in one of the following four themes under close supervision of the principal researchers in the project: 

  • (i) a historical study of accounting and auditing regimes in schools, 
  • (ii) an anthropological study on corruption as a form of everyday governance, 
  • (iii) a political economy study on transitional political arrangements and good governance, or, 
  • (iv) a sociological study exploring relationships between the localization of authority and public financial governance. 

Further information on the project and research themes is available here.

An open house will be conducted on 31 August 2015 (14 Bhadra 2072), Monday from 11.00 am–1.00 pm at Martin Chautari (27 JeetJung Marg, Thapathali, Kathmandu) in which prospective candidates can meet with the project principal researchers and staff and learn more about the project and the PhD fellowships.

Fellowship Conditions

These fellowships will be provided for a period of 3 years (January 2016–December 2018).  During this period, the selected candidates should devote full-time to the PhD program and complete the PhD within the time frame. If the selected candidate is working, s/he must present a letter of leave for the full 3 years from her/his organization. The candidates will be required to stay at Aarhus University for about 6 months towards the end of their study.

Stipends and Benefits

The fellowship will cover the tuition and research-related costs associated with study at KUSOED.  A monthly stipend will be provided to cover the basic costs of living.  All the costs related to the study stays in Denmark will be covered.  The candidates will be provided with research supervision and access to library resources by Martin Chautari and Aarhus University.

Eligibility Criteria: The applicant should have

  • Completed at least 18 years of formal education;
  • MPhil degree or equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 on a four point scale or 65% in aggregate in previous degree.

Application Process and Required Documents

Applicants should submit the following documents by e-mail (phd-admission@kusoed np) or in person to: Kathmandu University School of Education, Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal. If submitting by e-mail, scanned copies of the following documents are acceptable.

  • Completed application form (available here)
  • Copies of the previous academic degrees (High school/SLC and above)
  • Two letters of academic recommendations (to be sent separately by the referee to phd-admission@kusoed.edu.np with the subject “Letter of Recommendation for [insert name of person] for PhD Fellowship” or in a sealed and signed envelope)
  • Copy of citizenship certificate
  • A CV not more than 2 pages long
  • A full research proposal of not more than 4,000 words in one of the four themes identified above
  • A copy of your best piece of writing (preferably an academic publication but could also be any other piece of published or not published work, thesis, or other document)
  • A bank voucher of NRs 1,000 (application fee) deposited in either of the KU bank accounts (Machhapuchhre Bank Limited – account no. 2022524044147028 or Nepal Investment Bank Limited – account no. 00501030250009). If submitting the application by e-mail, scanned copy of the voucher is acceptable.

The deadline for application is 8 November 2015 (22 Kartik 2072), Sunday, 7.00 pm sharp. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Kathmandu University reserves the rights to make the final decision on candidate selection.

Selection

The following will be used to select the successful candidates.

  • Quality of the application documents
  • Written test of eligible candidates, to be held on 19 November 2015/3 Mangsir 2072, Thursday
  • Interview and presentation of research proposal, to be held on 22 November 2015/6 Mangsir 2072, Sunday

The selected candidates will be informed of the decision on 29 November 2015 (13 Mangsir 2072), Sunday. Candidates will begin the program on 3 January 2016 (19 Poush 2072), Sunday.

For further information, please contact

Associate Dean

School of Education, Hattiban

Phone: +977-9801670041

Email: bcluitel@kusoed.edu.np