Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships Open For Students
Photo: EPA
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), a UK Government-led initiative operating under the Blue Planet Fund, has unveiled the OCPP Scholarships Maldives.
Funded through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, these scholarships aim to provide a distinctive opportunity for students from the Maldives to pursue fully funded Master’s programs in marine science.
The applications for fully funded OCPP Scholarships are now open. These are 2-year Masters Courses based at the University of South Pacific. https://t.co/AGTqnsJl3d
Application deadline: 28 Nov 2023
Selected scholars will be commencing their studies in February 2024. pic.twitter.com/DnUMHjC82X— EPA Maldives (@EPAMaldives) November 7, 2023
Delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the OCPP Scholarships target early to mid-career researchers in the Maldives aspiring to establish their careers in marine science.
Hosted at The University of the South Pacific, the scholarships intend to equip students with the technical expertise necessary to engage in research, fostering solutions to marine environmental challenges.
The scholarships encompass various potential projects and research topics, including but not limited to:
– Mitigating marine pollution from land-based and aquatic sources to enhance livelihoods and environmental health.
– Enhancing understanding of marine biodiversity to support robust marine ecosystems.
– Exploring avenues for better marine environment management, potentially through mechanisms such as marine protected areas.
The scholarships encompass a range of benefits, encompassing tuition fees (including general and health fees), living allowances, research support grants, and travel grants. Additionally, dependent, disability, and maternity costs are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students awarded the OCPP Scholarships Maldives will commence their studies in person at one of the University of the South Pacific’s campuses in the South Pacific region, primarily in Fiji.
While the initial phase is held in person, the latter part of the degree program might be completed remotely, subject to the requirements of the individual’s research project.
Eligibility criteria for prospective Master’s degree applicants are:
– Citizenship and normal residence in the Maldives.
– Working experience in the areas of environment, fisheries, and aquaculture science.
– Possession of an undergraduate or bachelor’s-level degree.
– Provision of an overview detailing interest areas that could lead to future research topics.
– Meeting the University of the South Pacific’s eligibility criteria for postgraduate study.
The available Master’s degree programs include Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geospatial Science, Marine Science, and Climate Change.
Interested applicants are required to complete their applications through the online application form on the ACU website before the deadline of November 28, 2023. It is strongly recommended that applicants thoroughly review all application guidelines and FAQs prior to submission.