The University of Central Asia (UCA) in partnership with the Cambridge Trust is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for doctoral study at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The scholarships are for students wishing to pursue doctoral studies in the following fields: Computer Science, Engineering, Media and Communications, Business Management or Economics. The fields listed reflect some of the majors in undergraduate programme offered by UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Applicants from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan are strongly encouraged to apply. Students from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and northern Pakistan are also eligible. Applicants must meet UCA’s eligibility benchmarks, and admission criteria to the University of Cambridge.

The scholarships are part of UCA’s ongoing Central Asian Faculty Development Programme (CAFDP) designed to ensure that scholars from the region are strongly represented in UCA’s faculty. Scholarship recipients will be required to work for three years at the University, after the completion of their studies at the University of Cambridge.

UCA is Central Asia’s sole regional university with fully-residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, Khorog, Tajikistan, and Tekeli, Kazakhstan with state-of-the art facilities, small staff — student ratios, and with generous provision for faculty to engage in research.

Interested students are invited to submit their applications to UCA by 17 November 2017.  The deadline for admissions to the University of Cambridge is 6 December 2017 via their online application portal. For further information please contact: cafdp@ucentralasia.org

Early enquiries are welcome.

This partnership between UCA and the Cambridge Trust builds on the quality and standing of both UCA and the University of Cambridge, to enhance the academic quality of UCA’s future faculty.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process – UCA Deadline 17 November 2017
UCA Eligibility Criteria and Process

  1. UCA’s Eligibility criteria

All applicants will first be required to meet the eligibility criteria that includes:
• Citizenship of Central Asian countries, particularly UCA founding states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
• Citizens of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and northern Pakistan are also eligible.
• Higher education degree with excellent academic records from a recognised university.
• Demonstrated competency in chosen discipline.
• A sound research PhD proposal.
• Interest in a PhD programme in fields reflecting UCA academic listed priorities.
• Interest in a career within academia, including research and teaching.
• Excellent English language or skills (TOEFL IBT 90 scores, IELTS 7 scores).
• Official GMAT or GRE report within the past five years (for some programmes).

2. Documentation required for UCA:
Please send the following application documents in English to cafdp@ucentralasia.org no later than 5pm Friday 17 November 2017, Kyrgyz Republic time:
1. A summary CV (3 pages maximum)
2. A copy of your picture page on your passport (1 page)
3. Personal Statement outlining your short and long-term career goals, field of study and research interests, reason for applying to the CAFDP, and what makes you a good candidate for CAFDP (3 pages maximum).
4. Related Diploma Transcripts
5. A short research PhD Proposal (3 pages maximum)
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview before 1 December 2017. Only selected candidates will then be invited to submit a full online application by 6 December 2017 to the University of Cambridge to secure admission.
Scholarship recipients will be required to work for three years at UCA after the completion of their studies at the University of Cambridge.
The Central Asian Faculty Development Programme Team

Contacts for further information:
For Regional Queries
Adina Asanova
School of Arts and Sciences
University of Central Asia
Email: cafdp@ucentralasia.org
Tel: +996 (0) 312 910 822 (ext. 602)
138 Toktogul Street, 720001, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
For International Queries

Salim Sumar, PhD
Head, Central Asian Faculty Development Programme
University of Central Asia
Email: cafdp@ucentralasia.org
UK Mobile: +44 798 588 4720
138 Toktogul Street, 720001, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic