CAIRO: The School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) announced the launch of a new scholarship program, “The Yousef Jameel GAPP Public Leadership Fellowship.” Over the next 12 years, the Jameel Public Leadership fellowships will enable 25 Egyptians annually to pursue a fully paid master's degree in public administration, public policy, global affairs, international human rights law or journalism and mass communication. In addition, fellows will be entitled to spend a semester abroad at one of the international universities with which GAPP has an exchange agreement. The range of choices they have includes, but is not limited to, Cornell University, George Washington University, the National University of Singapore and Hertie School of Governance in Germany. “The Jameel Public Leadership Fellowships come at an opportune time for the Egyptian youth post the 25 January Revolution to help them develop their competencies, skills, and abilities to take on the responsibility of building a new Egypt,” said Laila El Baradei, associate dean, GAPP. She explained that the transition to democracy is expected to be a long term process, which requires a cadre of capable public administrators, policy analysts, lawyers, constitutional, legal, media and journalism experts, who can move the country forward. To apply for the fellowship, students should be Egyptian nationals with a minimum of two years and a maximum of 12 years of relevant professional work experience, ideally in the public or nonprofit sectors, or in international development. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in social sciences business, (administration, management, political science, law, etc.), engineering (mechanical, electrical, construction, etc.), or science (pharmacy, medicine, computer science, chemistry, etc.). Applicants will be interviewed by a GAPP screening committee that will include five faculty members representing the different fellowship specializations, as well as members of the Office of Graduate Studies and GAPP administration. The committee will ensure an appropriate balance of AUC and non-AUC graduates. Top applicants will be shortlisted and will be tested by representatives of the Yousef Jameel Foundation. “In recognition of the dire economic circumstances currently faced, the fellowships will provide an opportunity for a free of charge, high quality education to the most qualified candidates, and not necessarily to those who can only afford to pay. Applicants who may be coming from different undergraduate disciplines will be screened by a specialized selection committee,” El Baradei said, adding that “the fellowships will be awarded to those who meet the selection criteria and to those who, most importantly, show leadership potential, and who will be able to make a positive impact in the future of their nation.” Deadline for receiving the Application and all supported documents is June 15, 2012.
