Mediterranean Master's In Human Rights and Democratisation
Scholarships Offer The University of Malta, through the Foundation for International Studies and  together with the Faculty of Laws will once again be coordinating, on behalf of a network of eighteen European and Mediterranean universities and human rights institutes, the Mediterranean Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation.  This is a one-year multidisciplinary post-graduate programme and is open to graduates in law, social sciences, political sciences, international relations or humanities. Applicants should preferably have some experience in a field related to the area of human rights.

The programme is split into two parts:  the first semester, starting in mid-September, is held in Malta and gives the students a structured overview of human rights and democratisation issues.  Lectures are given mainly by lecturers of the University of Malta but there will also be a significant input from the other seventeen universities and human rights institutes collaborating in the programme. The second semester, devoted to research and the writing of a dissertation on a selected human rights topic, should be spent at one of the participating institutions.

The Mediterranean Master's course is one of five regional programmes funded by the European Commission.  Through this funding, a maximum of 36 students from Mediterranean countries are provided with financial assistance to cover most costs.  A  maximum of three bursaries may be allocated to Maltese nationals; these bursaries would cover a substantial part of the expenses incurred in travelling and living overseas for the second semester.  Applicants for these bursaries should show a commitment towards human rights and should preferably have a good command of the French language.

The University of Malta will be accepting applications for registration for its courses between 25 and 31 July.  All those interested in obtaining one of the bursaries referred to above should complete an application form and submit it to the University authorities in the usual manner.  At the same time, they should send a separate letter of application to the Mediterranean Master's Programme Secretary, Old University Building, St. Paul Street, Valletta VLT 07.  Applicants should provide details about their academic qualifications, interest in the human rights area, motivation to follow this course and language competence.

These letters of application are to reach the Programme Secretary no later than 31 July 2001. Scholarships can only be awarded to applicants who are accepted by the University for admission to the course.

This is a full-time course and persons in employment will be required to obtain a release from their employer for the period mid-September 2001 to the end of June 2002.

Further information about the course may be obtained from the course website at http://www.um.edu.mt/hrd/ or by contacting the Programme Secretary on telephone  242791; 231975.  Fax:  230538; 230551.

6 July, 2001