Geography | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 8

Kovacik Scholarships in Geography, University of South Carolina, USA

Kovacik Geography Grants are named in honor of Dr. Charles F. Kovacik, the second coordinator of the South Carolina Geographic Alliance. Dr. Kovacik was instrumental in the growth of geography education in South Carolina. Nine grants have been made to South Carolina teachers since 2006.South Carolina teachers are among our best partners to increase and promote K-12 geographic literacy. These grants are meant to support their geography instruction when traditional funding options are unavailable. Proposed work should directly focus on improving instruction through the development of new curriculum materials or the acquisition of essential classroom materials and equipment. Ineligible expenses include: administrative overhead;air travel; scholarship or travel fellowships; teacher stipends; meals; SCGA products; and professional meeting fees or dues. Applications that address the geographic literacy needs of rural South Carolina and those that incorporate geospatial technologies (GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing, Internet) are especially welcome.
Eligibility: Kovacik Geography Grants are given directly to schools to promote and increase geographic literacy in the classroom and school. Grant applications are accepted from any current teacher or administrator in an accredited K-12 school within South Carolina.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 April 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Fellowships “Urban Geography”, Germany

The Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, Germany, seeks to appoint three post-doctoral research fellows in Urban Geography, each for three years. The geographers will be employed to conduct research respectively in the following locations: New York (likely Astoria in Queens), Johannesburg (likely Hillbrow) and Singapore (likely Jurong West).

Post-docs will undertake two months of project training in Germany before residing in the respective project city for the duration of the project, will undertake site visits to all Globaldivercities project sites, and will participate in a final international conference in Germany. Prof. Vertovec will manage the project through site visits, team meetings in various locations and video-conferences. The entire team will have input towards film-making, and all project members will be encouraged and supported to develop their own publications as well as to contribute to collective publications.

Requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD in Geography and have a track record of research (and ideally publication) regarding urban contexts. In addition to English, language competence in a relevant language (i.e., likely to be spoken among some immigrants in the given location) will be an advantage, as will knowledge and experience of one of the project cities.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 25 February 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Fellowship-Systemic Analysis of Irrigation Systems, Syria

If you possess a PhD in water sciences or geography, or an equivalent discipline, and have at least 3 years’ experience in systemic analysis of irrigated agriculture using approaches that combine technical understanding of water management and farming systems, and have the ability to coordinate and carry out research activities on irrigation scheme development and management in northeastern Syria and contribute to studies on irrigation, water management, agricultural performance, poverty reduction and investment strategies, then this could be the job for you. This position reports to François Molle, Senior Researcher, at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) office in Aleppo, Syria.
You will:
• examine irrigation development policies and strategies in Syria, compile and synthesize existing scientific information on
irrigation and water management in the Euphrates Basin, with emphasis on the Syrian part;
• contribute to designing and carrying out research activities on water and agricultural management in the irrigated systems supplied by
waters from the Euphrates;
• contribute to advising Master’s students involved in specific field research; and
• contribute ideas and assist in bibliographical searches regarding research activities to be carried out in other parts of Syria
(e.g., Orontes or Quweq river basins).
You must possess:
• PhD in water sciences or geography, or an equivalent discipline;
• ability to carry out a systemic analysis of irrigated agriculture using approaches that combine technical understanding of water
management and farming systems, together with consideration of institutional dimensions, as demonstrated in successfully completed
reports, a dissertation or journal articles;
• sensitivity to, and interest in, social and institutional dimensions of water resources management;
• computer literacy, with skills in handling and quality controlling hydrological and water management data;
• ability to articulate quantitative and qualitative analyses;
• good communication and writing skills, with an excellent command of both oral and written English;
• ability to effectively establish priorities, plan, organize and monitor own work in an interdisciplinary and multiple task environment;
• strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural, multiethnic environment with
sensitivity and respect for diversity; and
• ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, with local and international partners.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 25 February 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application