Course(s) Offered: Business Admin
Course Level: Graduate (masters)
Provider: University of Cape Town
Country to Study in: South Africa
Scholarship Description
The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT's GSB) offers MBA Scholarships to students who have met its requirements for the MBA programme and who are driven by their pursuit in social or green ventures.
The Bertha Scholarship is a competitive one for the full time MBA at UCT’s GBS for those candidates who are working on market-based and business solutions to social and environmental challenges in emerging markets, and in particular in Africa.
The scholarships have been established to reduce the financial burden of undertaking an MBA for those dedicated to working in or starting entrepreneurial ventures that tackle social or environmental problems.
Eligibility
The criteria used for selection of Bertha Scholars are:
- Candidates must be South African / African Citizens and a Permanent Resident for at least 1 year.
- Candidates must have started or worked in an entrepreneurial social or green venture, or have worked on sustainable social business strategies within an organisation for at least one year.
- Candidates must demonstrate a strong moral character, strong entrepreneurial drive, a track record of action, leadership qualities, traits of social activism and a commitment to the sustainable development of emerging economies.
- Through the submission of an essay, candidates must show how the MBA at this stage in their career will help to accelerate their impact and how it will contribute to the wider creation of value for society.
- Candidates must demonstrate some need for the scholarship, through either previous work experience, personal background or demonstrated commitment to start a social venture, which make self-funding the MBA a significant burden.
Citizens of sub-Saharan African countries
Participating Institutions
Bertha Centre for Social Innovation, Graduate School of Business (GSB), University of Cape Town (UCT), Cape Town; South Africa
Fields of study
Masters level study in Business Administration.
The focus will be on encouraging selected MBA students to fully realise projects and business ideas that make a real positive impact on society. Bertha Scholars will also have access to communities and to mentors to build on their ideas and create companies.
Number of awards
Currently, not specified.
Previously, the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship provided full scholarships to cover tuition fees for up to five students every year for the MBA programme at the GSB.
Sponsorship duration
The whole duration of the MBA course
Scholarship benefits
The Bertha Scholarship covers full and partial costs of the MBA programme at the UCT Graduate School of Business for candidates committed to social innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Scholarship may also assist with a modest stipend to partially cover living expenses or travel to Cape Town to those candidates who demonstrate such a need.
The Scholarship Committee assesses need based on previous earnings, personal circumstances, geographical location, and future earning potential.
Method of Application
Candidates must first be eligible and apply for the MBA programme at the UCT Graduate School of Business.
Interested candidates should submit the Bertha Scholarship Application Form (available online as from 1st Sept 2014) together with their UCT MBA application number received from the GSB Admissions Office, contact details and CV to berthacentre@gsb.uct.ac.za by 31st October 2014.
For full details about the MBA programme, eligibility, criteria and how to apply to the business school, please visit the official website via the link provided below.
DEADLINES:
Applications for the 2015 Scholarship will open on 1 September 2014. The Bertha Scholarship Application Form (available online as from 1st Sept 2014) and all other requested documentations must be submitted by 31st October 2014.
PLEASE NOTE:
Candidates will be notified if they are selected for interview by mid November 2014. Interviews will take place during the second or first week of December 2014.
The final decision and award of the scholarship will be made by a Scholarship selection panel, following which candidates will be informed by 17th December 2014. Candidates will only be able to take up the Bertha Scholarship if admitted to the MBA programme.
The Bertha Scholarships (MBA, MPhil and Phd) were created to nurture a new generation of social innovators, and to explore entrepreneurial solutions to help solve some of the urgent social and environmental problems of our time.
The combination of scholarship, geographic location and leading academic content in emerging markets provides a unique opportunity for the most talented and innovative students.
The Bertha Scholars are Africa-based social innovators with a commitment and track record to creating positive change.
Application Deadline: 31 October 2014
Open to International Applicants: No (ONLY Africans)
More Scholarship Information and Application
Related: List of Scholarships in South Africa for Scholars