State Scholarships for Full-Time Master Studies in Lithuania

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania takes pleasure in offering Lithuanian state scholarships for full-time Master degree studies in the academic year 2013-2014 for nationals of Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as for foreign citizens of the Lithuanian descent to study in Lithuanian higher education institutions:

1. A monthly scholarship and tuition-free studies is offered for the nationals of Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, and foreign citizens of Lithuanian descent (7 grants altogether);
   
2. A monthly scholarship is offered for the nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan (6 grants altogether).
   

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Candidate must be a national of one of the following countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan; or a foreign citizen of the Lithuanian descent (except citizens of the European Union member states, European Economic Area member states, and the non-EU member states in the post-soviet area);
   
2. Candidate must be a graduate of a full-time first-cycle (Bachelor degree) studies;
   
3. Candidate must have an official letter of acceptance for a full-time Master degree studies from one of the Lithuanian higher education institutions.
   

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

1. All approved candidates will receive a monthly scholarship of 1300 Litas (approx. 377 Euros) for the whole duration of the studies;
   
2. Tuition-free studies will be offered only for the nationals from Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, and foreign citizens of the Lithuanian descent. Nationals from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan have to cover the tuition fee from the scholarship received.
   NB1. Tuition fee for the studies shall not exceed the normative cost of study which is determined by Minister of education and science.
   

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Copies, validated in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts, of:
   
   
   1. a document certifying the person’s identity;
      
   2. a document certifying first-cycle qualification and translation thereof into Lithuanian or English or Russian;
      
   3. a document certifying the level of proficiency in the language of instruction of the study programme concerned and translation thereof into Lithuanian or English or Russian;
      
   4. a document (documents) certifying research (art) or other activity achievements and translation thereof into Lithuanian or English or Russian;
      
2. a confirmation of the Lithuanian higher education institution testifying to the fact that the foreigner has been admitted to a full-time second-cycle study programme;
   
3. contact details (residence address in the country or origin, e-mail).
   NB2. All documents must be completed in English, Russian or Lithuanian (or with certified translations into one of these languages). NB3. All copies of the original documents shall be certified as true copies.
   

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Foreigners applying for scholarships shall submit all the required documents by 1^st of August 2013 to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania directly or through the Lithuanian diplomatic representations (Lithuanian embassies) in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, or through the other relevant Lithuanian embassy for foreign citizens of the Lithuanian descent.

The address for sending all the application documents directly to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania is:

Academic Mobility and Continuing Education Division
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
A. Volano g. 2/7, LT-01516, Vilnius
LITHUANIA

The list of all Higher Education Institutions in Lithuania can be found on this link: http://www.aikos.smm.lt/aikos/entr_higher_schools.htm

SELECTION OF THE CANDIDATES

A decision to award the candidates will be determined by the arithmetic mean as follows:

• 70% of the competitive score will consist of the results from the Diploma supplement;
• 20% of the competitive score will consist of the level of proficiency in the language of instruction of the study programme;
• 10% of the competitive score will consist of the research activity achievements.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jolanta Navickaitė
Senior Specialist of Academic Mobility and Continuing Education Division
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
E-mail: jolanta.navickaite@smm.lt
Phone: + 370 5 2191 128

Vilija Dulevičiūtė
Project Coordinator of Higher Education Programs Unit
Education Exchanges Support Foundation
E-mail: vilija.duleviciute@smpf.lt
Phone: +370 5 249 8189, 261 0592

Read more at: http://www.smpf.lt/en/statescholarships/for_fulltime_master_degree_studies

First World Youth Sustainability Summit

The international initiative “youthinkgreen - jugend denkt um.welt" organises the 1st World Youth Sustainability Summit in Berlin between the 10th and 20th May 2013. The international educational youth initiative is under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Christiana Figueres as well as the former President of the European Parliament, MEP Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering. The members of the youthinkgreen movement currently numbers 220 youth from 10 countries. Together they campaign against the climate change and for the environment as well as more sustainable ways of living. 

 

The 1st World Youth Sustainability Summit will revolve around the evocative theme of “Youth and Sustainability in Everyday Life - Challenge, Reflect on and Develop New Global Ways of Living” seen as a great, worldwide challenge and collective task. More than 150 young people from industrialised, emerging and developing countries will come to Berlin to participate in the conference, along with top-class speakers from the scientific, cultural, economic, political and media world to analyse, question and develop the topic through speeches, discussions as well as various workshops. 

The objective is to draft a common, activity-oriented position paper in which the young people from the whole world will develop collective suggestions, impulses and demands for a more responsible future by which they will stand. 

Which lifestyle do I support for today – tomorrow – the future?

Fundamental questions are raised everyday about all kinds of aspects of our social existence throughout the world: how can the individual live, how does s/he orient her/himself? What are the responsibilities of politics, economy and civil society in the organisation of a humane life? Where lie the limits of individual freedoms? Doesn’t the wish for a future socially and ecologically secured belong to the catalogue of human rights? 

youthinkgreen calls for an “open competition” and with this invites young people, who would like to enrich the 1st World Youth Sustainability Summit with their personal experiences, to get involved in dialogs among one another and design common solutions. 

Formal conditions/requirements

The participants must meet the following formal requirements to apply:

- be aged between 15 and 20,

- possess basic knowledge on the fields sustainability and environmental policies,

- have a good command of English (the language of the conference will be English, simultaneous interpretation between English and German will be offered),

- be in good and healthy physical condition for the length of the stay,

- be in possession of a valid passport.

Both applications from individuals and groups are possible. However, in the case of group application, only the representatives of the group can be invited. 

Application procedure

To participate, the applicant must provide the following documents:

1. Résumé including personal information and annotation on the education as well as extracurricular activities

2. Cover letter (1-2 pages): state and explain your reasons for applying to take part in the Summit.

3. Topic-specific key points of your application: select one or more submission possibility that you would like to use to present yourself:

a. Presentation of a distinct, exemplary sustainable project (see youthinkgreen website – Summit 2013 – Project Presentation youthinkgreen – jugend denkt um.welt (PDF))

b. Position report on the topic “Youth and Sustainability in Everyday Life - Challenge, Reflect on and Develop New Global Ways of Living” in the form of: a comprehensive experience report, interviews, structural model, wish list, a contribution video (at least 10 minutes), cartoons, a caricature, a drawing or a comic strip. Research and question the ways of living in industrial, emerging and developing countries. Take the position of a world citizen and try to develop ways of living that would fairly address the big challenges of our time related to the topics “climate change and sustainable development”. Draw on the postulates sustainable mobility, sustainable consumption and sustainable use of energies and resources. To do so, you can base your reflection on the basic existential functions: live, work, support oneself (food, clothing etc.), educate oneself, get well, procreate, live collectively, recycle, contribute to commerce and get involved in communication.

c. Draft a concept “Environmental school: school of the future”. Describe the stepping-stones of your environmental school and create a model out of it.

d. Presentation of a script (idea, treatment, storyboard) for an environment-oriented advertisement (see http://www.youthinkgreen.org/project-news/).

e. Performance of songs that you composed on the topics sustainability and/or climate change.

Please send your submission in electronic format at: info@youthinkgreen.org

Selection procedure/financing

The winners will be selected on the basis of their submission by the jury of the project, composed of experts in sustainable education and who are invited to come to the summit in Berlin. The conference and tours programme, accommodation, catering along with the travelling expenses during the ten-days stay in Berlin are free of charge. In justified cases, travel and visa expenses can be subsidised. 

Closing date for applications

The closing date for applications is February 28th 2013.

For more information go to: http://www.youthinkgreen.org/1st-world-youth-sustainability-summit-2013/

For contact and questions: info@youthinkgreen.org

How to Write an Outstanding Essay

Writing essays is something you have to get used to doing if you want to make it through college. You also have to learn how to write and structure the perfect essay if you do not want to score poorly. Essays are used to show teachers that you are learning, and understand underlying concepts. The content of the essay is all up to you, but how you write it and how well you do on your essay must be learnt. Here are a few tips to help you create better essays.

Read and re-read the instructions numerous times

You need to do this in order to memorize the questions and instructions. If you commit them to memory straight away then they will remain in your head as you read and work. This will start to steer your thoughts and essay direction in the right way.

Start by brain storming thoughts and ideas

You have no doubt learnt a lot about your essay topic in the last few weeks or months. So a good place to start is with your own mind. Spend at least half an hour racking your brain for potential pointers and ideas. In many cases you will find subjects and thoughts to research into.

Judge your word count by how many points each question has

Your essay instructions may be broken down into pointers and sub questions. In many cases these sub headers, sub questions, etc. will have points designated to them. Add up all the points to get the total e.g. 30, and divide the word count e.g. 2000 by that point amount e.g. 2000/30 and then times that amount by the points for each question, and you will know how much to write for each question.

Plan your essay

Plan the research, the structure, the different elements and how many words you plan to put in each element. You must plan all of your essay down to the last paragraph. Create a structure tree from beginning to end and make it your plans starting point.

Add to your plan as you write

As you research and write, you will see things that you need to add or rework. Instead of stopping and starting, you need to add a note to your plan and come back to it as you work your way down your plan.

Create a clear structure with modules

When you are planning you should set your plan into modules. You need to be able to move pieces around, and edit pieces without disrupting the rest of your essay. Try adding a few notes and headings in your essay, but put them in red because they are all just notes and headings to help you. Delete them when you have finished the essay.

Proofread your essay at least twice

You need to check it for the usual grammar and spelling, but you also need to check it for flow and accuracy. The flow should be simple, since you will find yourself skim reading the bits that do not flow correctly. Accuracy is up to you, but if you read it a few times you are more likely to pick up on your errors and inaccuracies within the text.

Conclusion

Planning is the key to a good essay. It sets the stage for you to do your work. It helps you to structure your essay and will help to stop you from rambling on about the same topic at the expense of other topics. Re-read the instructions multiple times and start planning and structuring your essay from the very beginning.

About the author. Meghan is a writer for Scholar Advisor, an educational portal for students that provides useful education tips and writing guides.

CRRC Armenia 2013 Conference on Social Capital

Because of the utmost significance of the concept of social capital and also the controversies associated with it, the CRRC-Armenia is pleased to announce a special Conference on Social Capital (SC Conference) – Social Capital: Definitions, Applications, Cultural Contexts. The conference will be held on June 5-6, 2013, in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia.

Throughout decades, the concept of social capital has often been used as a conceptual tool of social sciences. Almost all social disciplines have included the social capital in their research frameworks - from development economics to social psychology, from social health research to education attainment studies, from criminology to anthropology. While the social capital concept has generally been accepted in most of the societies and cultures, it has, however, no lack of criticism either. Critics spend their time and direct their intellectual efforts particularly towards the issues of measurement of social capital.

Although different disciplines define social capital differently, they tend to converge in one characteristic of this complex phenomenon. They share the idea that social networks, social contacts (or their absence) affect the productivity of individuals, groups and polities, much like the polity’s accumulated physical capital and educational attainments do.

Identification, establishment and/or strengthening of desirable forms/types of social capital constitute a central concern for any society. These things cannot be achieved overnight. They are bound to raise difficult questions: What type of social capital does a polity have at its current level of economic and social development? How can social capital contribute or hinder a country’s economic and social advancement? What can educational reforms do to speed up, or slow down, the creation of advantageous forms of social capital (e.g., in Armenia, also from the perspective of Armenia’s comparison to other countries)? How do social capital and Internet relate to each other? What are cultural implications of social capital, e.g., in the Armenian context, also in comparison with other South Caucasus countries? Which type(s) of social capital are more conducive to higher economic efficiency and social performance of developing polities? How does civil society impact the formation of a particular type of social capital? How does social capital relate to changes in women’s role in society? Can social capital deepen, and even generate, social inequality? How does social capital impact migration/emigration dynamics? These and a whole range of even more issues, relating social capital to youth studies, civil society, poverty, happiness, crime statistics, health – are all welcome to be presented, discussed and debated at the SC Conference. 

SC Conference Format

Contributors are hereby invited to submit proposals to the SC Conference. The proposed papers should address one of the following broadly defined subjects. Contributors may also choose more narrow subjects closely related to these.

1. Definitional Issues and Typology of Social Capital
2. Social Capital, Democracy and State Cohesion; Connectedness; Social Capital, Social Cohesion, Solidarity
3. Methodology: Evaluation and Measurement of Social Capital; Emerging Research Opportunities
4. Social Capital and Reciprocity: Trust in Social Norms and Institutions.
5. Social Capital and Gender Issues: Prominent Role of Women in Society, Women’s Engagement in Politics and Business
6. Cultural Implications of Social Capital
7. Misunderstanding and Misusing the Social Capital: Negative Social Capital and Reproduction of Inequality

Both empirical papers and theoretical/conceptual contributions are equally welcome.

The SC Conference will serve as a forum for discussion, debates, generation of ideas. The Conference will also be a socializing and networking event, precisely the type of event to promote, propagate and publicize the concept of social capital.

The Conference will include three panels for discussion and debates. The three panels are broadly dubbed “theoretical,” “empirical” and “cultural”

1. The Theoretical Panel will discuss and debate definitional issues and typology of social capital concept, bonding vs. bridging types of social capital, possible relationships between social capital, efficiency of democratic institutions and therefore stability of state cohesion; connectedness and solidarity, social networking, trust in institutions and social norms, accompanied at the same time by possibilities of individual choice – these and related exciting theoretical general musings are the subjects to be raised, debate and pondered upon by the participants to the panel.
2. The Empirical Panel will devote its attention to methodological and practical aspects of measurement of social capital, newly emerging research opportunities. Possible relationships between social capital and the Internet will await consideration. Problems that can arise from misunderstanding and misusing the social capital also fall in this category. Participants will discuss the so-called “negative social capital”, its possible and much debated connection to reproduction of inequality.
3. The Cultural Panel will hold talks of cultural implications of social capital, particularly its manifestations in the contemporary Armenian society. Comparative perspectives and contrasting reviews of South Caucasus states, characteristics of social capital in countries of other culturally diverse regions of the world will be particularly welcome. Social capital and the role of women in different societies, opportunities for women’s economic empowerment in relation to a culture’s social capital are also bound to generate fruitful discussions.

Terms of Participation and Selection Criteria

The SC Conference will host social scientists, scholars, researchers, think-thank and NGO representatives, Master of Arts and PhD students, individuals from academic faculties, government agencies, representatives of international organizations – all those who will demonstrate scientific and professional interest in the above mentioned subjects and related fields. The potential contributors will submit abstracts (no more than 300 words) of their proposed papers. Abstracts can be submitted either in Armenian or in English. No discrimination will be made with regard to race, gender, religion, citizenship, social, political and/or other affiliations of participants.

Abstracts will be submitted by March 7, 2013 to: conference@crrc.am

The Conference Steering Committee (CSC) will select the Conference speakers on a competitive basis. Individuals whose paper abstracts will have been selected by the end of selection process will further be contacted by the CSC to submit full papers.

The CSC will notify authors of accepted abstracts by e-mails by March 29, 2013.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate submitted abstracts:

1. Abstracts should contain no more than 300 words, including the following information: the title, the name(s), contacts, and institutional affiliation(s) of the author(s).
2. Abstracts must bear relevance to one of the subjects described in the Section 2: SC Conference Format.
3. Abstracts must be logically coherent and must accurately reflect the purpose, structure, argument and conclusions of the paper.
4. Abstracts must NOT contain unsupported assertions, ethical judgments, call-ups for violence, terrorism, etc.
5. Citations must be equipped with accurate references to the sources.

Requirements for full papers will be provided individually to the authors of selected abstracts.

The paper should NOT incorporate materials that could be interpreted as a popularization and/or propaganda of an individual, political party, public or international organization.

The best papers and speeches will be published within two months after the completion of the SC Conference.

Conference Languages
The SC Conference will be conducted in Armenian and English. Simultaneous translation will be available. 

Contact Information
For questions please contact Ms. Anna Sarkisyan
Program Manager, CRRC – Armenia
Abovyan St. 52, room 312
(37410) 58-13-30 and 58-14-50
E-mail: conference@crrc.am

http://www.crrc.am/index.php/en/8/999/1297/

Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) 2013

Starting in October 2013, the Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) will grant eight doctoral scholarships to European and Asian students. 

The Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) is a structured doctoral programme within the interdisciplinary research environment of the Cluster. The programme's institutional reference is the Karl Jaspers Centre (KJC), situated at Heidelberg University. Doctoral students are taught by scholars working within the Cluster and thereby have access to a vibrant international scholarly community. 

The doctoral programme offers:
a) an introduction to theories and methodologies of transcultural studies,
b) access to a well-equipped work environment supported by European and Asian institutions,
c) participation in the gathering of textual and non-textual source material,
d) support of doctoral projects which are linked to the broad research fields pursued by the Cluster.

In line with the Cluster's focus, the programme's research profile centres on the dynamics of cultural exchange processes between Asia and Europe. The Cluster challenges the master narrative of asymmetrical Western domination along with its historical explanation, its methodology, and the resulting structures of the humanities and social sciences. Involving Asian, European, and global perspectives, the GPTS offers an excellent working environment for young scholars who wish to be integrated into cooperative research on problems of high complexity, both in terms of subject matter and methodology. 

The GPTS combines the European model of highly individualised doctoral studies and a system of guided courses. Supervision is provided by mentors during a term of three academic years. In the first year participants attend a number of thematically focused classes. The second year is intended for field research, while the third year is dedicated for the writing and presenting of the results. Each doctoral student will be assigned two mentors/advisors. Half of the scholarships are reserved for students from Asia. 

Application Requirements

• Applicants must hold an M.A. or equivalent in a discipline of the humanities or social sciences with an above-average grade (at least 1.7, B+, 2+, "magna cum laude", or equivalent).
• The degree has to reflect at least five years of study at university level. Applicants who plan to graduate in 2013 must provide a university transcript that clearly indicates the progress to degree.
• Documents should be submitted in English, German, French or Italian. Documents in other languages should be submitted as certified translations into English or German.

Application Process

The application process consists of four parts.

1. Applicants have to register and log into the Online Application System of the GPTS. Further guidelines will be available after login. Through the system applicants are required to provide

• proof of their M.A. (or equivalent) with a transcript of courses and grades (NOTE: If the degree is still pending, applicants have to provide a detailed transcript of courses, indicating the progress to degree)
• two referees for recommendation
• an abstract of the proposed doctoral project with a working plan
• a letter of intention
• proof of language skills
• further information about their education, work experience and other skills
• possible supervisor from the Cluster.

The proposed doctoral project must have clear connections to the general research framework of the Cluster. Suitable supervisors may be found amongst the five Professorships and senior researchers involved in the projects of the Cluster.

2. After an initial evaluation and selection, applicants will be asked to contact suitable supervisors at the Cluster to discuss their proposed projects.

3. The most promising applicants will be invited to present their projects to the selection committee in Heidelberg. Notifications on this can be expected towards the end of April or the beginning of May.

4. Subsequent to the presentation in Heidelberg, the scholarship holders will be selected.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 March, 2013.

Scholarships

The programme offers a monthly scholarship of 1.200 Euro. It further supports scholarship holders in framing their research through advanced courses and individual supervision and mentoring. Half of the scholarships are reserved for young scholars from Asia.

Read more: http://www.asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de/en/education/graduate-programme-for-transcultural-studies.html

Summer Academy Challenges of Sustainable Development in Poland 2013

Sendzimir Foundation invites students and professionals interested in sustainable development to apply for the XVI Summer Academy Challenges of Sustainable Development in Poland 2013. The course, held entirely in English, consists of two phases: an e-learning phase (March-June) and the 3-week long Summer Academy that takes place on 7-27 July in Torun, central Poland. Participation in the e-learning phase is open to applicants from anywhere in the world. Participation in the Summer Academy will be open to selected participants that proved the best alumni of the e-learning course and are residents of Central Eastern Europe and Baltic Sea Basin region. Participation in both the e-learning and the Academy is free of charge (Sendzimir Foundation covers all the related costs except travel to Torun).

Three-week Summer Academy the Challenges of Sustainable Development is one of the most important educational events connected to sustainability in Poland. More than 410 people took part in it since 1998. Since the 12th edition we accept also participants from abroad. The Academy enjoys growing interest from participants from different countries - In 2012 around 400 people applied to take part in it. The competition is high but those who do get accepted praise the high standard of the training.

Who can take part in the course?

The course is addressed to students and PhD students, researchers as well as representatives of the business, administration and NGO-sector from the Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea Region. Students represent different areas and specialties, especially they were: nature protection and environmental engineering, architecture, management, economic sciences, agriculture, biology, ecology, arts, history, journalism. We encourage participants from all over the world to apply for the e-learning phase, however only applicants from Europe will be considered eligible to participate in the Academy. This is due to the local focus of the practical component of the training and excessive carbon footprint caused by long-distance travels. If you feel your case needs exceptional, please write us an e-mail before the end of the second stage of the e-learning course.

The additional criteria taken into account will be:

• fluency in English,
• country of the applicant (approximately 60% of participants will be from Poland, from other CEE and Baltic countries we will accept up to 3 participants from a certain country taking into consideration the number of application from a given country). Please note: due to excessive carbon footprint generated by long-distance travels participants from countries outside Europe will not be admitted to participate in the Academy. 
• specialization (the course has an interdisciplinary character and we try to create a diverse group of participants to share knowledge and experience in their fields).

How can I take part in this course?

If you want to take part in 16th edition of our Summer Academy or the e-learning alone, you should send an application form, that is available on our website. The applications will be received between 11th of February and 4th of March 2013. 

An integral element of the recruitment process for the Academy is a two-step e-learning course that we will provide from 9th March 2013. Those who do not complete it will not be eligible to take part in the Academy, however you may decide to participate in the e-learning stage alone, without applying for the Academy. If that should be the case, please indicate it in the application form.

What is the subject of the course?

Sustainable development: explanation of the concept, theory from different perspectives and practical workshops and projects. The course includes also additional activities which integrates the group such as dance classes or hiking.

 

What can I expect from this course?

The Academy programme includes: lectures, debates, workshops, simulation games, country activities and practical projects in the domain of sustainable development. Guided by experienced instructors from Poland and abroad, the participants work on two important practical projects. First concentrates on the implementation of sustainable development principles into the municipality; the other into the companies or institutions.

Read more about the application process here.

Ljubljana Summer School - Take the Best from East & West 2013

The next edition of Ljubljana Summer School  Take the Best from East & West will be held on 8-26 July 2013 at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is an internationally renowned programme that was created in the summer of 2000. During the three exciting and challenging weeks, students attend courses, interact with managers during company visits, discover local culture and socialize with people from around the world.

The Ljubljana Summer School is open to undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates. Students will be able to choose from among many courses which are academically challenging and intellectually stimulating. Discussions between professors and students through various interactive teaching methods are strongly encouraged. Coming from Slovenia and all over the world, the lecturers are experts in their chosen fields and actively involved in academic research; many act as advisers and consultants to companies and the government.  

Students meet colleagues from different parts of the world and gain insights into new cultures and thinking processes that are a source of creativity and development. They will work in teams and improve their communication skills. We will organise visits to successful Slovenian companies from various industries in different Slovenian regions. 

Students may choose one or two courses with 6, 7 or 8 ECTS credits. In line with the home university policy, students can earn ECTS credits if all the course requirements are fulfilled. Together with the ECTS credits students receive a Certificate of Attendance. The lectures will be held in the morning or afternoon. The number of students per course is limited. Please note that a course will not be offered if fewer than 15 students apply.  

Courses

We offer many courses which are academically challenging and intellectually stimulating. Discussion between professors and students through various interactive teaching methods are strongly encouraged. Lecturers, from Slovenia and all over the world, are experts in their chosen fields and are actively involved in academic research; many act as advisers and consultants to companies and the government.

In line with your home university policy, you can earn ECTS credits if you fulfil all course requirements. Together with ECTS credits you receive a Certificate of Attendance. You may choose one or two courses. The courses will be lectured in the morning or in the afternoon. Number of students per course is limited. Please note that a course will not be offered if fewer than 15 students apply.

Lecturing is in English. There are 10 lecture days of 3 in-class units per course/day. Additionally the study of a 6 ECTS course includes 30 hours of independent study, 15 hours of homework and 15 hours of group work. On the last day the examination takes place.

All available courses are listed here

Fees 

 
- Study fee for one course: EUR 650; it includes tuition and study materials for one course, access to the library and computer rooms, opening and closing ceremony, company visits in Ljubljana, some social events, Ljubljana city bus ticket and a welcome package.
- Study fee for the second course: EUR 150; it includes tuition and study materials for the second course.
- Hospitality Package: EUR 300; includes accommodation in a shared room with a shared bathroom and kitchen, free internet access, breakfast and lunch on weekdays.
- Single room fee:150 EUR; available only in Dormitory Rožna dolina
- Late payment fee: EUR 150 for payments received from 9 May to 8 June 2013.
- Not included in the fee: transport to and from Ljubljana, health insurance, visa costs, some social activities, organised visits and trips, additional meals, and personal expenses. 

Important!
Early Bird fee payment: for payments received by May 8 2013
Late fee payment: for payments received from May 9 2013 until 8 June 2013.

Accomodation

For Ljubljana Summer School participants we offer two types of accommodation. First 200 students will be accommodated in the dormitory Bežigrad (“first paid, first served” regulation) and the rest in one of the student dormitories in Rožna dolina.

Students apply for accommodation in the application form by choosing the “hospitality package”. Lunch and breakfast on weekdays are included. 

Read more here: http://www.ef.uni-lj.si/summerschool and apply here: http://summerschool.ef.uni-lj.si/Apply

Please send your questions to summer.school@ef.uni-lj.si 

PhD Scholarship in Culture at Giessen University

Giessen University's International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), funded by the German federal government’s Excellence Initiative, invites applications for one of up to 13 PhD scholarships for a three-year, structured PhD-programme in the study of culture. With its excellent research environment, a doctoral programme which is tailored to the needs of PhD students and the intensive personal support it provides, the Graduate Centre offers doctoral researchers optimum conditions for their PhD-projects and custom-made preparation for the time thereafter, both with regard to academic and non-academic careers.

The PhD scholarship period starts on October 1, 2013 and includes a monthly stipend of approximately €1,468 (plus family allowances when applicable). Scholarships are offered for one year with the possibility of two extensions, each of one year. The GCSC supports young researchers with families; appointees with children under the age of twelve are eligible for renewals of up to four years. 

Acceptance of a scholarship requires participation in the study programme and wide-ranging events offered by the GCSC, as well as active involvement in at least one GCSC graduate research group. PhD scholarship holders must register as PhD students at the Justus Liebig University. There are no tuition fees for doctoral students at the JLU, except for an enrolment fee of approximately €200 per semester. All scholarship holders are expected to assume residency in or near Giessen.

The GCSC expects scholarship holders to:

• Research a dissertation project that contributes to the GCSC’s research profile* and can be supervised at the Justus Liebig University
• Actively participate in one of the GCSC’s research areas* by initiating, coordinating and documenting collaborative research projects, such as conferences or publications
• Participate in the GCSC’s curriculum

The GCSC offers a research-intensive environment and comprehensive multi-tier supervision at all stages of a dissertation project through e.g. interdisciplinary research colloquia and professional support in preparing academic papers and conferences. The GCSC Teaching Centre offers systematic qualification in HE teaching; opportunities to teach at the BA level are available. 

Eligibility

We invite applications for contributing to the study of culture in various historical contexts as well as those analysing contemporary phenomena. An international research perspective i.e. international study experience is an advantage. The GCSC encourages applications from graduate students who have or expect to obtain a first or upper second class honours M.A.-degree (or equivalent) in one of the GCSC’s academic subjects* or in the arts/humanities, cultural studies, or the social sciences. The GCSC’s working languages are German and English, and applicants must be fluent in at least one of them; knowledge of both is an advantage and should be acquired during the scholarship period.

The GCSC focuses its research within the following Research Areas*: Research Area 1: Cultural Memory Studies | Research Area 2: Cultural Narratologies | Research Area 3: Cultural Transformation and Performativity Studies | Research Area 4: Visual and Material Culture Studies | Research Area 5: Media and Multiliteracy Studies | Research Area 6: Cultural Identities | Research Area 7: Global Studies and Politics of Space | Research Area 8: Cultures of Knowledge, Research and Education.

In addition, the GCSC is currently establishing working groups organized around “emerging topics” that are expected to contribute to the research spectrum by establishing and strengthening links to neighbouring disciplines. Initial working group activities have bridged the study of culture with the fields of economics, ecology, life sciences and law.    

Application Procedure and Deadline

The main selection criteria are the candidates’ academic qualifications, the academic quality of the research proposal and the suitability of the project for the GCSC’s research programme. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview.

The application deadline is March 1, 2013 (date of receipt). All applications (including an application form and further documents as stated on the GCSC-website) have to be submitted online. 

Please find all information about the two-stage application procedure on the website at http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/wps/pgn/home/GCSC_eng/doctoral_scholarships/

If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact us at gcsc-application@uni-giessen.de