The research and education programme CENSU (Climate Change, Energy, Sustainability: Transformations and Governance) is announcing FOUR MASTER grants for exchange to Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) toward a Masters in International Development, Education and Sustainabilities, from August 2024 to June 2026.

We welcome applicants from all CENSU partner universities: University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM); State University of Zanzibar (SUZA); Lurio University (UniLurio); and Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). CENSU is committed to ensuring full gender parity in its distribution of grants. In this intake we invite applications from women only.

About CENSU

CENSU is funded by the Norwegian government’s development agency. Its objective is to strengthen education and research capacity related to major development challenges in Tanzania and Mozambique: The project will concentrate research on current and anticipated oil and gas exploration mainly in Lindi/Mtwara in southern Tanzania, and Inhassoro and Cabo Delgado in Mozambique. CENSU research and education activity seeks to integrate natural and social sciences, with a view to better understand the relationship between the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development.

About the grants

The duration of the degree programme is two years’ full-time, starting August 2024. While degree completion may be extended to three years, subject to special arrangement with OsloMet, the grant period cannot be changed or extended. The size of the grant is NOK 15,850 per month for 11 months (i.e., the period spent in Oslo). Grantees will also receive an additional stipend to cover costs associated with travel to Norway.

About the Masters degree

OsloMet’s Master in International Development, Education and Sustainabilities has two tracks – one in international education, another in development. The CENSU grantees will follow the latter track. In the first year of study, the grantees do a full years’ worth of coursework (60 ETCS) at OsloMet. In the second year, they undertake fieldwork and write their theses (with sending universities as bases). Academic staff from OsloMet will serve as main theses supervisors, and academic staff from home universities as co-supervisors.

Consult further information about the OsloMet degree program here:

https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/lui/international-development-education-sustainabilities

However, please note that you shall NOT, in the first round of recruitment, apply via the online application route, but as instructed below.

The four seats in the 2024-2026 batch are reserved for CENSU candidates. However, these seats, and the attached grants, will be awarded only to the extent that applicants satisfy formal requirements and assessment by both the sending university and OsloMet’s admissions office.   

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have

• A convincing research/theses concept note (see more below)
• A strong bachelor’s degree and/or a strong master degree in a relevant field of study.
• Research experience related to topics tangential to those of CENSU is a significant advantage, as is research/teaching experience transcending the natural/social sciences divide
• Proven ability to work independently and in close collaboration with others

Mozambicans must prove English proficiency as described here:

https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/admission/english-proficiency-requirements-masters

Tanzanian are exempted from proof of English proficiency.

At this stage, Mozambican applicants need not present language certificate. Shortlisted candidates will be supported in obtaining such certificate. However, the application must itself be written in English.

Thesis concept proposal: We invite proposals addressing one or more of the following research questions:

• How are ecological and social dynamics interwoven in relation to gas extraction in fragile societies and vulnerable environments?
• To what extent, and how, are local community livelihoods (likely to be) affected by gas extraction activities?
• To what extent do the gas extraction projects create expectations and concerns in affected communities/society, and what are these expectations and concerns?
• How do governing institutions and gas corporations, including contractors, respond to the expectations and concerns of citizens and and how do they promote sustainable development related to energy production?

The research concept proposal must

• Present the analytical approach to be applied in the research project
• Provide indications of the methods to be employed
• Have a fieldwork location focus that fits with the research sites identified in the CENSU project

The length of concept note should be approx. 1,500 words (excl. the list of references.)

Application

Your application must include:

• Research/theses concept proposal (as per above specification)
• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Relevant transcripts and diplomas

NB: All of the above three documents must be combined into a single PDF file.

Closing date, UEM and UniLurio: 8 November 2023.

Closing date, UDSM and SUZA: 20 November 2023.

Closing date Mozambique: 8 November 2023.

Closing date Tanzania: 20 November 2023.

The application shall be sent to the CENSU educational coordinator at your university:

UDSM: Dr. Victoria Moshy – moshyv2001@yahoo.com; moshy.victoria@udsm.ac.tz

SUZA: Dr. Wahira Othman – wahiraothman@yahoo.com

UNILURIO: Evidoquio Macaluve – evidoquio.maculuve@unilurio.ac.mz

UEM: Prof. Eduardo Sitoe – eduardo.nkomo@gmail.com

ISSUED ON 31^ST OCTOBER, 2023.