Context

The ASCN is a 5-year programme aiming at promoting social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus. It is supported by GEBERT RÜF STIFTUNG (foundation) and run by the Interfaculty Institute of Central and Eastern Europe of the University of Fribourg (Swizterland) One of the components of the ASCN is a scholarship programme for young students (MA level) enabling them to spend one semester at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland).

Purpose

The Academic Swiss Caucasus Net - ASCN - awards a limited number (maximum 4) of scholarships to MA students from Ilia State University to spend one semester at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Fribourg (www.unifr.ch). Students must gain a minimum of 20 ECTS credits during their semester at the University of Fribourg.

a) Field of studies

The scholarship is foreseen for MA students studying humanities or social sciences at the Ilia State University.

At the University of Fribourg, selected students will have the opportunity to attend classes in the Department of historical studies, in the Department of social sciences and in the department of philosophy of the Faculty of Humanities. The Faculty is bilingual: classes at the Faculty are given either in German or in French.

b) Duration of the scholarship

Scholarships are granted for one semester (5 months, September 2010 to January 2011). Before the beginning of the academic semester, selected students can attend a 3-week French language course. Unfortunately, the course is not given for German.

c) Scholarship amount

Scholarship holders receive an amount of 1'700.- Swiss francs (CHF) per month. This amount is to cover the student's study and living expenses (board, lodging; books, study material, health insurance etc.). Besides, travel costs and further administrative costs (visas, etc.) are covered by the ASCN programme.

Eligibility

Applications can only be accepted if they meet the following conditions:

a) Applicants have obtained a BA in humanities or social sciences and are pursuing an MA study programme in humanities or social sciences at the Ilia State University

b) Applicants are Georgian citizens

c) Applicants master either French or German sufficiently to follow classes.

Procedure

The applicant's file must contain following documents:

      a cover letter indicating the reasons for applying, your expectations from the scholarship programme, an outline of your career goals and your personal and scientific interests (in English, German or French)

      1. the present application form

      2. a copy of university degree/ diploma including study records (grades) / list of

              courses  gained   credits

     3.  a curriculum vitae including a photo (passport format)

     4.  if available a proof of language proficiency in German or French if not mother tongue

          (confirmation from a university language department, Goethe-Institute, Alliance

             française  etc.)

      5. a detailed learning agreement (see separate document)

The application is to be mailed or handed in to the local coordination unit of the ASCN Programme in Georgia in two copies. Only complete applications will be taken into consideration.

Mailing address:

Ms. Tiko Kadagishvili, ASCN local assistant

ASCN Local Coordination Unit

"Fribourg Scholarship Programme"

Ilia State University

3/5, Kakutsa Cholokashvili Ave.

(Room № 302)

Tbilisi, Georgia, 0162

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS Monday 1 MARCH 2010. Applications arriving after 1 MARCH will not be taken into consideration. The selection of candidates will be communicated in April 2010.

Further information about the scholarship programme can be obtained either from the ASCN Management in Switzerland or from the ASCN Local Coordination Unit at Ilia State University. Information is also available on our website www.ascn.ch.

Denis Dafflon                                                               ASCN Local Coordination Unit

Programme Coordinator                                    Prof. Giga Zedania, local coordinator

ACADEMIC SWISS CAUCASUS NET (ASCN)               Ms. Tinatin Kadagishvili, local assistant

University of Fribourg /                                                  Ilia State University

Interfaculty Institute for Central                                      3/5, Kakutsa Cholokashvili Ave.

and Eastern Europe (IICEE)                                          (Room № 302), Tbilisi, Georgia, 0162

Bd de Pérolles 90                                                         Phone: (+995 32) 23 07 14

1700 Fribourg/ Switzerland                                                        (+995 77) 55 33 16

Phone: +41 26 300 79 82                                              tiko_kadagishvili@iliauni.edu.ge

denis_dafflon@unifr.ch                                                  giga_zedania@iliauni.edu.ge

www.ascn.ch

Application form German

Application form French

Learning Agreement