Here's your chance to study in America

21 September 2016 - 16:33 By TMG Digital

Entrepreneurs and civic-minded South Africans can apply for funding to study in the USA next year. The US Embassy in Pretoria has opened applications for the 2017 Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellowship."In 2017‚ the Fellowship will provide up to 1‚000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home‚" the US Embassy states on its website.The Fellows‚ who must be between the ages of 25 and 35‚ need to have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organisations‚ institutions‚ communities‚ and countries.The embassy said applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race‚ colour‚ gender‚ religion‚ socio-economic status‚ disability‚ sexual orientation or gender identity.Last year‚ fellows represented all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa‚ it noted. "They also represent diversity across the continent as 66 Fellows identified as having a disability‚ thirty percent came from rural areas or towns of fewer than 100‚000 people‚ and fifty percent of Fellows were women."The programme includes a six-week academic and leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university in one of three tracks: Business and Entrepreneurship‚ Civic Leadership‚ or Public Management.As part of a professional development experience‚ 100 selected Fellows are also partnered with U.S. non-governmental organisations‚ private companies‚ and governmental agencies that relate to their professional interests and goals.On their return to their home countries‚ fellows continue to build their skills through support from US Embassies‚ the United States Agency for International Development‚ the United States African Development Foundation and other partners.Fellows must be fluent in English.They must also be committed to their home countries and use their skills to serve their community.Applications available here...

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