University Partnerships & Exchange (UPEX) Rwanda Program 2021 for Mid-career Administrators

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln launched today the University Partnerships and Exchange (UPEX) Rwanda Program, an innovative fellowship that will provide mid-career administrators at Rwandan colleges and universities with a year of enrichment and practical training on university advancement and international partnerships.

Application Deadline: 11th December, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Central African Time.

About the Award: Over the course of one year (2021), fellows in the Cohort will participate in a hands-on virtual training program on international partnership development; learn best practices through case studies and site visits in Rwanda and the United States (travel conditions permitting); and be matched with dynamic U.S. mentors to further understand and develop program skills. Nebraska will also leverage expertise within its network of peer institutes across the United States and university partners in Rwanda to deliver program content virtually and on-ground.

Key concepts that will be covered in the UPEX-Rwanda Program, include but are not excluded to:

• Internationalization of higher education
• Strategic planning and functions of university international partnerships
• Stakeholder identification and engagement
• Fundraising and grant-writing
• Project implementation and management
• Designing and maintaining sustainable programs and relationships
• Special topics tailored to unique fellow needs and interests

At the conclusion of the program, each Cohort fellow will be expected to present an international partnership proposal for their institution; write a collaborative group white paper on applications for Rwandan higher education; and jointly organize a final symposium with the goal to establish a network of higher education professionals across Rwanda interested in developing international partnerships.

Type: Short course

Eligibility: The UPEX-Rwanda Program is a fellowship program designed for mid-career professionals who work at Rwandan institutions of higher education. Applicants not meeting the below technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

• Are a citizen or permanent resident in Rwanda
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
• Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa
• Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities)

The U.S. Department of State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reserve the right to verify all information included in the application. In the event of a discrepancy, or if information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Selection Criteria: The selection committee will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in higher education administration in Rwanda and international partnership development
• A commitment to applying development skills and training to benefit the applicant’s institution after the conclusion of the program
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
• Strong social and communication skills; and
• An energetic, positive attitude.

Eligible Countries: Rwanda

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: An innovative fellowship that will provide mid-career administrators at Rwandan colleges and universities with a year of enrichment and practical training on university advancement and international partnerships.

Duration of Award: 12 months

From February to July 2021, fellows should be prepared to spend 4-6 hours of preparation work each month for module reading assignment and guided questions. Each week, the Cohort will have up to 3 hours of virtual or in-person sessions with program coordinators, content experts and mentors according to the following schedule:

• Week 1 | Prepare & Introduce Concepts: Nebraska coordinators will lead an introductory session to build context for the module’s learning outcomes and share reading materials before the Week 2 workshop with the content expert.
• Week 2 | Virtual Training Workshop: A U.S. content expert will lead the Cohort in a virtual training workshop that includes roundtable discussions and activities related to the module’s theme. Fellows will be expected to review course content (e.g. case studies, presentations and videos) in advance, and complete a practical assignment related to the final deliverables.
• Week 3 | Pratical Application: Cohort fellows will work independently or in small groups to complete module assignments and advance their final projects. 
• Week 4 | Cohort Mentorship & Review: Mentors will check in with their fellow mentee(s) to provide practical examples reinforcing module learning objectives and provide feedback on their final project proposal. Program coordinators will also lead a brief group review session of key concepts and a self-analysis of progress made towards learning outcomes.

The final module in August and September 2021 will include a final series of site visits and preparation sessions as the fellows finish their project proposals, the Cohort white paper and organize the final symposium in Rwanda. Final proposals must address all elements covered in the program modules and will be presented for review to the U.S. Embassy in Kigali for funding up to $10,000 of a new U.S.-Rwanda higher education partnership.

How to Apply: APPLY FOR THE 2021 COHORT

• It is important to go through all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.
• GOODLUCK

Visit Award Webpage for Details