The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program Implementation of

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program Implementation of the Program in South Africa Global Partners Meeting – Bangkok, Thailand March 12 – 18, 2006

Contents • • • The Selection Process Support & Monitoring Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Placement Alumni Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements

The Selection Process Defining the Target Group Main Challenges: o Linking the eligibility criteria to the identified human resource requirements in the areas of the country with the greatest development needs o Lack of infrastructure needed to create development opportunities in rural areas resulting in an increase in the migration of eligible applicants to urban areas Solutions Found: o Placing the emphasis of eligibility on academic entry level; previous lack of access to higher education; relevance of the field of study; demonstrated commitment to involvement in community development in the identified target areas

The Selection Process Outreach/Recruitment Main Challenges: o High advertising costs in SA o Period needed to reach target group in the most remote areas o Selective dissemination of information in rural areas due to the desire to capitalize on limited higher education opportunities o The growing trend in urban migration Solutions Found: o Advertising in both national & regional newspapers with readership among eligible applicants o Making application available through the local dedicated website o Encouraging Program participants to act as ambassadors for the Program by identifying & recruiting suitable candidates o Strategic distribution of Program information materials

The Selection Process Selection Criteria Main Challenges: o Establishing criteria that best measures eligibility against the identified key areas of development in the country and the human resource requirements for meeting these Solutions Found: o Focusing the criteria for selection on the proposed field of study and the subsequent ability and commitment that would be needed to contribute to the key development needs of the country

The Selection Process The Selection Procedure Main Challenges: o Reading & evaluating all applications thoroughly within the limited time available o Ensuring evaluation is based on the same selection criteria during each phase of the procedure and that any specific recommendation notes are recorded & forwarded throughout the procedure Solutions Found: o Adherence to a planned and structured selection schedule o Having the criteria listed on a standard evaluation sheet that is attached to each eligible application

The Selection Process The Interview Panel Main Challenges: o Finding qualified persons able & willing to dedicate the time needed to conduct interviews o Ensuring panel members record their evaluation of candidates based on the agreed selection criteria so as to adequately support their nominations Solutions Found: o Having panel members with both an affinity to the Program objectives & experience in the various fields of study o The Panel members adherence to the interview schedule & the review assessment done at regular intervals using a standard score sheet to ensure every candidate is evaluated fairly against the same criteria

The Selection Process Needs Assessment & PAT Main Challenges: o Developing an assessment tool designed to measure a Fellow. Elect’s skills against a universally accepted standard at MA & Ph. D levels that forms an integral part of the Program o Finding ways of providing for identified PAT needs within budget and time restraints o Providing computer skills training to Fellows based in remote rural areas where there are no suitable facilities Solutions Found: o Using the Panel members’ experience and ability in identifying any additional skills development needs required for completing further studies successfully

The Selection Process Needs Assessment & PAT Solutions Found Continued: o Developing a PAT assessment exercise in cooperation with a local university that is incorporated into the activities of the postselection orientation meeting o Using the assessment results to provide the IP with a comprehensive evaluation and the possible options for any recommended PAT solutions for each Fellows-Elect (e. g. attendance of bridging courses) o Using the evaluation and PAT recommendations with the Fellow. Elect in identifying suitable institutions during the placement process

Support & Monitoring Regular, Emergency & Academic Main Challenges: o Managing the support & monitoring activities as the number of Fellows-Elect & Fellows joining the Program increases o Recognizing when a potential problem is developing, which is not always easy with written/telephonic communications, and taking the necessary action to resolve it o Ensuring Fellows-Elect & Fellows take responsibility & ownership of the monitoring process as part of their leadership skills development

Support & Monitoring Regular, Emergency & Academic Solutions Found: o Having a set schedule for contacting Fellows-Elect & Fellows based on the requirements of the various phases of the Program o Keeping records of all support & monitoring activities in the Fellows-Elect & Fellows individual files & on the database o Developing a document to summarize the key points from the Fellows Handbook that can be issued to all Fellows-Elect during the pre-departure orientation meeting o Ensuring Fellows-Elect also prepare a schedule pertaining to their academic reporting requirements at the beginning of each academic year, which can then be given to the supervisor & IP

Support & Monitoring Sandwich Programs Main Challenges: o That a Fellow considers a sandwich program for its relevance both to the study objectives and availability within the study period o That Fellows do not rely on IP staff to do the necessary planning & preparation for integrating a sandwich program into their study period Solutions Found: o Providing support & guidance to Fellows-Elect & Fellows in their research on courses that will enhance their study objectives & that can be attended within their study period o Monitoring progress in these activities to assist Fellows in being prepared well in advance

Support & Monitoring Alumni Main Challenges: o Keeping in contact with Alumni returning home, especially if they are either unemployed and do not have the resources to maintain telephonic/electronic connections or have employment commitments that limit the time they can spend on Program related activities o Ensuring Alumni take responsibility & ownership of their future participation in & contribution to the Program Solutions Found: o Working through the elected leadership of the SA Alumni Association once this has been established in May 2006!

Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Cohort Building Activities Main Challenges: o Keeping motivation levels at those created during the cohort building activities held during the post-selection orientations o Providing the framework for Fellows-Elect, Fellows & Alumni to take responsibility & ownership of the development of the SA Cohort and its contribution to members of both the local & international Cohort Solutions Found: o Involving Fellows-Elect, Fellows & Alumni in developing & facilitating activities to highlight the purpose and benefits of building a Cohort o Encouraging the use of networks established for sharing information & providing support to each other during the various phases of the Program

Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Leadership Main Challenges: o Providing opportunities for Fellows-Elect, Fellows & Alumni to demonstrate/develop these skills o Fellows-Elect, Fellows & Alumni taking the initiative for demonstrating their leadership abilities through their participation in activities that require them to take on a leadership role Solutions Found: o Encouraging the development of leadership skills through circulating news on achievements o Providing a platform for Fellows-Elect & Fellows to demonstrate their leadership abilities through facilitation of cohort building activities by those available & willing to participate

Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Main Challenges: o Building the preparation for attendance at a workshop into the Cohort building activities so that Fellows can identify with the benefits o Encouraging the Fellows to utilize their Online email facility more effectively Solutions Found: o Providing a platform for Fellows & Alumni who have attended a workshop to share their LSJ workshop experiences with members of the SA Cohort & develop appropriate exercises to prepare other Fellows still to attend o Ensuring all Fellows are familiar with the functioning & purpose of the email facility through a practical demonstration during the pre-departure/cohort building orientations

Placement Local & International Main Challenges: o Identifying both the region & institutions most likely to meet the study objectives o Ensuring any PAT requirements are either included in the study period or completed prior to arrival o Fellows being adequately prepared prior to departure – in particular arrangements for family members left behind, provisions made for financial obligations etc. o Resignation period for some Fellows being longer than the time available before departure

Placement Local & International Solutions Found: o Individual guidance being offered to Fellows-Elect in selecting the region and possible institutions during and after the postselection orientation o The assistance provided by representatives of the IPP o The contributions made during the placement process by Fellows already placed o Adequate preparation for the period away being a topic of one of the Cohort building activities facilitated by the Fellows/Alumni participating in the post-selection orientation o Ensuring Grant Agreements are signed at least 3 months prior to the proposed departure date

Placement Clustering Main Challenges: o That a SUP is selected for the right reasons & will in fact satisfy the study objectives and any PAT requirements of the Fellows o Maintaining a close working relationship with the SUP, especially with regard to meeting any PAT & monitoring requirements Solutions Found: o The cooperation created through strategic university partnerships o Utilizing the advantage of being able to liaise with other IFP Fellows already attending a SUP o Ensuring local SUP’s are visited regularly to discuss the need for the IP to maintain a closing working relationship with the SUP in monitoring & supporting the Fellows placed there

Alumni Communication & Evolving Work Main Challenges: o The risk of losing the benefits associated with the experiences that Alumni have gained through the lack of employment opportunities in their areas of specialization o Creating an environment in which Alumni can continue to participate in & contribute to the Program’s objectives Solutions Found: o Encouraging Alumni & graduating Fellows to keep in contact to ensure their participation in future activities & informed about possible sources to tap for employment opportunities o Involving Alumni in the strategy planning for the post-program period by initiating a meeting to facilitate the formation of an Alumni Association in South Africa

Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements Selection Challenges: Selection Achievements: Over the last 4 years o xxxx eligible candidates have applied for a Fellowship Award o xx candidates have been selected o x Fellows have been offered/won additional awards to study at the next level

Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements Support & Monitoring Challenges: Support & Monitoring Achievements:

Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Challenges: o o Developing a strong cohort that is equipped with the leadership skills to implement projects that reflect the success of the Program’s intervention in South Africa Having more SA Fellows contribute to the IFP Online thematic discussions Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s Achievements:

Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements Placement Challenges: o Ensuring Fellows placed locally do not miss out on the benefit of the exposure to overseas institutions that enrolling on a sandwich program provides Placement Achievements: o o o All Fellows-Elect have been successfully placed More than 50% of Fellows have elected to study locally Xx Fellows have graduated “Cum Laude”

Summary of SA Program Challenges & Achievements Alumni Challenges: o Establishing and sustaining a viable Alumni Association Alumni Achievements: