Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship
(Dual Campus Master of Arts in Peace Building)
The Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS), a Dual Campus Master of Arts Programme, is a shared initiative of The The Nippon Foundation, the UN Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). The objective of the programme is to train young Asian professionals to become peace building practitioners, ready to take up leading positions in their organizations.
The programme offers specialised language training for candidates with intermediate and advanced levels of English proficiency and includes MA Coursework in an area related to peace building (11 specialisations available!), MA Coursework with an Asian perspective and the design and implementation of an 8-week intensive field project.
Description of the Scholarship
This 18 – 21 month (depending on English proficiency) intensive academic programme begins in March 2013 and is accomplished in five terms:
- Language training at AdMU in the Philippines (6 months for candidates with intermediate English, 3 months for candidates with advanced English);
- MA coursework at the UPEACE Campus in Costa Rica (11 specialisations available);
- Specialised Asia-focused coursework at the AdMU campus in the Philippines;
- The implementation of an 8-week field project;
- The implementation of a 6-week field project.
Thirty admitted applicants will be granted a full scholarship, provided by The Nippon Foundation. This includes: all tuition fees, the language-training module, academic materials, air travel, living expenses and basic insurance during the period of studies.
The APS offers theoretical and practical post graduate education to young Asian professionals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, providing them with a deep understanding of the central issues of peace building. Participants will broaden their knowledge base and will be able to engage with the major concepts, themes and debates within peace studies, preparing themselves for work with NGOs, governments, aid agencies, the UN and other organizations.
Furthermore, this programme empowers participants to conceptualize the key challenges faced by the international community, as well as the most promising potential areas and courses of action through an interdisciplinary and multicultural perspective.
Academic Schedule
From March to June 2014 (The Philippines), English Module 1: Intermediate English Training:
Accepted applicants with an intermediate level of English language proficiency will participate in this first module of English Training. The intensive 3-months English training will focus on grammar, syntax and sentence formation in all four aspects of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. This module thus prepares the student for the advanced English training.
To be accepted to this first module the applicant must meet the following minimum English Standardized Test Scores:
| TOEFL (PBT) |
TOEFL (IBT) |
TOEFL (CBT) |
IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 513 | 71 | 183 | 5.5 |
From June to August 2014 (The Philippines), English Module 2: Advanced Academic English Training:
Applicants with a high level of English language proficiency will start the programme with English module 2, together with the students who successfully completed Module 1.
The students in Module 2 are expected to have close to perfect grammar, very few mistakes in sentence structure, confidence in public speaking and presentation, and proficiency in listening to academic lectures.
The language instruction in English Module 2 will be integrated with an Academic Content Class. This will help the students to contextualize their language competencies in the Social Sciences and Peace Studies fields by increasing their vocabulary and analytical skills in these fields. The course also prepares the students for their upcoming MA coursework at the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica and their internship in an international organization with English as the working language.
To be accepted to this second module the applicant must meet the following minimum English Standardized Test Scores:
| TOEFL (PBT) |
TOEFL (IBT) |
TOEFL (CBT) |
IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 530 | 90 | 215 | 7 |
From August 2014 to May 2015 (Costa Rica), Specialised MA Coursework: Students will continue their studies in one of the Specialised MA Programmes offered by UPEACE:
- Environmental Security and Peace
- Environmental Security and Peace – Specialization in Climate Change and Security
- Gender and Peace Building
- International Law and Human Rights
- International Law and the Settlement of Disputes
- International Peace Studies
- Media, Peace and Conflict Studies
- Natural Resources and Peace
- Peace Education
- Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development or
- Sustainable Urban Governance
From June to July 2015 (The Philippines), Specialised Asia-focused Coursework: Students will pursue two specialised courses with a focus on Peace building in Asia.
From July to September 2015 (Asia), Field Project: Participants will implement 6 week field projects in Asia, principally in the Philippines.
From September to Early November 2015 (The Philippines), Specialised Asia-focused Coursework: Students will pursue an additional two specialised courses with a focus on Peace building in Asia.
Early December (The Philippines), Graduation
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Applications are accepted from students all over Asia, with preference given to students who:
- Have at least 2 years work experience in a relevant field;
- Have Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution;
- Demonstrate a compelling desire to work on issues related to peace and conflict;
- Demonstrate a commitment to learning in an international and multi-cultural environment.
- Are from countries where English is not widely spoken, particularly Japan, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.