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M.Sc. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME IN SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
FOR LEAST DEVELOPED MEMBER COUNTRIES (M.Sc.)
1. INTRODUCTION
The IDB launched the M.Sc. Scholarship Programme in Science and
Technology,
or M.Sc. for short, for IDB Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs) in
1419H
(1998).
2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
The objective of the M.Sc. is to assist the LDMCs in the development of their human
resources in science and technology that are both relevant and necessary for their
socio-economic development.
The scholarship is tenable for two (2) years leading to an M.Sc. degree
and is open
only to students from 20 LDMCs. The list is at the end of this section.
3. CONCEPT OF THE PROGRAMME
To increase the number of intermediate level manpower in the LDMCs (i.e. the
M.Sc. graduates); and to enable them to participate in the IDB Merit Scholarship
Programme for High Technology (MSP).
4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The students applying for M.Sc. Scholarship Programme must meet the following
eligibility criteria:
LDMC citizens only;
Age not over 30 years;
B.Sc. or equivalent degree in science & technology.
5. FIELDS OF STUDY
Students may apply only for Science, Engineering, Technology and Medical
Sciences.
6. PLACE OF STUDY / PLACEMENT
Placements begin in September and the second one in January. Selected candidates
are required to undertake complete medical tests and, depending on the school/
country they go to, may also be required to submit other documents.
Pre-admission or full admission from universities or institutions listed under the
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M.Sc. is strongly encouraged for early placement.

Reputable institutions of study in member countries are listed by the IDB. Others
may be considered if their academic credibility and reputation can be substantiated
as being high in the fields of study proposed by the candidates. The list of approved
institutions of study is available at the Offices of the IDB Governors in the LDMCs,
the designated focal/contact points and the SCH.
7. BENEFITS AND FACILITIES
The scholarship covers education, health and living costs as well as return air tickets
as approved by the IDB. The students will also be provided with extra-curricular
personal and social development activities.
8. ANNUAL TIMETABLE
The Programme is announced through the IDB Governors Offices in the countries
concerned. The timetable is as follows:
January - Announcement of the Programme
April - Deadline for submission to IDB/SCH
The offer is valid for approximately one year from the date of formal offer to the
scholar.
Applications to be sent through the IDB Governors Offices.
9. SELECTION PROCEDURE
The IDB Governors Offices receive the applications, pre-assess eligibility and submit
their priority applications to the IDB for final assessment and selection by the IDB
Management.
10. OBLIGATIONS OF PARTNERS
i. Candidates
Candidates awarded the M.Sc. scholarship must:
a. Complete study, return home and resume work in science and
technology;
b. Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal
and professional conduct consistent with the overall mission of the
IDB as an Islamic institution.
ii. Offices of the IDB Governors
As the channel of announcement and initial processing of the applications,
the Offices of the IDB Governors are expected to:
a. Announce the Programme as widely as possible among the scientific
and research communities in the country;
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b. Disseminate information and application forms to all relevant scientific

and research institutions and interested scholars in the country;
c. Screen and pre-process applications to ensure eligibility and
completion of the documentation as required;
d. Pre-select and submit to the IDB only those who are most qualified
and in the proposed fields of study that are most needed for the
development of the country.
11. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
The day-to-day implementation of the Programme is undertaken by the SCH but
it is supervised by the IDB management while the IDB Governors Offices help to
implement the Programme in the countries.
12. INQUIRY AND HOW TO APPLY
The applications must be submitted through the IDB Governors Office for the
country concerned. Application forms and other documents may be obtained from
the IDB Governors Office, the designated Contact/Focal Points for the Programme
and/or the SCH, IDB.
Detailed instructions on how to apply are given in the application form
and at the IDB Website : www.isdb.org
13. LIST OF LEAST DEVELOPED MEMBER COUNTRIES
1. Afghanistan
2. Benin
3. Burkina Faso
4. Chad
5. Comoros
6. Djibouti
7. Gambia
8. Guinea
9. Guinea-Bissau
10. Maldives

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Niger
Palestine
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Togo
Uganda
Yemen

Office of the Scholarship Division (SCH)

P.O. Box 5925 Jeddah 21432 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone:+966 12 6361400, 6466835 (direct)
Fax:+966 12 6366871, 6466887 (direct)

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