The Dorcas Muthoni PhD Fellowship is a tribute to our Doctor Honoris Causa
Dorcas Muthoni.
Dorcas Muthoni, a Kenyan engineer and entrepreneur, CEO and founder of the
company Openworld, received our University’s highest recognition on 15th
December 2017 for her significant work in the promotion of engineering
studies among young women in Africa, the mentoring of young people, and her
social commitment in the fight against poverty. All the details can be
found here
<https://www.upf.edu/web/media/enoticies/-/asset_publisher/wdGAWZ7EMj53/cont…>
.
This scholarship is aligned with our university institutional commitment to
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it aims to
contribute to quality education and gender equality for African Women.
The first edition of this PhD Fellowship was opened in 2018. We are pleased
to launch our second edition in 2020.
The main objectives of this fellowship are:
*(i) to promote gender equality & contribute to reduce the gender gap in
ICT*; by facilitating more women pursuing
scientific/technological/engineering careers and lowering the barriers
women face when pursuing careers in STEM disciplines
*(ii) to share excellent research with African female researchers during
their PhD Studies*. Our ICT department <https://www.upf.edu/web/etic> consists
of more than 20 research groups
<https://www.upf.edu/web/etic/research-groups> who are very active in
international research projects (e.g. currently active in 38 H2020 research
projects) and nationally we have the Spanish research excellence seal Maria
de Maeztu). The Maria de Maeztu Strategic Research Program
<https://www.upf.edu/web/mdm-dtic> is a 4 year research initiative funded
by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness to promote
data-driven knowledge extraction research within the department.
*(iii) to contribute to future social impact in African countries*. The
applicants are expected to return to their African home country after
completion of their PhD studies in order to pursue a career related to ICT
there.
This PhD fellowship seeks doctoral applications from *talented African
female students (only African nationality applicants will be considered)* with
strong research interests. Candidates for PhD positions must hold an M.Sc
degree or equivalent.
Full information is here:
https://www.upf.edu/web/etic/predoctoral-research-contracts
