Primedia scholarships for African media leaders at Rhodes University

Successful applicants, who should be from previously disadvantaged groups such as Blacks, Coloureds and Indians, will register for the SPI's one-year, full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management (PDMM), the only university-level media management course in Africa. The candidates must already possess an undergraduate degree from a recognised university in order to pursue postgraduate study. The Primedia scholarships cover:

• The full cost of tuition
  
• Accommodation and meals in one of Rhodes University's postgraduate residences
  
• Course materials and books
  
• A monthly subsistence allowance
  
• Medical insurance
  
• Travel costs between Rhodes and a candidate's homebase; and
  
• Mid-year media management internship costs.

The PDMM is a one-year, full-time programme designed to provide people who work or aspire to work in the media industry with critical skills and knowledge they need to perform more effectively and strategically in their organisations and to fast-track their careers to management positions.

The PDMM is equivalent to an honours degree - it is pegged at Level 8 on the National Qualifications Framework set by South Africa's qualifications-setting agency SAQA - and combines rigorous theoretical and practical grounding.

The diploma is composed of eight compulsory modules covering media economics and financial management; media markets, audiences and advertising; managing media content; managing circulation and distribution; media management and leadership; media management contexts, policy and institutions; new media and convergence; and human resources management.

For the Primedia scholars, they will additionally be expected to focus on management of electronic media and digital media management and most likely do their internship at companies of Primedia.

Application details and procedures:
Only candidates from previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Candidates should already have an undergraduate degree from a recognised university.

The application deadline for these scholarships is 23 December at 9am.

Students wishing to apply for these scholarships need to:

• Complete the Rhodes University's standard Honours Application form (available at www.ru.ac.za/applying/ under the section 'Postgraduate Studies') which must be submitted directly to the Registrar's Division at Rhodes University and a copy emailed to Linda Snam () at the Sol Plaatje Institute (SPI). Alternatively, these application forms can be obtained from Linda Snam on telephone 046-603-8851 or 046-603-8949; fax 046-622-9591.
  
• Submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae, including contact details. This is sent to the SPI only.
  
• Submit a certified academic transcript for their highest qualification (this is sent to both the SPI and Registrar's Division at Rhodes University); and
  
• Submit to the SPI a 1000-word letter of motivation, which explains why the student is interested in doing the PDMM, how the PDMM will assist the student's career and why the student believes she/he qualifies for the Primedia scholarship.

Preference will be given to students wanting to further their careers in broadcasting and who have experience in broadcasting and/or new media.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted after the applications close at 23 December at 9am. Copies of the candidates' application must have reached Linda Snam by this time.