The Highly Bureaucratic and Mafia Systems: Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

NoMan NoWhere The Highly Bureaucratic and Mafia Systems: Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

August 1, 2011; April 24, 2012; April 16, 2013; June 24, 2013; August 26, 2013;September 13, 2013; November 21, 2013

The Highly Bureaucratic and MafiaSystems: Scholarships, Bursaries, and

Awards

By NoMan NoWhere: Sirus Kashefi [email protected]

PhD in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto (2009-2016)PhD in Law from Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris (2001-2005)Master’s in Criminal Law and Criminal Policy in Europe fromPanthéon-Sorbonne, Paris (2000-2001)Master’s in Criminal Law and Criminology from the University ofTehran (1997-2000)LLB from Azad University of Mashhad (1992-1996)

Contents

Abstract.......................................................2Introduction...................................................31. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)........................................................42. Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS)..................63. The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program...........................94. Endeavour Research Fellowships.............................13The Final Notices.............................................22

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Abstract

In this paper, I give four examples of the scholarships,

bursaries, and awards that are highly bureaucratic and secret. I

seriously doubt that they take into account the passion,

capacities, experience, and knowledge of an applicant. Indeed, the

academic system bothers scarcely itself with explaining the

reasons of rejection of an application while it is full of cliché

answers and demagogic expressions that we can find in almost all

administrative letters sent to those who are unreasonably

rejected.

As a matter of fact, academic wealth and prestige, which stands

over students and taxpayers, is neither under the criticism nor

under any control to check its impartiality and fairness. In other

words, the intellectuals of responsible for these wealth and

prestige are abandoned to themselves to manage their own business.

There is no appeal against their decisions at all. It is amazing

insofar as the scholars – especially those who have monopolized

academic wealth and prestige in the universities and research

centers – do not stop telling us that we live in a democratic

society in which the people are counterbalance against the abuse

of power or authority by checking it. The secret distribution of

academic wealth and prestige goes hand in hand with the shortage

of research about this distribution whereby those who are not in

mainstream of academic elites find themselves outside the game

(i.e. academic capital).

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Keywords: Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards, Bureaucracy, and Mafia

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Introduction

After many years of studying and applying for several

scholarships, bursaries, and awards I would be in a position to tell

that the organizations distributing academic wealth and prestige are

extremely bureaucratic, secret, and based on friendship and a network,

and not on the capacities, experience, and knowledge of an applicant.

Indeed, they work as a real mafia system that aims at killing the

passions, capacities, and desires of those who ask scholarships or

bursaries when they do not belong to the favorite circle or caste of

few academicians who have monopolized power and authority in the

universities and the research centers. This academic murder is done

through a long process (at the international, federal, provincial, and

local levels) demanding many documents (such as CV, cover letter,

recommendations (or “Letter of Appraisal” in Social Sciences and Humanities

Research Council of Canada’s new jargon), proof of language

proficiency, transcripts, plan, and abstract). In addition, the

political and economic aspects are very important, since the elites of

this system prefer the political and economic topics that ensure

status quo in the university in particular and the society in general.

As a matter of fact, the dissidents and the radicals are very

unwelcome, on the one hand. The reasons of rejection of some

applications are most often unknown, on the other hand. In order to

placate the spirits of those who ask about the arguments of rejection

or about the fairness of the organizers and the distributors of

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academic capital, the latter are full of demagogic and cynical words

and expressions:

“We had a record number of very good applications this year, including yours, and I regret to

inform you that the selection committee did not choose yours”; “I have received interest from a

number of students, and after having carefully reviewed their suitability, I have decided that I will be

nominating another student who has a superior academic record and other credentials for this

scholarship”; “we wish you all the best in your future pursuits”; “should your plans permit, I would

encourage you to consider submitting an application to Fulbright Canada in the future”; etc.

In reality, those organizers and the distributors decide behind

closed doors under the name of the freedom of speech or “academic

freedom”! They have no obligation whatever to justify their choice.

Nobody knows those who decide on the applications; under some pretexts

(e.g. “the anonymity of the reviewers”), they are completely in shadow. As a

matter of fact, on the one hand, we are in front of a gigantic machine

for which there is nobody responsible. In the manner of political and

judicial immunities, there is indeed a type of “academic immunity”

insofar as the academic authorities are either invisible or too busy –

at least as they claim – to respond to the questions and critiques.

They are usually either in meeting or in travel! On the other hand, it

would be reasonable that the academic system is based on the payment

of the majority of students for the sake of the few cute students who

enjoy scholarships, bursaries, and awards.

As far as I am concerned, the only scholarship (“Les Centres Régionaux

des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires” (CROUS)) and award (master’s award of the

“Institute of Criminal Sciences and Criminology of the Faculty of Law” (University of

Tehran)) that I could obtain were due to the great help of my dear

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professor Mohammad Ashouri. This scholarship profoundly changed my

life; I became a doctor in law and an immigrant in Canada in which

they (especially the law professors) put me explicitly or implicitly

down thanks to my civil law background. Thus, they want to be too

blind to see the relationship between common law and civil law from

the point of view of comparative law. Firstly, common law and civil

law traditionally share certain common foundations (such as the

principle of legality, and the elements of the offense). Secondly,

civil law would challenge and improve common law, and vice versa.

Finally, the same departments that have turned down my applications or

have not even answered me at all invite certain civil law professors

to teach or to organize some conferences about civil law! In reality,

the difference between those professors and me would come mostly from

the fact that I, unlike them, belong to an outcaste that is legally

called “visible minority” in Canada.

However, after my first and last scholarship and despite all my

passion, knowledge, and experience, I have never been able to obtain

any type of scholarship, bursary, or award.

Therefore, let me give you four examples of this academic

bureaucratic and mafia system that I have experienced and known. These

are my negative examples, but good luck for those who profit from them

if they do not belong to any academic caste or godfather.

1. Social Sciences and Humanities ResearchCouncil of Canada (SSHRC)

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http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.cahttp://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/apply-demande/students-etudiants-eng.aspx

Web-Based Application and CV Forms

Application and CV Forms for Specific Programs

Appraisal Forms

The Letter of Appraisal:

When writing your comments, bear in mind that applications are

reviewed by a multidisciplinary selection committee, some members of

which may not be familiar with the field or sub-field in which the

candidate proposes to study. We recommend that you compile your

information in a word processor document.

Your Letter of Appraisal should inform the selection committee about

the following:

the candidate’s background preparation, originality, judgment, written

and oral skills, and skill at research; the proposal’s theoretical

framework, its relation to the field, and its methodology; the merits

and shortcomings of both the candidate and the program of study; the

importance to the discipline of the journals in which the candidate

has published and/or the candidate’s prospects for publication; the

appropriateness of the institution that will award the degree; and, if

applicable, the candidate’s proficiency in the foreign language(s)

necessary to pursue the program of study.

Type your Letter of Appraisal using a 12-point font and do not exceed

the space provided. Additional pages will not be submitted to the

selection committee.

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Once completed, you can then copy and paste this information into the

PDF appraisal form. Your data will print only when you exit the field

you have just completed. Print and sign the form.

The Departmental Appraisal:

For the Department Head:1. Read the application form, the two Letters of Appraisal, official

transcripts and any other attachments.

2. Rank master’s students and doctoral students separately – among

other students at their level. Include any bachelor's-level applicants

with the master's-level applicants.

3. In the section “Comments”, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of

the applicant’s performance, abilities and proposed program of study.

4. In the section “Language training”, comment on whether foreign

language training is essential to the applicant’s program, and the

applicant’s proficiency in the language(s).

5. When choosing if the applicant is a regular applicant or a direct-

entry applicant, keep in mind the following definitions:

Regular applicant is defined as a student who enters a doctoral

program after obtaining a terminal MA in any discipline. A terminal MA

is defined as a stand-alone master’s program degree that is not part

of a combined MA/PhD program.

A direct-entry applicant is defined as a student who enters a doctoral

program or a combined MA/PhD program directly from an undergraduate

degree, without having ever completed a terminal MA in any discipline.

6. Forward the following documents to the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• Application form

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• Any other documents attached by the applicant

• Two (2) Letters of Appraisal

• Departmental Appraisal

• All university level transcripts

• Application Checklist

If you are the Head of a department and are also completing a Letter

of Appraisal on behalf of an applicant, please ensure that another

faculty member completes the Departmental Appraisal.

Activity Reports

Final Research Report Form

Other Forms (Statement of Account Form (PDF document, 14KB), Annual

budget declaration form for grant holders, Outstanding Commitments

Form (PDF document, 469KB), Terminating or transferring a grant, For

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship holders registered at Canadian universities

and CGS Doctoral and Master’s Scholarship holders (Award Holders Guide

A, required forms), For SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship holders registered

at foreign institutions, and Postdoctoral Fellowship holders in Canada

or abroad (Award Holders Guide B, required forms), Annual budget

declaration form for grant holders)

2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS)

http://osap.gov.on.cahttp://educ.queensu.ca/teachereducation/awards/OGSandCGS-Info2011-12.pdfhttp://www.mie.utoronto.ca/graduate/files/OGSPaperApplicationFillable.pdf

9

http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/using-utiliser/guide-B/forms-formulaires-eng.aspx



http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/using-utiliser/guide-A/forms-formulaires-eng.aspx



http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/pdf/f303_e.pdf

http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/pdf/f303_e.pdf

http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/using-utiliser/grant_regulations-reglement_subventions/pdfs/statement300_e.pdf


https://stage.osap.gov.on.ca/uatconsum/groups/osap_web_contents/documents/osap_web_contents/prd003159.pdf

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Plan to be enrolled full‐time in an eligible program leading to a

master’s or doctoral degree at an eligible institution in Ontario.

Note: Students who are unable to study full-time due to a disability

are eligible to apply for and hold an OGS award. These students must

meet all other eligibility requirements and conditions.

• Are a Canadian citizen, Protected Person, or Permanent Resident or

have received a temporary resident visa as a member of the student

class under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). If applicable,

the date on your Protected Person, Permanent Resident, or Temporary

Resident Visa Student Class documentation can be no later than

November 17, 2010.

Note: You are not eligible for an OGS if you are a refugee claimant

and do not have a Temporary Resident Visa Student Class.

Minimum OGS Academic Standards

In addition to basic eligibility criteria, there are minimum academic

standards that must be met before you can be considered for an OGS:

• Applicants entering the first or second year of graduate studies at

the time of application must have an overall average of at least A-

(80% at Queen’s), or the equivalent, on the last 20 one-term/semester

courses, or the equivalent, completed.

• Applicants entering the third year or beyond of graduate studies at

the time of application must have an overall average of at least A-

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(80% at Queen’s), or the equivalent, on all graduate courses

completed.

If master’s or doctoral degree marks used for calculating an

applicant’s GPA are not available (e.g. courses were graded on a pass-

fail basis), then the Ministry/graduate studies office will use the

most recently available undergraduate/graduate marks to calculate an

applicant’s GPA.

Eligibility Conditions

The following conditions may affect your eligibility for an OGS award:

• You can receive a lifetime maximum of four years of government‐

funded student awards. Awards received under the following programs

are counted toward this lifetime maximum:

the Ontario government, through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Program,

the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC),

the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC),

the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR).

• You are not eligible for OGS if you will be in receipt of any other

awards in the same academic year as OGS where the total value of all

awards (excluding OGS) is in excess of $10,000. You cannot hold a

scholarship from SSHRC, NSERC, or the CIHR, or a Queen Elizabeth II

Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEIIGSST) at the same

time as an OGS.

• You may receive up to two OGS awards for a program at the master’s

level. The scholarship can be awarded for one or both of the first two

academic years, but not after the second year.

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• You may receive up to four OGS awards for a program at the doctoral

level. The Scholarship can be awarded in any of the first five

academic years but not after the fifth year.

University Transcripts

You will need to provide an official copy of all university

transcripts as part of your application, so please arrange to order

them early. Please ensure that your transcripts include all marks for

academic studies completed up to August 31, 2011.

Change Form (if applicable)

OGS Application Form, OGS Application Form – Page 2 and 3, OGS Application Form – Page 4

(signatures)

Student authorization/study permit form for Visa students

Institution Checklist

Student Checklist

Statement of Interest or Plan of Study

List of Significant Academic Accomplishments (if applicable)

List of Other Scholarships and Awards (if applicable)

The three last items must meet OGS requirements which are: letter

size, single spaced, 12 point Arial font, and 1/2” margins

Transcripts

All university transcripts must be included

No double-sided transcripts and no photocopies

Legends only from out of country transcripts (one copy only)

No Canadian legends

No Canadian college transcripts except for any college offering a

bachelor’s degree. If the transcript is from an institution outside of

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Canada and is classed as a university-college and the grades are used

to calculate the average, then these transcripts must be included.

Academic Assessment Report # 1 (no faxes/photocopies)

Academic Assessment Report # 2 (no faxes/photocopies)

Official Undergraduate and Graduate (if applicable) transcripts (no photocopies)

Summary Sheet

Departmental Ranking Committee must complete items 1-4 and sign this

form

Item 1 – Grade average taken from Ranked Candidates Form (one grade

only)

Item 2 – Overall departmental ranking taken from Ranked Candidates

Form

Item 3 – Section H. Overall ability taken from first Academic

Assessment Report (e.g., top 2%, top 5%, etc.)

Item 4 – Section H. Overall ability taken from second Academic

Assessment Report (e.g., top 2%, top 5%, etc.)

Items 5, 6 & 7 – student not to have received more than four years of

government funded student awards which include OGS, NSERC, SSHRC and

CIHR (previously MRC)

Signed and dated by Departmental Ranking Committee Member

Ranked Candidates Form

2011-2012 Ranked Candidates forms

Average Column (one grade only) – student must meet the minimum

eligibility requirements – no exceptions

Student name circled

Visa students – asterisk beside name

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Three Ranking Committee Members Signatures

File Preparation

Application in a legal size file folder

File folder label – proposed discipline code, student last name, first

name, masters or doctoral

All documents are either letter or legal size. If they are larger,

they must be reduced

Student meets all eligibility criteria. (e.g. A- average, no more than

four years of government funded student awards (OGS, NSERC, SSHRC,

CIHR (previously MRC), within funding period for masters and doctoral

students)

All documents are single sided. No two-sided documents

No staples or paperclips

If a transcript has been translated do not include the foreign copy or

the documentation from the translator. Only include the English

translation

No extra documents such as resumes, attestations, diplomas, copies of

degrees, extra reference letters, papers, books, blank pages

French documents to be translated. These files should be separated

from the other files

Files sorted by proposed level of study, discipline code, alphabetical

Student Visa Files - red dot on label, files separated from open

competition. Files sorted by discipline, alphabetical.

Do not separate by masters/doctoral.

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3. The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program

http://www.fulbright.cahttp://fulbright.state.gov/grants/which-grant-is-right-for-mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulbright_Program

Eligibility Requirements

• Canadian citizenship at time of application (permanent resident

status or landed immigrant status are not sufficient)

• English language proficiency

• Undergraduate degree (completed by August 31, 2011)

Please note that you are not eligible for a Canada-U.S. Fulbright

Program award if:

• You are a dual citizen of Canada and the United States

• You currently hold permanent resident status in the United

States

• You are currently residing in the United States or are enrolled at a

university or college in the United States

• You have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the

six year period immediately preceding the date of application

• You have already received a Student Fulbright award

• You have had recent substantial experience in the United States

(defined as extended study, teaching, research or employment for a

period of more than an academic year (nine months) during the past

five years.)

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• You are currently, or have been in the last year, a local employee

of a U.S. mission abroad, or have an immediate family member who works

for the U.S. Department of State.

Eligibility requirements, especially those determined by national laws

and policies, may change from time to time. It is the responsibility

of the applicant to keep himself/herself informed with respect to such

matters and to understand that compliance with all requirements is

required to meet our eligility requirements.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

General Remarks

1. All forms in this application are to be completed in English and

must be typewritten in black ink or printed from a computer. Font size

must not be less than 10 points.

2. Every question must be answered completely. Incomplete applications

will not be considered. Please limit your responses to the space

provided.

3. Please note that neither the application package nor the letters of

reference may be submitted by fax.

4. Please submit one complete set of items 1 through 5 listed below.

Your submission is to include one of each item, in the order listed.

Please use a temporary fastener (i.e. paperclip). Do not staple your

package. Do not put material in a binder or duo-tang. For all

attachments to the application form us 8½“ x 11” white paper with 1”

margins and 12 point font size.

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5. Submit only the items requested; unsolicited materials will not be

included in the review process.

6. Completed applications should be returned to the Foundation as soon

as possible. Applications received must be postmarked no later than

November 15. You will be notified if any part is missing.

A COMPLETE APPLICATION CONSISTS OF ITEMS 1 THROUGH 9 AS DETAILED

BELOW.

Please note that items 1 through 5 are to be submitted by the

applicant directly to The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program, along with

the checklist (item 9). Items 6 to 8 are to be submitted directly to

the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program by the issuing institution or

referee.

1. Canadian Student Application Form

All sections must be completed. The application form provides an

overview of your most important accomplishments and your

research/study objectives in addition to providing biographical

information. Do not write Please see attached CV in any of the fields.

2. Statement of Proposed Study or Research

The Statement of Proposed Study or Research is an important component of your

application package and is required of all applicants.

You should take great care in writing a clear and detailed description

of the project you intend to pursue. For all types of awards, you must

demonstrate that residence in the United States is essential for your

project, that knowledge in a particular area of learning will be

advanced, and that plans have been made for the dissemination of the

17


results both in Canada and the United States. Clearly show your

project’s relation to the study of the United States or the

relationship between Canada and the United States and demonstrate the

way in which mutual understanding between the two countries will be

enhanced (i.e. development of long-term institutional linkages,

relevance to contemporary public policy debate, shared knowledge in a

particular area of study, etc). For additional instructions specific

to each award category, applicants should consult the information

below.

Your Statement of Proposed Study or Research will be evaluated on its academic

merit, feasibility of the project, and suitability to the program. It

must not exceed four pages.

Formal Enrolment Category

• discuss proposed program of study

• identify specific areas of interest within your chosen field of

study

• outline any planned or required research papers to be undertaken,

such as a thesis

• identify degree expected and anticipated date of completion

• if your proposal is part of a longer-term project, please elaborate

• explain choice of institutional affiliation

• describe project goals and end-product

• discuss the significance of the project for the field

Research and Independent Research Categories

• discuss research questions

• explain methodology to be employed

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• outline expected timeline for completion of project

• if your proposal is part of a longer-term project, please elaborate

• explain choice of institutional affiliation

• describe project goals and end-product

• discuss the significance of the project for the field

• attach a one-page select bibliography (in addition to 4 page

statement of proposed research)

3. Curriculum Vitae

Please submit a curriculum vitae, not to exceed four pages. Please

include scholarships or fellowships held at present or in the past,

academic honours or prizes that you have received (with titles and

dates), a list of publications (especially in your proposed field of

research), professional societies or other organizations in which you

now hold membership or in which you have been active in the past,

teaching experience and research activities, in addition to employment

and volunteer work.

4. Personal Statement

Please submit a one-page narrative statement discussing your

professional and academic development as well as future plans. With

reference to your personal qualities and experience, please discuss

your ability to represent Canada in the United States. Your ‘Personal

Statement’ should not be a mere listing of facts, nor should it repeat

the content of your statement of proposed study or research or C.V.

Rather, it should include information about your education and career,

scholarly activities, special interests, and the reason for which you

wish to study or conduct research in the United States. Given that the

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Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program seeks to further mutual understanding

between Canada and the United States, please highlight any experiences

that demonstrate your ability to adapt to other cultural settings, a

willingness to share with or learn from others of different national

identities, and your ability to act in an ambassadorial capacity for

Canada. Please note that your Personal Statement is limited to one

page.

5. Letter of Invitation

Include a letter of invitation or acceptance from your host

institution or, if you have not received a letter, please attach any

relevant correspondence from the institution in the United States. If

you have not yet received any correspondence from the host

institution, please forward the correspondence to the Canada-U.S.

Fulbright Program upon receipt.

6. Confidential Letters of Reference

Please arrange for the submission of letters from three persons

qualified to evaluate your academic and professional development and

personal suitability to the program. Letters of reference should be

written by professors under whom you have studied or pursued research

or by someone who has supervised you in the workplace. Where

applicable, one reference should be from your thesis supervisor.

Letters of reference should be written in English and should not be

written by persons related to you either by blood or marriage, or by

personal friends. A cover sheet is provided in this application

package for distribution to each of the referees. You may also direct

your referees to www.fulbright.ca/en/graduatestudent.asp where the

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cover sheet is available separately to download. Please also provide

each referee with a copy of your statement of proposed study or

research.

7. English Language Proficiency Report

If your first language is not English, you are required to submit a

language proficiency report to attest to your competence in English.

Please see attached English Proficiency Report for further details.

8. Confidential Transcripts

An official transcript is required from each university or post-

secondary institution that you attended, including those schools from

which you did not receive a degree. Official transcripts from each

post-secondary institution should be mailed directly to the Foundation

by the issuing institution. Transcripts must be submitted in English

or accompanied by an official translation.

9. Canadian Student Application Package Checklist

Please complete this form and submit it to the Canada-U.S. Fulbright

Program with your application package.

4. Endeavour Research Fellowships http://www.innovation.gov.au/InternationalEducation/Endeavour/Pages/Endeavour.aspx

Glossary

Academic Transcript: The list of subjects and academic results provided

by some institutions to the applicant, usually at the end of each

semester, trimester or term.

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Admission letter: A formal letter confirming enrolment from your host

organisation for Endeavour Postgraduate, Endeavour VET and Prime

Minister’s Australia Asia Awards.

Applicant: The person applying for an Endeavour Award.

AusAID: Australian Agency for International Development.

Award Contract: Contract entered into between the Contractor and Award

Holders detailing each party’s responsibilities.

Award Holder: The successful applicant who receives an Endeavour Award.

Contractor: Austraining International Pty Ltd – contracted by DEEWR to

manage the post-selection support services for the Endeavour Awards.

Country: Any reference to a country includes that of an economy

otherwise referred to as a region.

DEEWR/the Department: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace

Relations, its employees, agents and contractors.

DFAT: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

DIAC: Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Fieldwork: Program research activity directly related to your field of

study which is undertaken during your Award outside your Host Country.

Guidelines: The Endeavour Awards 2012 Applicant Guidelines.

Home Country: The country of citizenship and/or permanent residency of

the applicant.

Host Country: The country to which the Award Holder will travel to

undertake their program.

Home Organisation/ Institution: The organisation the applicant works for or

the institution they attend in their country of citizenship and/or

permanent residency.

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Host Organisation/Institution: The organisation or the institution the

applicant will attend for study, research or professional development

in the host country. Your host must not be in a DFAT Level 5 country.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System.

Internship: Any paid or unpaid work related to the Award Holder’s field

of study.

Nomination letter: Letter from your host confirming placement and

required if you are applying for any of the Endeavour Research

Fellowships or Endeavour Executive Awards.

Participating Countries: As set out in Section 4.3 (International) and

Section 5.3 (Australians) of these Guidelines.

Postdoctoral Fellow: Person who has completed a PhD and is undertaking

research.

Postgraduate Student: Student who is undertaking studies at a Masters or

PhD level.

Professional Development: Professional training rather than an academic

course undertaken to enhance knowledge and skills required for a

person’s profession.

Proposed Program: The study, research, professional development or

internship activities outlined by applicants in their application for

an Endeavour Award.

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language.

Undergraduate Student: Student who is undertaking studies at a Bachelors

or Honours level.

Age

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Award Holders must be aged 18 years or over at the commencement of

their Award. There is no maximum age limit.

Eligibility Requirements

International applicants must be citizens and/or permanent residents

of a participating country (see Section 4.3) and may not hold dual

citizenship with Australia.

International applicants who currently hold a valid Australian student

visa are not eligible to apply.

Applicants who have completed an Endeavour Award and/or AusAID

Scholarship in the preceding 24 months (2 years) before the current

round of the Endeavour Awards are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must have completed the equivalent to an Australian Year 10

secondary qualification (minimum) at the time of application.

Applicants must have applied for and gained admission to a Diploma,

Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree course at an Australian

vocational education institution. Conditional letters of offer will be

accepted at the time of application.

Please note that if your admission letter contains prerequisites (i.e.

certificate IV leading into a Diploma), these must be included in the

admission letter. We will not accept two separate admission letters.

Selection Criteria

a record of academic achievement in educational and vocational

activities and a minimum of two years full-time or equivalent relevant

work experience is highly desirable. Preference may be given to

applicants with work experience that is directly related to their

proposed course;

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a well defined study or research program

a proposal that is relevant to the applicant’s needs and to the

needs and interests of Australia and the applicant’s home country;

the applicant’s potential to foster ongoing collaboration and

cooperation with Australia and potential to participate at a high

level in the academic or wider community in their home country on

return from their program, and

evidence of participation in community service outside of the

applicant’s regular studies and/or employment duties

Award Conditions

Award Holders must sign an Award Contract with the Contractor

regarding the conditions of the Award prior to commencing the Award.

The Award is conditional upon Award Holders meeting any

conditions that are outlined in the Award offer letter sent to

successful applicants prior to commencement.

Award Holders must commence their Award after 1 January, 2012.

Award Holders must commence their Award no later than 30

November, 2012.

Applicants who have already commenced their program at their host

organisation are ineligible.

Award Holders must undertake the program outlined in their

application for at least the minimum Award duration unless otherwise

approved by DEEWR.

Award Holders must undertake the proposed program outlined in

their application and abide by the rules of the host

organisation/institution.

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Any changes to the Award Holder’s program or itinerary must have

the prior approval of DEEWR.

Should an Award Holder be prevented for any reason from taking up

their Award within a reasonable timeframe, DEEWR may, at its absolute

discretion, withdraw the offer of an Award.

Visas

It is the responsibility of Award Holders to apply for and satisfy the

requirements for the issue of an appropriate entry visa to their host

country. The offer of an Award does not guarantee the granting of a

visa and is conditional upon gaining a visa. Any costs associated with

obtaining the visa is the responsibility of the Award Holder.

Award Holders may be required to undertake a medical examination to

satisfy health requirements for the issue of a visa for entry into

their host country.

Family members or dependants wishing to accompany or visit an

Endeavour Award Holder in Australia should contact DIAC's nearest

overseas mission for advice about travelling to and living in

Australia. For further information and contact details please visit

http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/.

Police Checks (Australian Award Holders Only)

All Australian Award Holders will be required to undergo a police

check before their Award is confirmed. It is an important

consideration of DEEWR that recipients are suitable persons who will

enhance the reputation of Australia and the Endeavour Awards overseas.

A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from

receiving an Award. However, if an Award Holder is found to have a

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criminal record or conviction which DEEWR considers would harm the

reputation of the Endeavour Awards, then DEEWR may, in its absolute

discretion, refuse to grant or revoke an Award.

Award Suspension and Termination

The Award may be terminated at any time for misconduct, for failing to

comply with the laws of the host country, for breaches of the Award

conditions or for failure to make satisfactory academic progress

(where applicable).

Employment

International Award Holders must obtain permission from their host

institution and check their visa conditions with the DIAC to determine

whether they are entitled to work in Australia.

Australian Award Holders must obtain permission to undertake

employment from their course convenor or program supervisor and the

Contractor. This is also subject to approval from the relevant

authority in the host country, including visa conditions.

Award Completion

Award Holders are expected to return to their home country at the

completion of their program.

Travel Warnings

An Award Holder must not travel, without the approval of the

Contractor, to a country or a part of a country that has been assessed

by DFAT as an area to which Australians are advised not to travel

(Level 5 DFAT advice); or where DEEWR considers a particular country

is not likely to be safe; or where DEEWR considers that the Award

Holder would not be able to complete the program for which the Award

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was given. If this condition is breached an Award may be suspended,

revoked or terminated.

Applicants should monitor the DFAT website at the following link for

current information about countries that are considered a travel risk:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is a program research activity directly related to your

field of study which is undertaken during your Award outside your Host

Country. The total of all periods of fieldwork undertaken should be

for no more than 50% of your proposed Award duration.

Approval of fieldwork activity is not automatic and requires the

approval of an Award Holder’s Host Organisation and the Department.

Please note that stipend payments (living away from home allowance)

are not payable for the period that an Award Holder undertakes

fieldwork in their Home Country, except in exceptional circumstances.

Any exceptional circumstances will be considered by DEEWR on a case by

case basis.

Internship (Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Awards only)

A unique aspect of the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Award is the

opportunity for Award Holders to undertake an internship. The

overarching aim of the internship is to develop internationally-aware

future leaders who have the skills and knowledge to be able to compete

and collaborate in a globalised market.

For the individual Award Holder the aim of the internship component is

to provide them with an opportunity to gain international professional

experience in their field and build professional networks in Asia.

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http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/


Supporting Documentation Required at the time of Application

Certifying Documents

Applicants must certify (attest) their proof of citizenship and/or

permanent residency (if applicable), proof of Language proficiency

(IELTS or TOEFL results included) and transcripts. Information about

the certification of documents is below.

To certify a document as a true copy, applicants should present the

original document and a copy to a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner

of Oaths, Public Notary or other formally recognised authority in

their home country. This could include lawyers, doctors, civil

servants, teachers, your work supervisor, university Dean or course

convener.

The official should sight the original and the copy of the document

and ‘certify’ the copy by writing “I certify that the copy is a true

copy of the original document”. The official should stamp (if

available) and sign under the statement and provide details of their

occupation.

Please note that the cost of any fees charged by notaries for

certification of documents is the responsibility of the applicant.

When submitting an online application, applicants should scan the

certified true copies of their supporting documents (not the

originals) and attach them as .pdf, .doc or .rtf files. The system

will not accept .jpeg files. Please do not send original documents to

DEEWR.

If you do not provide the required documentation as specified for each

Award Category, your application will be deemed incomplete and

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therefore ineligible and will not be considered further. DEEWR cannot

assess your qualifications without this information.

Proof of Citizenship and/or Permanent Residency

Proof of citizenship

Applicants must provide one of the following:

Certified/attested copy of the data page of a current

passport showing full name, date of birth and country of citizenship,

or

Certified/attested copy of a birth certificate or national

identity card showing full name, date of birth, and country of

citizenship. If the original document is not in English, an official

certified English translation must be provided.

Proof of permanent residency (if different to country of citizenship)

Certified/attested copy of official documentation showing evidence of

permanent.

Proof of language proficiency

Applicants must provide one of the following (a, b, c or d) to satisfy

documentation requirements:

IELTS – A certified/attested copy of an official IELTS result. The

test should have been undertaken no earlier than 31 December 2009 and

meet the minimum Award requirements (see table below).

OR

TOEFL – A certified/attested copy of an official TOEFL result. The

test should have been undertaken no earlier than 31 December 2009 and

meet the minimum Award requirements (see table below).

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OR

A certified academic transcript as proof of completion of one full

year of study (levels listed below) conducted in English within the

last ten years in one of the following listed countries:

Australia, American Samoa, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand,

Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United

Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or

Zambia.

University level – Endeavour Postgraduate Awards and

Endeavour Research Fellowships (including Endeavour Australia Cheung

Kong Research Fellowships and Endeavour Research Fellowships for

Indigenous Australians)

Year 12 minimum equivalent (Endeavour Executive Awards)

year 10 minimum equivalent (Endeavour VET Awards)

Applicants must have studied physically in the listed country (not by

correspondence).

OREndeavour Research Fellowships (including Endeavour Australia Cheung


Indigenous Australians) and Endeavour Executive Award applicants ONLY.

Host Organisation confirmation (as per the Endeavour Awards Nomination

Form) that your language ability is suitable for your proposed

program.

Transcripts – proof of your highest academic achievement

For the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Awards, the Postgraduate Award

and the Research Fellowships (including Endeavour Australia Cheung

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Indigenous Australians)

Certified (attested) copy of academic transcripts (undergraduate

degree minimum) – transcripts must show the subjects and scores. If

the transcript is not in English, a certified (attested) English

translation must be provided. Do not include the academic transcript

in the original language.

Academic transcripts must be accompanied by an explanation of the

marking system.

For the VET Award

Certified (attested) copy of academic transcripts (equivalent to an

Australian Year 10 secondary qualification minimum) – transcripts must

show the subjects and scores. If the transcript is not in English, a

certified (attested) English translation must be provided. Do not

include the academic transcript in the original language.

Academic transcripts must be accompanied by an explanation of

the marking system.

For the Executive Award

Certified (attested) copy of academic transcripts (equivalent to

an Australian Year 12 secondary qualification, or a trade or

vocational qualification of a least certificate III level or above

(AQF accredited minimum) – transcripts must show the subjects and

scores. If the transcript is not in English, a certified (attested)

English translation must be provided. Do not include the academic

transcript in the original language.

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Academic transcripts must be accompanied by an explanation of the

marking system.

Evidence of Admission – Formal Admission Letter from your Host

A letter to potential universities to assist in your application for

admission is attached to the last page of these Guidelines (see

Section 8).

For the Postgraduate Award

Applicants applying for an Endeavour Postgraduate Award must have

applied for and gained admission to a Masters or PhD course in

Australia and provide a formal Admission letter from their Host.

Conditional Admission letters of offer will be accepted at the time of

application. Please note that you will not be funded for Masters level

study leading to a PhD - you must choose one, either Masters or PhD

level study.

For the VET Award

Applicants applying for an Endeavour VET Award must have applied for

and gained admission to a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate

Degree course at an Australian vocational education institution and

provide a formal Admission letter from their Host. Conditional

Admission letters of offer will be accepted at the time of

application. Please note that if your admission letter contains

prerequisites (i.e. certificate IV leading into a Diploma), these must

be included in the admission letter. We will not accept two separate

admission letters.

Evidence of Nomination – Completed nomination form from your Host

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For the Executive Award and Research Fellowships (including Endeavour

Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships and Endeavour Research

Fellowships for Indigenous Australians)

Applicants must be nominated by their host organisation and provide a

completed nomination form from the host organisation with their

application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their

host fills in a nomination form and sends it back to the applicant to

upload on to their application by the closing date.

Evidence of Affiliation – Evidence of Affiliation from your Host

institution

For Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Outgoing Postgraduate and

Undergraduate Awards

Applicants must provide at least one of the following pieces of

documentation confirming their affiliation with their host

institution:

1. Provide a formal Admission letter from their Host. Conditional

Admission letters of offer will be accepted at the time of

application; or

2. Provide evidence of communication with the host in the form of a

letter (on university letterhead) or email; or

3. Provide a letter from the home university detailing the partnership

arrangements between the home and host institutions (must be on the

university’s letterhead).

Referee reports

Three referee reports must be submitted on the form provided on the

Endeavour Online system. Two referee reports should be from

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supervisors, lecturers or course convenors that are familiar with the

applicant’s recent academic performance and abilities. If it has been

some time since you finished studying, you may wish to choose referees

who know you in a professional capacity e.g. employers or business

associates.

One referee report should be a non-academic or character reference. It

is highly recommended that your non-academic referee reports are from

professional colleagues or associates rather than from family members

or friends. Referees are asked to answer all the questions in the

report and comment as freely as possible to increase the applicant’s

chances of being selected.

Referee reports may be sent by the referee directly to DEEWR (reports

must be received seven days prior to the closing date to allow

sufficient time for DEEWR to attach to the application) or returned to

the applicant to be submitted with the other application

documentation.

Statement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status

Applicants for the Endeavour Research Fellowships for Indigenous

Australians must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

descent, identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and

be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived.

Applicants must provide written documentation to DEEWR’s satisfaction

verifying that he or she is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait

Islander by providing Confirmation of Indigenous Status via:(i) a

certified birth record or genealogy as applicable to the applicant; or

(ii) a letter signed by the Chairperson of an Aboriginal and/or Torres

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Strait Islander incorporated organisation (where records are not

available).

Employment record/CV

To assist us with assessing your application, please supply a letter

from your current employer or past employers confirming your position

and length of employment with them.

Evidence of Community Service

You will need to provide evidence of participation in community

service in any area that provides a benefit to your nation and/or your

community. This may be in such areas as arts, culture, environment,

multiculturalism, healthcare, education, civic duty, business

innovation, community volunteerism, sports and recreation, youth,

seniors or indigenous leadership. Some examples are below:

Charity work such as working for Amnesty International;

Volunteering, mentoring, coaching or instructing, umpiring or

refereeing;

Honorary service to university organisations, such as the

student union, sporting clubs or student representative council;

Honorary service on school or university newspapers, clubs or

activities;

Honorary service to community organisations such as legal aid

offices outside normal degree requirements;

Honorary service to the local area e.g. organising a voter

registration campaign;

Election to office in community organisations;

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Significant contributions towards reconciliation or closing

the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.

This involvement could include an ability to lead and motivate others

as well as displaying a talent for new solutions, ideas and

enterprises that show originality and must be outside of your regular

studies and/or employment duties.

Evidence may include but is not limited to, a certificate of

appreciation, letter of acknowledgement, letter from the community

service provider, club or centre. Additionally, one of your referees

may wish to confirm your community service.

(…)

The Final Notices

Among those gigantic administrations, the Australian system is

undoubtedly the longest and the most bureaucratic. Its answer to my

application for a 2011 Endeavour Research Fellowship was too short and

amazing as well:

“The 2011 main round of the Endeavour Awards attracted a large number of high quality applications

resulting in a very competitive field of candidates. Unfortunately, on this occasion your application has

not been successful.

The Endeavour Awards selection process is highly competitive for a comparatively small number of

available Awards and as a result many candidates who met the Award requirements were not ranked

highly enough for further consideration by the selection panels.

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You may contact DEEWR for further information on the reason(s) why your application was

unsuccessful by emailing [email protected]. Please ensure you include your full name

and application ID as the subject of this email.”

Despite their advice (I contacted DEEWR) and my insistence on the

reasons of the rejection of my application, they simply answered me:

“Applicants have now been advised of the outcome of their application. All unsuccessful applicants will

be provided with further advice in relation to their applications within 30 days of your request. Please

be patient while we respond to each applicant individually.” And what I received was

nothing at all!

The answer of the Fulbright Canada Adjudication Committee regarding my

application for a 2011-2012 Fulbright award was also amazing: “in order

to protect the integrity of the process and the anonymity of the reviewers, we do not provide comments

from the independent review committee or any other information related to the review process”!

Besides, those scholarships, bursaries, and awards have created

some specialists who know better than any other person what is the key

of success! As a matter of fact, a group of professors and

administrative workers prepare the workshops, conferences, and so on

in order to tell the students how they will be able to be among the

winners! This is one of their favorite advices: “In general, you must have an

A- grade point average (at least in your last 2 years of study, sometimes longer) to be eligible. And, to

be competitive, sometimes an A or A+ GPA.” Consequently, if a student were not

unfortunately “good enough” to obtain A (because of his rebellious

life during his study or that of not having a good relation with his

professors, for example), he would have to pay for that “original sin”

during all of his academic existence!

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mailto:[email protected]


On the one hand, somebody can tell us that this academic system

has hitherto worked due to progress in Western countries through their

universities and research centers. If it were true, it would be also

the fact that we do not know how many times that system has

discriminated some students or scholars because of their ideas,

backgrounds, or race. In the past they were, for example, Jewish

people who were excluded from or restricted in the universities, how

about today? Immigrants? Indians? Black People? Political dissidents?

…

On the other hand, somebody criticizes my paper because of the

lack of proofs. I challenge and criticize the academic system because

it is neither transparent nor democratic; it secretly and selectively

works. As a matter of fact, it is neither under the criticism nor

under any control to check its impartiality and fairness through

pretending the virtue of academic freedom. Those who have terribly

prepared the above-mentioned documents, paid money, and wasted their

time in those long and ordealic processes must know that there is no

appeal against the decisions of academic capitalism at all. It is

amazing insofar as the scholars – especially those who have

monopolized academic capital in the universities and research centers

– do not stop telling us that we live in a democratic society in which

the people are counterbalance against the abuse of power or authority

by checking it. In other words, the intellectuals of responsible for

that capital are abandoned to themselves to manage their own business.

The secret distribution of academic wealth and prestige, which

stands over students and taxpayers, goes hand in hand with the

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shortage of research about this distribution whereby those who are not

in mainstream of academic elites find themselves outside the game

(i.e. academic capital). In this case, there is really a “law of

silence” governing the academic systems. The academic Godfathers are

perfectly able to pass into silence any demand for explanation and

transparency. Let me give an example of my own experience of demanding

for “Academic Conference Funding” at Osgoode Hall Law School. There

are the decision of Honorable Professor Peer Zumbansen, former

Graduate Director, and my email to him who did not answer me at all.

“To: [email protected]: academic conference fundingFrom: [email protected]: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:50:30 -0400

Dear Sirus

You received conference funding in May 2011 for a conference you attended. I have checked with Peer

Zumbansen to see if you would be elegible to apply for funding again in May 2012. He said no, that

would be against normal procedure.

Regards

Donelda McLeanGraduate Program SecretaryGraduate Program in LawRoom 4044 Ignat Kaneff Building

Very Dear and Honourable Mister Professor Zumbansen,

I’ve wanted to apply for “Academic Conference Founding”. I am going to present my paper Democracy:

A Philosophical, Political, and Legal Trap, Eye-Catching, and Catch-All in “Securing Justice: A Critical

Examination of Security Ten Years after 9/11”, Centre for Interdisciplinary Justice Studies, University of

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Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 10-12, 2012. I asked that founding in January 2012; you can ask Madam

McLean about my demand.

Last year, I was in “The Graduate Law Students’ Society of UBC” on May 13 - 14, 2011. My paper

published by UBC: Kropotkin’s Anarchist Ideas About Criminal Law: Between Sensualism and Scientism,

in “Creative Law: Selected Papers from The University of British Columbia’s 16 th Annual Interdisciplinary

Legal Studies Graduate Students’ Conference”, 2012, pp. 132-244

(https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/41159).

I would be very happy if you give me please the reason of your notice: “that would be against normal

procedure”. What is against normal procedure? What is the rule that imposes to my application? I

would like to know the rule that I must follow as a modest student. I have the right to demand that

funding one time per year, and this year I have received no funding at all.

I thank you very much for all your greatness, kindness, and comprehension, and have a wonderful

afternoon,

Sirus Kashefi”

I had already contacted Professor Shelley Gavigan, former

appointed Associate Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School who was also

blind, deaf, and mute regarding my question of reason of rejecting my

demand, and I forwarded that email to her. However, I would like to

thank Madam McLean very much for her kindness and reliability that I

always enjoy as a graduate student. When I accidently found Professor

Zumbansen in his office at Osgoode, which is abundantly decorated by

slogans of justice and plurality in order to seduce new clients, he

simply answered me that because there were many applications for

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conference funding he could not accept mine! I replied: “Your attitude is like

that a university rejects some applications because there are many applications!”

In 2013, Professor Liora Salter, the successor of Professor

Zumbansen at the head of Graduate Program, has ordered to cut totally

my Academic Conference Funding when escaping from answering me

directly! By Madam McLean’s advice, I have directly, contacted Dayna

Nadine Scott, new Graduate Director, who, like her legitimate

ancestors, has been absolutely mute about the cutting of 2013, she has

never replied in spite of her promise to reply! On November 20, 2013,

Graduate Program Secretary eventually answered: “The department is unable to

offer you any Academic Conference Funding at this point in time as you had received the Academic

Conference Funding within the last 12 months. Thank you for your application, if you have any

questions please feel free to call or email me.” Should I say that my previous

application was last year for Securing Justice: A Critical Examination of Security 10

Years after 911 at the University of Winnipeg in May 2012! In 2013, I

indeed applied for my presentation in Congress of the Humanities and

Social Sciences, University of Victoria, June 5-8, 2013. So, it was

more than one year. It seems to me that all these Osgoodian Godlike

personalities act or react against those who they do not like as they

please for some reasons that are behind our rationality! Are they

really segregating? Let God know!

Furthermore, it is very amazing to see that the academic system is

traditionally demanded to research on discrimination and bureaucracy

when it is itself a discriminative and bureaucratic machine from the

top-down. Apparently, those problems are outside the universities and

not inside them!

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Finally, I fervently think that academic scholarships, bursaries,

and awards in particular and academic administration in general are

two of the most racist and mafieux systems that have ever existed in

human existence. And despite this ugly face of academia, there are

almost no scholars to denounce it, no studies to analyze its quantity

and quality. Due to the lack of transparency and to that of

responsibility, any attack on those mafia systems is like “Don Quixote’

attack on windmills that he believed to be ferocious giants.” In other words, such an

attack would be described as a type of “intellectual paranoia”,

“intellectual conspiracy” invented by “a frustrated applicant”, or

“academic suicide” according to the “academic conspiracy theory”. The

four academically financial systems, like TD Canada Trust and

Scotiabank, prove that there is really no name, no responsible behind

them, these mafia systems thus function as phantom. Who is so

courageous or naïve to play a Don Quixote’ role against them?

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The Highly Bureaucratic and Mafia Systems: Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

Documents

Transcript of The Highly Bureaucratic and Mafia Systems: Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards