MA in Governance and Regional Integration at Pan African University scholarship

MA Scholarship application - cover letter

I would like to you to help with my cover letter for Pan African University scholarship for scholarship in MA governance and Regional integration. Kindly note that there is no specified writing guidelines nor word limit, so l used the standard of two pages only.

I am applying to Pan African University Scholarship with a focus on Master of Arts in Governance and Regional Integration starting in 2021. This program is an opportunity for me to enrich my knowledge and professional outgrowth thereby contributing to the socioeconomic development, democracy and good governance as well as promotion of human rights in Zimbabwe and Africa. It is my ambition to be admitted to this post graduate program in order to gain extensive competence for future academic research and professional work. I graduated in 2016 from Lupane State University in Zimbabwe where I was granted with a Bachelor of Social Science Honors Degree in Development Studies.

Once one of southern Africa's most vibrant, productive, and resilient countries, Zimbabwe has faced a series of political and economic crises that have led to a general decline in the standard of living, gross human rights violations, and state perpetuated abductions of activists, opposition members, journalists, lawyers and silencing of dissenting voices. Worsening economic conditions, widespread food insecurity, poor service delivery, and corruption are also fueling frustrations, social tensions, and conflict. Political leaders at the whelms of affairs only embark on policies and activities that will propagate their populist agendas rather than policies that will seek to find lasting solutions to the problems that hinders Zimbabwe's socioeconomic and political growth and development. To this end, there is the need for tomorrow's leaders of Zimbabwe to have analytical knowledge and tools to formulate and implement convincing, viable, and results-oriented policies that will bring about accelerated growth and development in the country.

Working for over four years with different public and public policy research think-tanks, youth driven civic society organization in Zimbabwe resulted with deep understanding of need for capable and educated development practitioners and policy makers to modernize understanding of democracy implementation at different level of government agencies in Zimbabwe. Through my knowledge and experience, I find democracy and youth participation as a unique social and political system which paves the way for equality of all the people. I believe that new born leaders with new thought should be equipped with policy making knowledge and modern understanding of effective democracy system implementation particularly in Africa. Instantly, this new born leaders and policy makers will take part in public and private institutions and become the change we aim. As a future leader, this master program will expand my knowledge and experience to even more theoretical and practical aspects of good governance and regional integration in Africa.

My development work as programmes manager for National Youth Development Trust and volunteering at United Network of Young Peace builders taught me invaluable real-world lessons about management, leadership, and cultural openness. I ethically managed several grants worth tens of thousands of dollar focusing on civic engagement, youth empowerment, governance and democracy, human rights, peace building and public policy. I negotiated terms for projects with donors like USAID, GIZ Action Aid, non-government organizations (NGOs), and community groups. I worked within NGOs to carry out numerous projects. For instance, the ''Youth Advancing Accountability and Rights in Zimbabwe'' project which l implemented reached over 300,000 young people. The project intended to enhance youth understanding of constitutional rights and expand their opportunities for participation in demanding accountability and providing oversight of governance processes for more democratic and accountable governance. Also, my work experience as a community development officer, volunteering experience in a public policy think-tank coupled with that from United Network of Young Peace builders has embedded in me such skills as researching, communication, presentation, leadership, organization and management, traits which are relevant in achieving academic excellence.

I am applying to PAUGHSS to strengthen my understanding of relationship between good governance, integration and development, development theory and practice of good governance, poverty and inequality in the regional economy, and NGO management so I can work in the fields in which I have the most passion. Therefore, given the chance to be part of your master programme will enable me to get a professional role in the restructuring process in my country, which is currently facing a poor governance crisis. Through the provision of courses on the synergy between good governance, integration and development, development theory and practice of good governance and linkage between research and governance and regional integration. I will develop profound understanding of economic issues in local, regional and international level, gain deep- knowledge on how to manage and to find practical solutions for human rights challenges, economic problems, and sharpen comparative analysis and approaches in socio-economic in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.

It is my goal to join the ranks of scholars, professionals and development practitioners, who are working tirelessly to find practical and lasting solutions to the problems stifling Africa's Agenda 2063 goal and 2030 Agenda. Most African countries faces some forms of social, economic and political problems. Creative and well educated people are the ones who will play a vital role in resolving these problems. My aim of pursuing a master degree in Governance and Regional Integration is to gain analytic and practical knowledge in the field on international ground in order to be a part of the reform process in the development of my country and Africa. A Master In Governance and Regional Integration from PAU will be a step that will allow me to make an impact not only in the field of governance and development as a practitioner, but it will endow me with abilities that will make a difference in people's lives and also sharpens my professional skills to be resourceful in organizations both public and private in the domestic and international arena. I have nurtured a strong passion to be in international organization, academia and civil society and as such, to pursue studies to the PhD level, and I am of the conviction that a master's degree in Governance and Regional Integration will lay the necessary foundation required for the pursuit of higher academic knowledge.

I have chosen PAUGHSS because it has one of the best courses in the world. Its location in the heart of Cameroon Yaoundé governance is a significant draw. Access to important people in the public and private sector would be an invaluable component to my education. I enjoy small seminar style classes that encourage active intellectual discussion among students and quality relationships with peers and professors. Through my research and correspondence I have decided that PAUGHSS is the right fit for me at this time in my professional development.

In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge that, I am eager to gain experience, improve my skills and broaden my understanding and knowledge on good governance and integration. I am persuaded that taking part in this program offered by the PAUGHSS with its interdisciplinary approach, would contribute to my development as an expert of international repute in the best possible way. I hope to start a career in academia or work in an organization which influence policy making. The skills I may acquire through my studies will be an important asset in contributing to Zimbabwe and Africa's development.

Even though you did not have a word or page limitation for the essay, you should really not be writing more than a single page for the cover letter. After all, it is not a personal statement, not a statement of purpose, nor a motivational letter. It is merely an overview of the important facts that you will be presenting further in various essays that accompany the application. You are not judged on the cover letter alone. However, the cover letter should give the reviewer a pretty good idea of who you are as a student, civic leader, potential leader in your country, and what your plans for your future are. You should review this essay and edit the content. Focus only on the highlights of your achievements, successes, and notable work. As of now, the letter tends to ramble and lose focus from beginning to end. I have already told you what the reviewer will be looking for in your scholarship letter. Make yourself stand out in 3 aspects, academic, community, and other achievements. That way you will be able to give a thorough overview of the rest of your application essays.