International Research Fee Scholarships for China (UWA China Scholarships) * [F19680]

Transcription

1 International Research Fee Scholarships for China (UWA China Scholarships) * [F19680] An asterisk (*) indicates that these scholarships are governed by conditions. Note: These conditions are subject to change by University committees in International Research Fee Scholarships for China (UWA China Scholarships) are available to eligible students to undertake study for Doctor of Philosophy(PHD) at The University of Western Australia (the University). The scholarships are normally awarded to graduates from the Chinese universities listed as 985 or 211 Program Universities, but applications from graduates of other Chinese universities are also considered. The scholarships are awarded in accordance with the following conditions. 1. Title 1.1 The scholarship is called the UWA China Scholarships. 2. Purpose 2.1 These scholarships provide payment of international student tuition fees set by the University and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in conjunction with an award from the China Scholarship Council, which provides airfares and a living allowance. 3. Value 3.1 The value of the scholarship is (a) the international student tuition fees set by the University for the course in which the student enrols; and (b) the cost of OSHC for the student, for the duration of their scholarship, which may be up to four years. 3.2 The scholarship does not cover student union or amenities fees, costs associated with overseas fieldwork, living expenses, bridging English language courses or travel expenses associated with the relocation of the student to take up the scholarship. 4. Concurrent scholarships 4.1 A UWA China Scholarship China Scholarship may be held concurrently with another external or University award provided that the conditions of the concurrent +award so permit. 5. Visa entitlements and requirements 5.1 A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship is not an approved Australian Government funded scholarship scheme and China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship holders are required to pay for visa application fees for themselves and their dependants. 5.2 A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship does not cover any medical costs associated with the issue or renewal of a student visa. K1

2 5.3 It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they hold a valid visa while in Australia. 5.4 If a visa expires, the student may be removed from Australia. 5.5 Where a China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship holder is granted an extension to their scholarship, they may be required to renew their student visa. Further details can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). 6. Health care cover 6.1 China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship holders and their dependants are required to join the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. The University meets the cost of a standard OSHC policy for the award holder only. It is the responsibility of the award holder to pay for the cost of health cover for their dependants. 6.2A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship covers the cost of medical and hospital care in Australia, most prescription drugs and emergency ambulance transport. 6.3 China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship holders may wish to purchase additional OSHC if they require cover for ancillary services such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc. A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship does not cover OSHC for ancillary benefits. 7. Eligibility requirements 7.1 To be eligible to apply for a China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship a student must (a) be a Chinese citizen and normally resident in China at the time of application, unless otherwise approved by the China Scholarship Council; (b) hold a degree from a recognised Chinese University, normally at least equivalent to an Australian First Class Honours degree; (c) not hold a Doctorate by research degree deemed the equivalent of an Australian Doctorate by research degree; (d) be eligible to enrol in the degree of PhD; and (e) demonstrate that they have adequate English language proficiency by providing evidence of meeting the University s minimum requirements from a recognised English proficiency test. 7.2 To be eligible to take up a China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship a student must (a) be recommended by the China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship Council and in receipt of a scholarship from the Council which provides a living allowance of approximately AUD$20,400 per annum for a period of up to four years, or up to the date of submission of the thesis, whichever occurs first; K2

3 (b) enrol in the degree of PhD; (c) enrol in a PhD in an area of research concentration and be recommended by the head of the school in which the proposed study is to be undertaken; (d) normally be commencing full-time, on-campus study for the degree of PhD within 12 months of the date of offer of the scholarship; (e) be undertaking an approved research project compatible with the key areas and majors sponsored by the China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship Council unless otherwise approved by the Council. 8. Body responsible for selection 8.1 The selection committee is the Scholarships Committee of the University. 9. Selection criteria 9.1 The scholarships are awarded to the applicants, who among those eligible, are ranked highest and on the basis of the following criteria (a) academic achievement; (b) English proficiency; (c) research output; and (d) the quality of the proposed research training environment. 10. Selection process 10.1 Scholarship applications are ranked by the nominated Schools using instructions provided by the Scholarships Office. The ranked lists are then endorsed by the appropriate Faculty, before being forwarded to the Scholarships Committee for assessment and awarding. 11. Duration of award 11.1 The scholarship is tenable for the duration of the course for which it is awarded which is three years for a doctoral degree Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the scholarship or undertaken during suspension of the scholarship are deducted from the maximum period of tenure Students may apply for an extension of up to 12 months, by applying for six months only at one time, subject to satisfactory progress, provided the grounds for extension are related to their research and are beyond the control of the student A second six-month extension will not be approved if work has not progressed during the first extension Extension of tenure is conditional upon the submission of the Research Proposal and Confirmation of Candidature, and all outstanding milestone reports including Annual and Interim Reports and Travel Award Reports, if applicable An application for extension must include the following K3

4 (a) a completion plan detailing the work to be undertaken by the student and supervisor to achieve the submission within the specified period of the scholarship and signed by the student, the supervisor and the head of school/graduate research coordinator;. (b) for a second extension, Ad Hoc Scholarships proposal form confirming the provision of living allowance stipend for the duration of the scholarship with school/faculty funding details including valid Business Unit and Project Grant numbers. 12. Criteria for continuation 12.1 Continuation of the scholarship from year to year is subject to the recipient (a) maintaining continuous enrolment at the University as a full-time student; and (b) submitting, through their supervisor and the head of school, a satisfactory Annual Progress Report to the Board of the Graduate Research School (BGRS). 13. Method of Payment 13.1 The Scholarships Office arranges payment of the scholarship recipient's international student tuition fees and OSHC with the International Centre, on behalf of the student. 14. Nature of award 14.1 The scholarship may only be used for the course of studies for which it is provided and cannot be used for any other purpose Any proposal by the candidate to alter the research areas indicated in the original application and letter of offer must be approved by the Graduate Research School and the China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship Council. Approval is subject to the new research areas being an area of research concentration where adequate University supervision and facilities are available The award of a scholarship is subject to the written acceptance of the Offer of a Scholarship by the student and must normally be taken up within twelve months of the date of the formal offer of the scholarship A scholarship offered at the University may not be taken up at another institution. 15. Suspension 15.1 Where students are unable to pursue the degree they must seek approval in the first instance from their supervisor and head of school for a period of suspension Applications for suspension must be submitted to the Scholarships Committee for consideration If the proposed suspension is to commence after the first six months and is of less than 12 months' duration the Scholarships Committee may, at its discretion, approve the suspension. K4

5 15.4 Failure of the award holder to resume study or to make arrangements to extend a period of suspension within the specified time will result in the scholarship being terminated If the proposed suspension is to commence within the first six months or the accumulated period of the suspension(s) is of more than 12 months' duration an application must be made to the Scholarships Committee to seek approval of the suspension. The application is only considered if there are exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the student A suspension, or accumulated periods of suspension, of more than 12 months' duration or one that commences within the first six months without the written permission of the Scholarships Committee is a breach of these conditions and the scholarship may be terminated immediately A scholarship holder who suspends a scholarship must suspend candidature in the degree for the commensurate period. Periods of study undertaken during suspension of the scholarship are deducted from the maximum period of tenure of the scholarship The University endeavours to ensure that scholarship holders are advised of their option to suspend rather than relinquish their scholarships (subject also to meeting the requirements relating to suspension of candidature), thus keeping open the option of resuming their scholarships at a later date In exceptional circumstances a further period of suspension of not more than 12 months, subject to the approval of the BGRS, may be approved Suspensions must not exceed two years in total under any circumstances International scholarship holders must seek advice from the University s International Centre in relation to the effect that a period of suspension may have in relation to visa regulations. A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship holder will not be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover during a period of suspension. 16. Transfer 16.1 A China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship offered at the University may not be taken up at another institution. 17. Leave entitlements 17.1 Approval of all paid and unpaid leave is conditional on scholarship holders having submitted the Research Proposal and any milestone reports such as Confirmation of Candidature, Annual and Interim Reports and Travel Award Reports which are due at the same time of the proposed leave. 18. Recreation leave 18.1 Students undertaking a higher degree by research (HDR) are entitled to four weeks' recreation leave a year calculated on a pro-rata basis Recreation leave may be accumulated subject to No more than 30 days recreation leave may be accumulated and leave must be taken during the tenure of the scholarship. K5

6 18.4 Approval to undertake periods of recreation leave must be obtained from the supervisor and head of school before the leave is taken Applications for paid recreation leave will not normally be approved within the first six months of the commencement of the award or prior to the submission of the Research Proposal. 19. Paid overseas leave 19.1 The BGRS and the China Scholarships Council may grant approval for paid overseas leave for scholarship holders to (a) take annual recreation leave; (b) to attend conferences; and /or (c) undertake fieldwork and conduct research towards their HDR, outside Australia Applications for paid overseas leave for recreation or research will not normally be approved within the first six months of commencement of the scholarship or prior to the submission of the Research Proposal Approval to undertake fieldwork or conduct research outside Australia is only granted where the research is essential for completion of the course. Students are not permitted to spend any more than 12 months overseas to study by remote candidature The BGRS and the China Scholarships Council approves overseas leave to undertake fieldwork or conduct research where the student has confirmed in writing that the proposed destination has not been listed as a dangerous zone by the Department of Foreign Affairs and there is adequate supervision at the overseas institution The scholarship holder must maintain contact with their supervisor and remain enrolled at this University Students should note that in the event of war or civil disturbance breaking out in a country to which they have travelled for the purpose of research, the University's travel insurance policies may cease to apply Failure to obtain approval for overseas leave may result in the scholarship being suspended or terminated. 20. Research at other organisations (within Australia) 20.1 The BGRS and the China Scholarships Council may approve a scholarship holder conducting field work or undertaking a substantial amount of research in Australia at organisations outside the higher education system provided adequate support, supervision, training and research freedom for the student is available at the other organisation Applications to conduct such fieldwork or research must be approved by the Scholarship Committee and on the understanding that the University remains responsible for the student. K6

7 21. Employment 21.1 International students are automatically given the right to work when they are issued with a student visa. Any enquiries concerning visas and visa applications must be made through the University's International Centre A full-time international student is only permitted to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment during the notional standard working hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. No more than eight hours paid employment a week between the hours of 9am to 5pm will be permitted. Parttime work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the scholarship The University does not require a student to undertake employment and the Scholarships Office must be satisfied that part-time work does not interfere with the study programme. Students must refer to the regulations governing work permit visas, defined by DIAC.21.1 The University does not require a student to undertake employment A scholarship holder may undertake only a strictly limited amount of paid employment during the notional standard working hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday No more than eight hours employment a week during notional standard working hours is permitted The head of school is responsible for ensuring that excessive part-time employment is not undertaken to the detriment of the student s studies Working hours must be noted on the scholarship holder s Graduate Research School Annual Progress Report International students are automatically granted permission to work when granted a student visa. International students must check the conditions of their visa on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website Restrictions in 21.2 and 21.3 apply to all scholarship holders, domestic and international students, enrolled full-time or part-time. 22. Termination 22.1 A scholarship is terminated (a) on submission of the thesis or at the end of the scholarship, whichever is earlier; (b) if after due enquiry, the BGRS considers that the student has not fulfilled their obligations, has not met the eligibility criteria or is not making satisfactory progress, and no alternative arrangements can be made for continuation of the postgraduate research degree; K7

8 (c) if the student does not resume study at the University after a period of study overseas, or does not make arrangements for an extension of the period of study overseas; (d) when the student ceases to be enrolled as a full-time research student; (e) on the death, incapacity, resignation or withdrawal of the student; (f) upon the granting of permanent resident status to the student (other than under the Permanent Resident Class 818 provisions); (g) if the cumulative period of suspension of the scholarship exceeds 12 months. 23. Specific University obligations 23.1 Supervision The University has established a Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research and Supervision. Students must read and familiarise themselves with its content Administration The University must (a) be fair and equitable in the use of its discretionary powers; (b) abide by the principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988; (c) advise students of appropriate appeal mechanisms for the resolution of any academic disputes that might arise during their candidature; (d) provide students with adequate facilities and appropriate supervision; (e) make provision for Students Plan Personal Accident Insurance Specific student obligations Students must diligently and to the best of their ability apply themselves to the successful completion of the degree Students are required to conform to the rules, regulations and policies (including disciplinary provisions) of the University Students must abide by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) codes on human and animal experimentation, guidelines established by the Australian Government's Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee and rulings of relevant University committees including the Animal Ethics Committee, Human Research Ethics Committee and Institutional Biosafety Committee Students must provide all reports required by the University, including an annual report submitted through the supervisor and Head of School. If the University does not consider that progress is satisfactory the scholarship is terminated, or the student placed on probation The University does not accept liability for injury or damage suffered or caused by the student. K8

9 Candidates must abide by the principles of the China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship Council in relation to the living allowance scholarship provided by that Council. 24. UWA China Safety-Net Top-Up Scholarship 24.1 A UWA China Safety-Net Top-Up Scholarship, providing a supplementary stipend, must be provided for each successful applicant The UWA China Safety-Net Top-Up stipend rate plus the China Scholarships Council stipend rate must be at least equal to the value of UWA s minimum postgraduate research stipend (approximately $26,360pa in 2012) The UWA China Safety-Net Top-Up is paid in fortnightly instalments through the UWA payroll system The award and value of the UWA China Safety-Net Top-Up stipend for each year is wholly within the discretion of the Scholarships Committee. The Committee will take various factors into consideration, especially the value of the China Scholarship UWA China Scholarship Council stipend The UWA China Safety-Net Top Up Scholarship rate is reviewed annually and the annual value may be varied up or down in subsequent years from the amount initially quoted in the year of commencement. K9