Scholarships at the University of Malta for Tunisians

Scholarships for Tunisian Nationals offered through Official Development Assistance from the Government of Malta and the University of Malta - Call for Applications 2023.

The Government of Malta and the University of Malta launched this scholarship programme in 2015 with the aim of supporting capacity building in Tunisia. The response from Tunisian students has been encouraging and, consequently, a decision was taken to expand the offer to two distinct fields: Engineering and Sustainable Energy.

Through its Official Development Assistance Programme, the Government of Malta aims, above all, to promote solidarity and provide assistance in a number of key areas including education and human capacity development. These scholarships provide an opportunity to a number of students to deepen their skills and know-how on important issues, thereby providing them with an opportunity to contribute towards the growth and prosperity of their own country.

Master of Science in Engineering (Mechanical) (Research)

The Scholarship offers an opportunity for a Tunisian national to specialise in Engineering at a post-graduate level.

 

TOPIC FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Life Cycle Assessment of Water Treatment and/or Renewable Energy Systems.

Global warming and climate change are urgent drivers towards sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set clear targets to stimulate economic growth and social advancement while decoupling progress from resource consumption and pollution. Specifically, Goals 6 and 7 focus on the availability and management of affordable clean water and energy, respectively. Water treatment and renewable energy generation provide alternatives to these vital resources. Desalination, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater reuse reduce the reliance on natural water resources. On the other hand, renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind and biomass systems could reduce the environmental impacts of energy requirements and provide remote areas with an energy supply. However, to establish whether such water and energy systems are environmentally and financially viable, life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle cost analyses (LCCA) are required to evaluate the impacts covering all phases from raw material use to end-of-life. This research study, that will be conducted as part of an MSc in Engineering degree course at the University of Malta, seeks to assess the lifecycle impacts of renewable energy and/or water treatment systems.

Further details about the course are available here. 

Students intending to apply are to enclose a research proposal focused on the research theme outlined in the above section (Areas of study and research covered by the scholarship).

Guidelines on the preparation of a research proposal are available here. 

Master of Science in Sustainable Energy (by research)

The Scholarship offers an opportunity for a Tunisian national to specialise in Sustainable Energy at a post-graduate level. The student may perform research in several areas of sustainable energy. Areas with active research within the Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE) of the University of Malta include:

Solar systems and solar materials. ISE is equipped with a state-of-the-art lab for testing Silicon and other Solar materials. Ongoing research is testing the relationship between the quality of the silicon material and the solar cell yield. Other active areas of research in solar systems include both terrestrial and offshore solar systems.

Energy efficiency in buildings. Active research includes modelling, study and improvement of domestic and commercial buildings, and improvements in the way energy efficiency is assessed.

Wind energy and energy storage, including hydrogen. The Institute is in possession of a LiDAR which is currently being used the measure the wind resource in key locations. Another active area of research is pumped energy storage and integrating hydrogen with energy storage.

Other areas of research the Institute can support are shallow geothermal energy and energy policy. Other areas can also be discussed. Please contact the Institute for Sustainable Energy to discuss research proposals.

Further details about the course are available here. 

Guidelines on the preparation of a research proposal are available here. 

Benefits

The Scholarships will cover:

• Payment of the University of Malta Tuition Fee
• A subsistence allowance amounting to EUR 1200 per month to be used towards accommodation, transport, living and academic expenses and any other costs that may arise during the student’s residence in Malta.  
• One return journey (Tunisia – Malta - Tunisia), the cost of which is capped at EUR 500.  Any additional trips or travel costs higher than this amount will have to be covered by the student.

Important dates

The selected students are expected to join the programme at the start of the 2^nd Semester of the Academic year 2023/2024. The official start date is Monday 12 February 2024.

An orientation programme for international students is organized a few days before the start of the semester. Details about the date of the orientation programme will be communicated to the students in the letter of acceptance.

The duration of the scholarship for the Master of Science in Engineering (Mechanical) is 3 semesters of full-time study commencing on the 12^th February 2024 and ending in May 2025 (18 months).

The duration of the scholarship for the Master of Science in Sustainable Energy is 3 semesters of full-time study commencing on the 12^th February 2024 and ending in May 2025 (15 months).

Application requirements 

Only applicants who have obtained a full acceptance for the indicated courses will be considered for the scholarship award. Applicants who have a conditional acceptance cannot be considered.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Engineering (Mechanical) are available here. 

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Sustainable Energy are available here.  
 

English Language Proficiency

Applicants are required to present an internationally recognised English Language Proficiency Certificate at the required level.  Further information about English Language Requirements for the 2023/24 academic year entry is available here. 

Instructions to applicants

 

The deadline to apply is 16 October 2023.

Documents, applications and requests that are submitted after the deadline cannot be considered.

Applicants are to follow a two-step procedure.

Online application:

Applicants are to first submit an online application and provide copies of their academic qualifications, and all other requested documentation to the University of Malta.

Only applicants who have completed the online registration, including payment, will be considered.

(The online application fee is non-refundable)

The online application is available here. 

 

Scholarship application:

Apart from the online application, interested candidates are to send a separate email addressed to the attention of the Director, International Office by email. 

The email should include:

• A letter of motivation,
• Three letters of reference – on letterhead and signed.
• Curriculum Vitae (kindly include mobile number)
• Scanned copy of their Tunisian passport (details page)

The subject line should read “Scholarship Tunisia” and it is highly recommended that students submit all documents together in one email and indicate their selected course.

Documents and requests that are submitted after the deadline cannot be considered.