South African students prepare for their studies in Ireland

Kedar Asmal Fellows attended an induction day ahead of their departure for Ireland at the residence of Ireland's Ambassador to South Africa.

The Embassy of Ireland, Pretoria, welcomed ten Kader Asmal Fellows to the Ambassador’s residence for an induction day to prepare them for their studies in Ireland.

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is one way that Irish Aid is aiming to address the skills shortage in South Africa. Targeting members of previously disadvantaged communities, the Kader Asmal Fellowship programme provides deserving candidates an opportunity to undertake one year post-graduate studies in Ireland.

Professor Asmal was also the founder of the Irish Anti Apartheid Movement and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, as well as former Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

A total of ten Fellowships have been awarded for the 2014-15 academic year. Eight of these have been awarded in the sectors of Business Management; Agriculture, Food Science & nutrition; and Public Administration. Two specific fellowships were also awarded, including a fellowship in the field of international relations/development and economics nominated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and a fellowship in Human Rights Law at Trinity College Dublin nominated by the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC).

The fellowship is named in honour of the late Professor Kader Asmal, Former Minister for Water Affairs in the first democratically elected South African Government and former Minister of Higher Education. Professor Asmal was also the founder of the Irish Anti Apartheid Movement and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, as well as former Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

The induction day was co-hosted by Mrs Louise Asmal and was attended by representatives of the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Higher Education and Training, CASAC and Business Ireland Southern Africa