Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not find answers to your questions, please contact the Global South Workshop co-ordinator by email at southworkshop@graduateinstitute.ch or by phone at +41 22 908 43 84.

Logistics

• Does the University of Ghana offer any on-campus housing?
• Is health insurance compulsory?
• Do I need a visa to attend the Workshop?
  
• Can I bring my own laptop?
• How much money can I expect to spend during my stay in Ghana?
• How do I get a plane ticket?
• What is the weather like in Accra?

Application

• What do I need to support my application?
• Do I need to provide proof of proficiency in English?
  
• Do I need to include a letter of reference with my application?
• Are there prerequisites to attend the Workshop?
• When do I have to apply?
• How is my application assessed?

Programme

• Can I attend only a few days of the Workshop?
• What will my timetable look like?
• Paper presentations
• Will I have full access to the library and IT facilities?

Have your questions been answered? For more information

• Please contact us using the contact form

All participants will be provided accommodation close to the University of Ghana. A small contribution will be given towards daily living expenses.

Health insurance is not compulsory for a short stay in Ghana. However, we strongly advise Workshop participants to sign up to a private "short term Study Abroad" insurance in their home country.

Depending your your nationality you may need a visa to enter Ghana. Please ensuire to check and proceed according to tourist visa requirements on the following website: http://www.ghanaimmigration.org/visa_info.htm

Please ensure that you have a valid passport. Visa fees for successful candidates will be reimbursed by the Institute upon presentation of original receipts.

No. Access to a computer lab will be provided.

Participants will be provided accommodation (from Saturday 11 August (evening) to Saturday 18 August (morning)) and receive a contribution towards their living expenses. The Institute will also cover return fares for participants enrolled in Southern universities. Lunches will be provided from Monday 13 August to Friday 17 August. Other expenses and an extended stay will be at your own expense.

The Institute will cover the cost of an economy return fare for participants from universities in the South. Candidates are requested to make their own travel arrangements before 25 May. Prior to confirming the booking, approval must be sought from the Workshop officer. The plane ticket will be reimbursed upon presentation of original receipts during your stay in Accra. All reimbursements will be in Swiss Francs, using the current rate of exchange. You can check currency exchange rates on this website www.xe.com.

Ghana enjoys a year round tropical climate, but it does have rainy seasons. The coastal region (including Accra) has two rainy seasons, one beginning in March, and peaking in May or June, the other in September/October.

Updated weather information for Accra, including short-term weather forecasts, can be located online through the Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/5.555717,-0.196306)

Additional climate information for the area is also available online at http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/climate.php or at http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g293797-s208/Accra:Ghana:Weather.And.When.To.Go.html

Application

The application file is quite simple. Fill in the application form including your CV, a statement of motivation, a summary of your Ph.D research (2,000 words maximum) along with a draft chapters' outline and 2 contact details of referees. You can email this to us or send it by regular mail. Only selected candidates will be contacted (before 25 May). Our email: southworkshop@graduateinstitute.ch

Since the Workshop is held in English, applicants are expected to be proficient in the use of English, i.e., to understand fully courses taught in English and to be able to write papers. Nevertheless, no certificate is required.

No. You only need to nominate two referees in your application form. At least one must be from your PhD supervisor and indicate the current stage of your Ph.D. research and likely time to completion. It is not necessary to include a written reference letter, but please note that your referees could be contacted by our selection committee.and to send us their recommandation letters.

Candidates should typically be nearing completion of their Ph.D at a university in the South and work in a discipline related to International and Development Studies.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2012, by midnight Zurich time zone.

Selection will be based on the quality of research. Quality being equal, selection may be guided by an interest in promoting thematic coherence at the workshop and regional diversity. The number of participants is limited to 30.

No. Participants are required to attend the whole Workshop and contribute to all 5 days.

Sessions will be held from Monday to Friday. Morning sessions will be introduced by a Guest speaker and followed by paper presentations. Lunch will be provided to participants. Afternoons will involve a discussion of papers and free time.

All participants will be expected to present a research paper. This will be due at the latest one month before the start of the Workshop. Papers and comments on papers will be available online on a password-protected platform. Each participant will is expected to present their paper and to address the comments of the discussant in a 15 minute session. The discussant will have 20 minutes to react to the presentation and accompanying comments. The papers will be followed by a discussion.

All participants are encouraged to make full use of the University of Ghana's facilities. Participants will be given access to the library upon registration. Participants will also be given the use of IT facilities (PC and printing).