Sponsored Carnegie CPD Program in South Africa

Application now open for a fully Sponsored Carnegie CPD Program at  the Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa for academic librarians and LIS faculty in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. 

The Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria, was awarded a grant by the Carnegie Corporation of New York to offer eight four-week residential continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for qualified librarians from Sub-Saharan Africa, for the period 2014 – 2016. 

Central Objective of CPD Program:  

Enhancing librarians' ICT skills for research enablement in African universities: a Carnegie CPD programme  

The aims of the programme are to:

• Empower the next generation of library and information professionals within Sub-Saharan African countries with hands-on skills to apply current and emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs);
• Build capacity amongst library and information services (LIS) professionals to support and enable researchers.

 Eligibility criteria and application process 

A.  Eligibility criteria

Academic librarians and LIS faculty in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda are eligible to apply for admission to this programme. Selection of candidates for this fully funded programme is highly competitive and is based inter alia on the following criteria:

• Current qualifications: at least a first degree in LIS from a government recognised and/or accredited tertiary education institution. Applicants with postgraduate degrees will also be eligible for selection if you comply with other criteria listed;
• Age eligibility 25 – 45 years;
• Work experience 5 – 7 years;
• Exceptions, for age and work experience, will be considered on a case by case basis when accompanied by a strong motivational letter from your manager or director;
• The availability of the required technologies in your current work environment or library;
• Past academic performance;
• Proficiency in English;
• Potential to explore and embrace emerging technologies;
• Willingness and ability to share what is learned with others in the profession;
• Demonstrated commitment of participant’s home institution to supporting sharing and future development activities;
• Willingness and ability to work as a team member;
• Interest in current international library issues.

 B.    Application process

The following documents should be emailed to Joan de la Haye at Carnegie-cpd@up.ac.za: 

• A detailed CV (according to the specified template available here) which describes your work experience, current job description and responsibilities: involvement in ICTs combined with support of researchers will be a prerequisite. Also include a detailed description of ICT-related job responsibilities, knowledge of ICT technologies and programmes, and ICT-related training);
• A recommendation letter from your current employer / line manager, highlighting your current levels of technology skills;
• A commitment from your current employer that they will make time available for you to attend the four week programme as well as time to devote to your assignments after completing the programme;
• Academic documents and transcripts;
• Prospective students will be required to write an essay of approximately 1000 words explaining why they:
  • would like to participate in the programme, what they hope to learn from the programme,
  • should be selected for the programme and what they hope to contribute to the programme. 

Applicants should demonstrate the following in their essays:

• Potential to explore and embrace emerging technologies;
• Willingness and ability to share what is learned with others in the profession;
• Demonstrated commitment of participant’s home institution to supporting sharing and future development activities;
• Willingness and ability to work as a team member;
• Interest in current international library issues. 

Important Dates

Applications open: 19th of February 2016
Applications close: 18th of March 2016
Successful Candidates will be notified by the 28th of March 2016
The course will commence on the 21st of May 2016

for detail information visit 

Carnegie CPD Programme webpage 

Contact Details 

Carnegie CPD Administration:

Ms Joan de la Haye

Email:  Carnegie-cpd@up.ac.za

Telephone: +27 12 420 2887