SAARC CHAIR, FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
Recognizing that the SAARC Chair, Fellowship and Scholarship scheme did not work well since its inception in 1987, the Workshop on operation and related issues of the Scheme held at Kathmandu on 22-23 October 2002 revised modalities on conceptual framework, organisational management and coordination and financing of the Scheme.

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The recommendations of the Workshop were reviewed by the Second Meeting of Technical Committee on Human Resources Development held in Colombo on 7-8 November 2002. Following is the revised Scheme as recommended by the TC HRD:

Applications and selection procedure:
Chairs and Fellowships
SAARC chairs are prestigious positions. These are expected to provide opportunities of interaction with academicians, intellectuals, think-tank and also with electronic and print media thereby leading to better understanding among the member states. It is, therefore, imperative that the selection procedure of scholars should be transparent. Whenever a chair is available vacant, the UGC/Ministry will invite nominations from the universities and other research organizations. The circular will highlight terms and conditions of appointment and also outline the domains of duties and responsibilities of the incumbent. The Vice Chancellors of universities will ensure that the position is widely circulated. After receipt of nominations, the UGC/Ministry will short-list the applications and carry out discussions with eligible candidates during which each candidate will illustrate his/her action plan. The name(s) of the selected person(s) will be conveyed to the SAARC Secretariat for onward transmission to the recipient UGC/Ministry.

SAARC Scholarships:
a. All focal points will forward seats offered in each discipline to the SAARC secretariat by 31 July each year.
b. SAARC secretariat will publish the number of seats available in each discipline in the form of a brochure/booklet and circulate among the member countries by 15 August each year.
c. The identified focal points in the member countries will advertise the seats offered by other countries in the national newspapers and invite applications from interested citizens by 30 September each year.
d. The respective countries will compile the applications category-wise and subject-wise. Short listing will be completed by end of 31 October.
e. Member countries will ensure that incomplete applications and/or applications received after the deadline may not be entertained.
f. Interview calls to the eligible candidates will be issued by 15 November.
g. Interviews may be conducted by 16 December.
h. Member countries will submit two nominations i.e. one principal and one alternate candidate for each seat available to the SAARC secretariat by 31 December.
i. SAARC secretariat will communicate final results to the Ministry and the UGC by 10 February. Intimations to successful candidates and the ministries concerned will be sent by end of February each year.

Fellowships
Fellowships amount should be at par with the salary and allowances of Reader/Associate Professor in the scholar’s own university or host university, whichever is higher. The candidate should also be waived with admission fee, tuition fee, visa fee. S/he should be provided with book allowances, establishment allowances and medical care.

Scholarships
The scholarship/stipend should be sufficient enough to cover the local expenses comfortably. The candidate should also be given waiver of admission fee, tuition fee, visa fee. He should be provided with book allowances, establishment allowances and medical care.

Contact Us:
SAARC Secretariat,
Tridevi Marg,
P.O. Box 4222,Kathmandu,Nepal.