*** SUMMER SCHOOL: ASTROMETRY AND IMAGING WITH THE VERY LARGE TELESCOPE
INTERFEROMETER

Keszthely, Hungary, 2nd – 13th June 2008 * http://www.vlti.org

This school is aimed at giving to the students a good technical
background on interferometry and especially how to do imaging and
narrow-angle astrometry with it. Science that can be done with such
techniques will be highlighted. The first part of the school will
provide the basis of interferometry theory and practice. The second part
of the school will be devoted to phase-referenced imaging techniques and
to astrometry, to their scientific objectives, technical and
astrophysical limitations. These subjects will be strongly supported by
practical sessions

All PhD students (independently of nationality) and most young
postdocs will be eligible for full board and travel refund.

*** DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 20th APRIL 2008

*** REGISTER AT: http://www.vlti.org/modules/userprofile.php?event=4

The IAYC is different from most astronomical camps for two reasons: the international character and the fact that you carry out your own small research project. You will not just accept facts, but you will discover them yourself, or together with people with whom you will work together. The IAYC is therefore not like staying in a hotel and following a summer school or an astronomy course.

Every participant, with his or her own cultural background, forms an important piece in the complex puzzle of IAYC camp life. As a participant, the success of the camp depends on your contribution.

The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) 2008 will take place in Sayda, located in the East South-Eastern part of Germany. The camp house is located about 3 km outside the small city of Sayda in the Saxonian part of the Ore Mountains. It lies approximately 580 m above sea level. The climate is of a semi-continental type. The average temperature for July is 10-15°C. The yearly precipitation sum reaches 750-1500 mm. The bigger german cities close to the region are Dresden (50 km), Leipzig (100 km), Chemnitz (40 km) and Freiberg (25 km). The Czech border is really close, and lies only 10 km from the camp site. The closer cities on the Czech side of the border are Chomutov (30 km), Most (30 km), Teplice (30 km) and Litvinov (20 km).

The camp house is a German youth hostel and offers plenty of space. There are bedrooms with up to six beds, a dining room for the whole group, a party room and rooms for the working groups. There is a building and a field that can be used for the Non-Astronomical Program (NAP). Sports facilities like a basketball court are available. A small fountain will be waiting for us filled with water. The observation field is a short walk away from the camp house. No light pollution should disturb our observations.

Interested and eligible candidates may download the Application Form, General Instructions to applicants and Instructions to Candidates for filling the Application Form. The last date for receiving application forms duly completed in all respects in 6 (six) copies along with all supporting documents is 31st January, 2008. All candidates will be required to appear in a test in the English language which will be held on 9th February, 2008.

Candidates applying from Sumatera may send their applications to:

Mr. M.S. Mandhaiya
Consul General
CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA – MEDAN
19, Jl. Uskup Agung A. Sugiopranoto
Medan 20152, Sumatera Utara
Ph. 061-4531308, 4556452

Candidates applying from Bali may send their applications to:

Mr. Awanish Tiwari
Deputy Director
INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE BALI
Jl. Raya Puputan No. 42-44
Renon – Denpasar – Bali
Ph. 0361-241978

All other candidates from other parts of Indonesia may send their applications to:

Ms. Anju Ranjan
Second Secretary (Press, Info, Education)
Embassy of India
Jl. H R Rasuna Said Kav S-1
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan -12950
Ph. 021-5204150/ 52/57

For further information of different scholarships please visit:

Embassy of India Jakarta :

This benefaction creates in perpetuity an international scholarship programme to enable outstanding graduate students from outside the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. The Trustees are required to award scholarships on the basis of a person’s intellectual ability, leadership capacity and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society throughout the world by providing service to their communities and applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others.

About the scholarships
The Trust expects there to be of the order of 230 Gates Cambridge Scholars studying at the University at any one time. Although there may be variation in the actual number of awards made each year, the Trust seeks to elect approximately 100 new scholars annually.

Mr Rongjun Chen, China, PhDPg Chemical Engineering, 2003

In selecting Gates Cambridge Scholars, the Trust looks for students of exceptional academic achievement and scholarly promise for whom advanced study at Cambridge would be particularly appropriate. The Trust expects a good match to be made between the applicant’s qualifications and aspirations and what Cambridge has to offer. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems.

Over time, Gates Cambridge Scholars will form an integral and dynamic part of the University’s influential international alumni network, bringing vision and new ideas to improving the lives of citizens throughout the world. Cambridge alumni take the lead in applying knowledge and skill to major problems in every walk of life: Gates Cambridge Scholars are thus expected to use their education for the benefit of others and to improve the common weal.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded only to students who gain admission to the University through the University’s regular procedures. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship will cover:

* University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate1 rate
* a maintenance allowance for a single student (£8,800 for 12 months for 2006-07)
* a further discretionary allowance (£2,200 per year for 2006-07)
* one economy one-way airfare from the scholar’s normal country of residence to the UK at the beginning of the course of study or research; and one economy one-way airfare from the UK to the scholar’s normal country of residence at the end of the course of study or research.

Candidates for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship:

* may come from any country of the world except the United Kingdom.
* may apply to study any subject currently available at the University.
* must have a first class or high second class honours degree, or its equivalent, from a recognised university. For universities which work according to the North American pattern, candidates will be expected to have excellent transcripts with high GPA scores showing evidence of sustained achievement in study, together with the type of academic references which speak of the candidate’s leadership potential, social commitment, intellectual ability and why further study at Cambridge is particularly appropriate.
* must apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses study:
o Research leading to the PhD degree
o One-year post-graduate courses (e.g. MPhil, LLM, Diploma etc.)
o Second Bachelor degree as an Affiliated Student
o MBBChir Clinical Studies

See How to Apply for further information.
* must be admitted to Cambridge through the University’s normal academic procedures. The Trust cannot admit students.
* must be well prepared for the Cambridge course for which they are applying and must meet the academic criteria for admission specified by the University. Some courses may have particular requirements for admission, and details of these can be found in the relevant sections of the Graduate Studies Prospectus for graduate applicants, or the undergraduate prospectus for affiliated applicants.

See the Graduate Studies Prospectus

See the Undergraduate Prospectus
* who are already studying at Cambridge are only eligible to apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if they are applying for a new course of study (e.g. a one year ‘MPhil only’ student may apply for funding to continue on to the PhD). Candidates already studying at Cambridge who are not applying for a new course of study are not eligible to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Such candidates may, however, be eligible for modest awards from the other Cambridge Trusts.
* who are not native speakers of English are required by the University to provide proof of their proficiency in the English language to meet the minimum standard required for admission to Cambridge. For further information see:

English language requirements for graduate applicants

English language requirements for affiliated applicants
* from countries of the European Union who intend to pursue graduate study or research must, where eligible, apply for public fees awards offered by the Research Councils by the relevant deadlines.

Further information about public fees awards
* should note that, with the exception of an ORS award or a public fees award for an EU student, a Gates Cambridge Scholarship cannot be held in conjunction with other awards or scholarships without the express permission of the Trust.
* should note that Gates Cambridge Scholars are subject to the conditions set out by the Trust, and also by the Board of Graduate Studies (for graduate students) or College (for affiliated students), to residence in Cambridge, and to satisfactory academic progress.
* who are not successful in winning a Gates Cambridge Scholarship will automatically be considered for awards for which they are eligible from one or other of the Cambridge Trusts.

The Gates Cambridge Trust cannot admit students to the University or to any of its Colleges. Applicants for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship must apply to the University of Cambridge in the normal way.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are competed for internationally. There is some variation in procedure between countries, and the competition may run along different timetables to meet the academic schedules of different parts of the world.

The Gates Cambridge Trust takes advice from the academic committees in Cambridge responsible for determining admission to the University about the respective merits of the applicants. On the basis of that advice, applicants shortlisted for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship will be invited to an interview.

Candidates who are not successful in winning a Gates Cambridge Scholarship will automatically be considered for awards offered by the other Cambridge Trusts.

How to Apply – updated for October 2008 entry

Please click on the link below that applies to the course of study or research for which you intend to apply for funding (this may take you to an external site):

* Graduate Study (e.g. PhD, MPhil, Diploma, LLM etc.)
* MBBChir Clinical Studies Degree
* MBA (Masters in Business Administration)
* Affiliated study (i.e. a second undergraduate degree)

More information at:

Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program introduces students to research under the guidance of seasoned research mentors at Caltech and JPL. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity. Click here for a full description with eligibility requirements.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process:

* Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project.
* Applicants write research proposals for their projects
* A faculty committee reviews the proposals and recommends awards
* Students carry out the work over a 10-week period in the summer, mid-June to late August
* At the conclusion of the program, they submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at SURF Seminar Day, a symposium modeled on a professional technical meeting
* Fellows are considered student employees for the summer period.
Program Description and Requirements

Caltech Students/Non-Caltech Students

Caltech Students

Requirements
Upon receiving a SURF award, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements:

* To devote full effort to conducting the SURF project (Fellows are strongly discouraged from taking courses or holding a job).
* To submit progress reports signed by their mentors
* To submit an abstract of their project
* To submit a written technical report approved by the mentor
* To give an oral presentation on one of the scheduled seminar day symposia

Compensation
SURF Fellows are considered Caltech student employees and will receive $600/week. Wages will be subject to state and federal taxation. International students may qualify for federal tax treaty exemption. For further information on payroll tax issues, please contact sfp@caltech.edu and we will forward your question to the SURF payroll coordinator.

Payments will be distributed in equal installments on the first business day in July and August.

Funding
SURF payments are funded from a variety of sources including individual, corporate, and foundation donors; income from an endowment; JPL; and faculty grants. Mentors pay all research-related costs and provide space. Caltech and off-campus mentors generally pay half the amount. JPL mentors pay the full amount plus an administrative fee.

Proposals are reviewed on their merit, not on the mentor’s ability to contribute funds.

Named SURFs
Each year a number of students are selected to represent SURF to special donors. These students are carefully chosen by matching their research interests, fields, and activities to those of the donors. Students will be notified in early July if they have been designated named SURFers. Named SURFers may be invited to meet their benefactors and will be required to write a “thank you” note.

SURF Activities
To enrich the research experience, SURF offers:

* Weekly seminars by Caltech faculty and JPL technical staff. Lunch is provided.
* A participatory discussion series on developing a research career, graduate school admissions, and other topics of interest to future researchers.
* Social and cultural activities coordinated by the SURF Student Advisory Council (SURFSAC).
* Weekly SURFSAC Suppers give small groups of students the chance to get together with two to four faculty members for informal conversation at local restaurants.
* Special field trips.

Non-Caltech Students

Requirements
Upon receiving a SURF award, students sign an agreement to fulfill the following requirements:

* To devote full effort to conducting the SURF project (Fellows are strongly discouraged from taking courses or holding a job).
* To submit progress reports signed by their mentors
* To submit an abstract of their project
* To submit a written technical report approved by the mentor
* To give an oral presentation on one of the scheduled seminar day symposia

Compensation
SURF Fellows are considered Caltech student employees and will receive $600/week. Wages will be subject to state and federal taxation. International students may qualify for federal tax treaty exemption. For further information on payroll tax issues, please contact sfp@caltech.edu and we will forward your question to the SURF payroll coordinator.

Payments will be distributed in equal installments on the first business day in July and August.

SURF has extremely limited funding for non-Caltech students. In most cases, mentors will have to pay the full amount.

Housing

Students may live in Caltech housing during the ten weeks of SURF. Non-Caltech students cannot move into Caltech housing before the first day of SURF. Rates will not be finalized until late spring, and there is no board contract. For more information on Caltech housing, click here.

SURF Activities
To enrich the research experience, SURF offers:

* Weekly seminars by Caltech faculty and JPL technical staff. Lunch is provided.
* A participatory discussion series on developing a research career, graduate school admissions, and other topics of interest to future researchers.
* Social and cultural activities coordinated by the SURF Student Advisory Council (SURFSAC).
* Weekly SURFSAC Suppers give small groups of students the chance to get together with two to four faculty members for informal conversation at local restaurants.
* Special field trips.
Eligibility Statement

Eligibility Requirements for Caltech Students
To be eligible for SURF you must:

* Be a continuing undergraduate student
* Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
* Complete the third term at Caltech, or at another school under a program approved by a Dean
* Be eligible for fall term registration before beginning your SURF project and no later than July 1.
* Not be under any disciplinary sanction

Eligibility Requirements for Non-Caltech Students
To be eligible for SURF, you must:

* Be a continuing undergraduate student
* Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5/4.0
* Complete the second semester or third quarter at your college or university
* Not be under any disciplinary sanction
Application Information for International Students

Special Requirements for International Students

International students are eligible to participate in SURF on the Caltech campus, however, students applying for SURFs at JPL must be United States citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

Once SURF awards are made, international students not currently attending a university in the U.S. will be given instructions on how to apply for a visa abroad and also the forms needed for this application. Students coming from abroad must secure an F-1 visa to participate in the SURF program.

International students attending a college or university in the U.S. who are awarded a SURF must secure special employment authorization before they can participate in SURF. Students who are currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa will be required to apply for either Curricular or Optional Practical Training. Students currently in the U.S. on a J-1 visa must apply for Academic Training.

International students currently in the U.S. who are pursuing a SURF must discuss securing employment authorization with an international student advisor at their home institution as soon as they start the SURF application process. In some cases, authorization may take in excess of 3 months to secure!

Special Note: Caltech international students are not required to secure this employment authorization.

Practical Training for F-1 Students in the U.S.

Optional Practical Training: This type of practical training requires students to submit an application for work authorization directly to the Immigration Service. Prior to submitting this application, students must secure a written endorsement from an international student advisor at their schools. Therefore, students should stop by their international student programs offices to discuss this endorsement and application.

Special Note: The Immigration Service may take in excess of 3 months to approve an application for Optional Practical Training. Once this application is approved, the Immigration Service will send the student an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students are NOT allowed to begin their SURFs until they have received this EAD from the Immigration Service.

Curricular Practical Training: This type of practical training can be granted through a student’s current academic institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Curricular Practical Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of Practical Training, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.

Academic Training for J-1 Students in the U.S.

Academic Training is granted through a student’s home institution and does not require an application to be submitted to the Immigration Service. Each college or university in the U.S. has established specific guidelines and procedures for authorizing Academic Training. To find out the specific qualifications for this type of employment authorization, students should stop by and talk with an international student advisor at their current academic institutions.
If you have been awarded a SURF and, after consulting with your current academic institution, still have questions about securing work authorization, you may contact an advisor in the Office of International Student Programs (ISP) at Caltech for additional guidance and information. ISP can be reached by phone at (626) 395-6330 or by email at isp@caltech.edu.

More information at:

Applications are continuously screened throughout the year.
Please submit
1) a curriculum vitae,
2) research proposal (<1,000 words),
3) 2 letters of recommendation,
by email to
yoshi@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp,
sakurai@imr.tohoku.ac.jp, and
wpi-office@bureau.tohoku.ac.jp.
All files must be submitted electronically in pdf or Word format.

1) PhD scholarships – with financial support of S$3,000 per month for up to 4 years
2) Post Doctoral funding – with financial support of S$5,000 per month for up to 2 years

Details of the SMF Scholarship applications can be found at http://www.smf- scholar.org/

b. Accoding to SMF, the 2008 applcations will close on 31 Jan 2008. However, depending on the response, this date may be extended to 28 Feb 2008. I will need to contact RSO/OHR to check on their internal deadline to consolidate all Schools submission.
c. Please encourage your current and prospective PhD and Post Doctoral (PhD holders) candidates to apply quickly.

d. Candidates are required to submit an online application at http://www.smf- scholar.org/ Print out the completed form (with signature) and enclose with the following supporting documents in ENGLISH and duly certified as true copies to be enclosed (please arrange the document accordingly) :

1. Curriculum Vitae.
2. TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/ GATE Scores ( please check directly with the University/Research Institute on this requirement )
3. Doctoral’s degree certificate and transcripts, if applicable.
4. Master’s degree certificate and transcripts, if applicable.
5. Bachelor’s degree certificate & transcripts, if applicable.
6. Abstract of Proposed Research (250 words).
7. Proposed Plan of Research.
8. Abstract of Previous Research Accomplishments (if applicable)
9. Letter of Support by Hosting Scientific Advisor.
10. A copy of Hosting Scientific Advisor Curriculum Vitae (if applicable)
11. Two Reference Letters
12. Progress Report (if applicable)
Note: Candidates are also encouraged to discuss with their supervisors about the submission of application.

e. We will require the candidates to submit their applications to the School and we will append a copy to the Divisions for record in due course. Tentatively, we hope to receive all completed applications by 7 January 2008 and will revise the deadline after we hear from RSO /OHR:

Associate Chair (Graduate and Research)
School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Nanyang Technological University
1 Nanyang Walk, Block 5, Level 3
Singapore 637616
(attention: Ms Loo Leong Gaik)