The scholarships are provided by the Chinese Government and Zhejiang University jointly for prospective international students to study for Ph.D. Degrees at Zhejiang University.

1. 60 scholarship students will be accepted for the fall semester of 2008 and spring semester of 2009;
2. Details: Awardees will be exempt from tuition and fees for registration, laboratory experiments, internship, basic learning materials, and intramural accommodation;
   • Living allowance: CNY 1,400 per month for doctoral students;
   • Fee for outpatient medical services and Comprehensive Medical Insurance and Benefit Plan for International Students in China: CNY 600 per person per annum;
   • A one-off settlement subsidy for new students after registration: CNY 600 per person.
3. Duration:
4. The duration of the scholarship for all programs with English as the media of instruction is the same as the normal length of the specific programs.

II. An Overview of Zhejiang University:

Zhejiang University is located in the coastal city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, which lies 180 km away from Shanghai, a metropolitan city in China. As one of the China’s Seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou is a world-famous tourist resort praised as “a paradise on earth”, boasting very favorable natural conditions, with a mild climate, convenient transportation systems, picturesque scenery and rich cultural heritage.

The university is one of the few top-ranking research institutions of higher learning in China. It has a full coverage of disciplines in 11 major branches of Learning, Namely Philosophy, Literature, History, Education, Sciences, Economics, Law, Management, Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine. With a history of more than 80 years of graduate education, the university now offers 331 academic and professional Master’s Degree programs and 283 Doctoral programs. Under its administration there are 14 Nation Key Laboratories, 2 National Engineering Research Centers and 3 National Engineering Technology Centers and 43 post-doctor stations. At present, the university has a full-time student body of over 39,000, with 22,900 undergraduates, over 15,700 Master’s Degree students and over 6,600 Ph.D. candidates, and the university also has about 1,700 international students coming from over 100 countries.

A truly comprehensive institute with developing into a world-class institution as its goal, Zhejiang University aims to provide an outstanding education that will enable its students to build a future of professional, intellectual and personal success, capable of leadership in different areas. Equally important, however, is the role the university has been playing in research. With a faculty capable of top-level and large-scale research and a high proportion of graduate students, the university has been undertaking projects, both basic and applied, to address pressing issues of today and the future.

III. Application

Eligibility
1. Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals and in good health.
2. Applicants must have a Master’s Degree.
3. Applicants must be under the age of 40.
4. Applicants should have a competitive academic record.
5. Applicants should have strong scientific research ability.
6. Applicants must NOT be beneficiaries of any other kinds of sponsorships.

Language Used in Teaching
English is used as instructional language for programs in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Economics, Business, and Medicines.

Application Materials
All applicants must fill in and provide the following materials truly and correctly.

1. The Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship (Download) in Chinese or in English.
2. Highest diploma (notarized photocopy). If applicants are university students or already employed, they should also provide documents of being university students or on-post employees. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with translations in Chinese or English.
3. Applicants for doctoral studies need to provide notarized copies of their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with translations in Chinese or English.
4. A photocopy of the passport and a recent photo (white background, 35mm × 45mm in size).
5. A study or research proposal in Chinese or in English (no less than 800 words).
6. Two letters of recommendation from full professors or associate professors (in Chinese or English).
7. Published academic papers or other academic achievements (if applicable).
8. Photocopy of Foreigner Physical Examination Form (printed by Chinese quarantine authority. Applicants are expected to keep the original copies) filled in English. The medical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. The medical examination results will be valid for 6 months. All applicants are kindly requested to take this factor into consideration as they plan to take the medical examination.

Applicants should submit the above materials to the International College of Zhejiang University before May 30, 2008 for the programs starting in fall 2008 and before Sept. 20 2008 for those starting in spring 2009. Application materials will NOT be returned regardless of the result of application.

Choices of Programs
Please check the Major Doctoral Programs. Applicants are encouraged to contact their prospective supervisors at Zhejiang University prior to application and are expected to enclose in their application package the relevant recommendation letters written by those supervisors.

Approval and Notification
Zhejiang University will review all the application materials. Decisions for admission and for granting the scholarships will be made on the basis of the applicants’ competitiveness, academic and otherwise. The name list of the scholarship awardees for programs starting from the fall semester of 2008 will be publicized before July 31, 2008 after it is reviewed by China Scholarship Council.  Admission Notices and other relevant documents will be sent to the awardees afterwards.

Contact Information
International College of Zhejiang University:
Mr. YI Honghui   Tel: +86 571 87953101   Email: zjuyhh[a-t]zju.edu.cn
Fax: +86 571 87951755
Office of Degree Student Affairs, International College
Room 229, No. 31 Dorm, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University

Postal Address:
P.O. Box W-99, International College, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China  310027

Note:
1. Awardees must go through the Annual Review of the Chinese Government Scholarship Status.
2. The duration of the “Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Zhejiang University for International Students” is not to be extended if the awardees fail to finish the studies due to personal reasons.
3. Scholarship students who have to suspend their studies because of illness should return to their home country for further treatment and rest. Expenses for the international travel to and from the university will be borne by the students themselves, and their scholarship status will be reserved for one year at most, with the monthly living allowance stopped during the suspension. Scholarships of the students who suspend their studies for reasons other than illness will not be reserved.

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The student will follow the project outlines and objectives provided by the principal investigator (PI); the results will be jointly published in international journals. The research will be supervised by the PI who is Dr Stephen Attwood, a scientist now working at the State Key Laboratory, previously having worked for 10 years at the Division of Biomedical Sciences in The Natural History Museum, London.

Background
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by certain freshwater snail species (intermediate hosts); the disease is the result of infection by species of Schistosoma (Trematoda: Digenea). Schistosomiasis infects over 200 million people world wide and can cause serious illness. People become infected when contacting water in which these snails live. In China schistosomiasis is caused by Schistosoma japonicum and is transmitted by snails belonging to the Oncomelania hupensis (Caenogastropoda: Pomatiopsidae) sub-species complex.

WHO (1999) figures reveal that in spite of 45 years of snail and disease control Schistosoma japonicum still infects over 850,000 people and 100,000 cattle in China. Clearly, schistosomiasis eradication is difficult and it is vital that we understand the processes of disease dispersal and transmission. Schistosoma japonicum causes a true zoonosis, utilizing a range of mammals as definitive host (including humans); however, there is much greater intermediate host specificity, with infection restricted to Oncomelania hupensis snails at the sub-specific or even strain level. S. japonicum (and Oncomelania hupensis) is common across the Yangtze Plain of China and causes severe public health problems.

Projects
The student will pursue research under one of the following projects; these projects are all interrelated and to some degree share samples, resources and data. The first year will involve pilot studies which will shape and define the final main projects in the second year and onwards. The exact number, scale and final design of the projects will depend on the availability of suitable students and funding.

1. To use population genetics (DNA-sequence based) to estimate population dynamic parameters for, and levels of gene flow among, S. japonicum populations from different definitive host groups at transmission foci in Sichuan Province. The aim is to determine the importance of different hosts as reservoirs of infection that may reduce the efficacy of disease control efforts at the human population level.

2. To use population genetic analysis of DNA sequence data for S. japonicum populations across China to study a. The effectiveness of disease control in areas of prolonged intervention, b. the emergence of new foci of disease transmission.

3. To use microarray based techniques to study differential gene expression in S. japonicum compatible and resistant strains of Oncomelania hupensis. Also, to perform a study as in 2 (above) for snail control assessment.

4. To use RS GIS to predict potential foci of disease transmission in remote and unsurveyed areas of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. This would involve collaboration with researchers in Shanghai and Sussex University in the UK.

Selection criteria
Students chosen will:

- Receive research training in phylogenetic and population genetic analysis of DNA sequcence data, which can be applied to any organism, pathogen or disease. The incumbent of project 4 will also receive training in RS GIS analysis.

-Receive high quality training in research-related skills (presentation, writing, running a research project, etc.)

-Be introduced to a network of researchers across China and Europe involved in the fields of parasitology, bioinformatics, and GIS / modelling.

-There is a good chance of some research experience overseas (UK), especially if the student proves to be a good worker.

-Research teaching methods and laboratory practice may follow the European model; this may be useful experience for any student hoping for a post-doctoral position in Europe

The applicants should satisfy the following criteria

-Show enthusiasm, a sincere attitude to research, have adequate pre-training, interest in participating in a multidisciplinary research team and eagerness for bridging between research disciplines, and be willing and able to work in the field occasionally (long walks in rural and mountain areas may be involved for some of the projects, when working with local teams e.g. local CDC officers).

-The student must satisfy the general entry requirements of Sichuan University for registration.

-The student must be a native Chinese speaker. These opportunities are intended for Chinese Nationals.

-The student must have a good level of English language comprehension (both written and spoken) ideally CET 6 or better.

-The student should have a relaxed and patient nature, the laboratory work can sometimes involve fine and delicate work. A relaxed commonsense approach is required.

-A student wishing to register for a Masters degree will only be considered if extensive or specialized relevant experience can be proven.

Address of work place:
State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China

Application procedure:
Formal applications must be made directly to the university. The project title “The transmission biology of Schistosoma japonicum in China” is listed on the University’s web site.

However, any applicant who intends to apply can also send their resumé and a statement detailing why they would like to apply, and how their skills and past experience are relevant to the application to Prof. Stephen Attwood at cdt2008ss[ at ]hotmail.co.uk.

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I. Details and Duration

1. There are three categories of the scholarship:

• Full Scholarship (free tuition, free lodging, free textbooks and free medical care plus RMB 600-1400 yuan living allowance per month)
• Free Tuition
• Partial Tuition Waiver (5%-50%)

2. Duration of the scholarship: one month to one academic year

3. The scholarship winner pays for his or her international travel expenses. If there are other contracts, do as the contracts specify.

II. Qualifications

1. Applicants must be international students or scholars who are diligently engaged in their studies and have achieved excellence.

2. Full Scholarship and Free Tuition Scholarship applicants can be students who have continued their enrollment from the previous semester or those who have just started their studies at Nanjing University the current semester.

3. Partial Tuition Waiver Scholarship applicants must be students who have completed their studies at Nanjing University for more than one semester (including one semester), have achieved excellence in their studies, and are continuing their studies at Nanjing University (currently only limited to students enrolled in Institute of International Students). Recommendations from institutions and organizations having exchange programs with Nanjing University are also accepted. Applicants for Partial Tuition Waiver Scholarship who have studied at Nanjing University before must have received Outstanding Student Award, Diligent Student Award and/or recommended by Nanjing University’s various long and short term training programs.

III. Application Procedures

1. Applicants may request “Application Form for Nanjing University Scholarship for International Students” directly from Nanjing University Institute for International Students, or from foreign universities, institutions or organizations having exchange programs with Nanjing University. They may also download the form from Nanjing University Institute for International Students web page. The form must be truthfully filled out in Chinese or English.

2. All applicants must be recommended by two teachers they have had at Nanjing University or by two teachers with Associate Professors or higher titles. Application must be accompanied by copies of past degree certificate and school transcripts. Group applicants are accepted mainly from universities, institutions and organizations having exchange programs with Nanjing University and those recommended by the long term and short term training programs at Nanjing University.

3. Application forms and accompanying materials are to be sent directly to Nanjing University Institute for Foreign Students by June 30 (for fall semester) and November 30 (for spring semester).

VI. Approval of the Scholarship

1. After receiving the application, Nanjing University Scholarship for International Students Committee will make a decision within 40 days after the deadline. The winners will be notified directly or through their affiliated institutions or organizations.

2. Incomplete applications and applications containing unverifiable information will not be processed.

3. Scholarship winners take “Approval Letter of Nanjing University Scholarship for International Students”, “Letter of Admission to Nanjing University” and the JW202 form to the Chinese Embassy in their country to apply for Student Visa (X) or Visitor Visa (F). They are expected to arrive and register at Nanjing University on days specified in the University catalog.

4. If the scholarship winner cannot come to Nanjing University for that semester or year, the scholarship will be cancelled and will not be extended.

Website: Nanjing University Scholarship

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