SABS African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Essay Competition 2025
ABOUT THE COMPETITION PROVIDER – SABS / ARSO
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) plays a vital role in the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), an intergovernmental body established in 1977 by the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). ARSO’s core mission is to harmonize standards and conformity assessment procedures across the continent, reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering both intra-African and global commerce. Beyond trade facilitation, ARSO is dedicated to advancing Africa’s industrialization, ensuring consumer safety, and improving the overall well-being of African communities. With a strong commitment to poverty eradication, youth education, and cultural development, ARSO aligns its vision with broader efforts to create a more prosperous and self-sufficient Africa.
ABOUT THE SABS ESSAY COMPETITION
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is inviting students to apply for the ARSO Essay Competition 2025.
To enter, students must write an essay about the following topic: Role of Education about Standardisation (EaS) in shaping Education and African Students for the sustainable Development opportunities and challenges in the 21st Century.
Students will have the chance to walk away with 5 prizes in the national competition – 3 bursary awards and 2 cash awards, to the following values:
- 1st prize: a bursary to the value of R150 000
- 2nd prize: a bursary to the value of R130 000
- 3rd prize: a bursary to the value of R120 000
- 4th prize: a cash prize to the value of R15 000
- 5th prize: a cash prize to the value of R15 000
The SABS will assess and award the top 5 national winners. The top 5 winning essays will be forwarded to ARSD as entries in the continental competition.
www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the SABS ARSO Essay Competition.
** RELATED BURSARIES **
- View our other General Bursaries and Scholarships here.
- View our other Bursaries OPEN for application here.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SABS ESSAY COMPETITION
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be currently registered to study at a tertiary institution recognized by the National Department of Education and Council of Higher Education in South Africa
- You must be 35 years old or younger
Note: if you are a foreign student at a South African tertiary institution, you may apply by submitting your essay to your country of origin.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SABS ESSAY COMPETITION
Students who meet the above criteria, may apply via email to: ESSAYCOMPETITION@sabs.co.za
(Insert the words “SABS ARSO Essay Competition 2025” in the email subject line).
Submit the following supporting documentation along with your email application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- Your essay, which must abide by the following competition rules:
- Essays must be written in English.
- Essays must be between 1000 and 1200 words.
- Essays must be in size 12, Century Gothic font and double spaced.
- Essays must be original work and will be examined for plagiarism.
- Essays must be well-written and must demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- Essays must demonstrate understanding of the theme for assessment.
- Essays must be properly formatted (structured and justified) and properly referenced.
- Applicants may only submit one essay.
Note: there is no application form to be completed for this bursary application – students need only submit the list of documents above to apply.
CLOSING DATE FOR THE SABS ESSAY COMPETITION
31 March 2025.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE COMPETITION PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) directly:
Email: ESSAYCOMPETITION@sabs.co.za
Please do NOT contact SABS if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/
This bursary listing was last updated in February 2025.
SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.