Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education / Vesalius Scholarship 2023

 

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER – SPES BONA INITIATIVE FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

The Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education was founded by doctors in South Africa and Belgium, with the aim of improving the terrible living and training conditions of medical students in low and middle income countries. The organisation was formed in 2020, by 2 non profit structures in South Africa and Belgium.

The Vesalius Scholarship was first awarded to 7 medical students in January 2021.
 

ABOUT THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education is inviting students to apply for the Vesalius Scholarship, for the 2023 academic year.

7 scholarships will be awarded, for Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SUN), the University of Pretoria (UP), or the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

• View our other Medical Bursaries and Scholarships here.
• View our other Bursaries closing in February 2023 here.

 

MORE ABOUT THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED & OTHER BENEFITS

The scholarship provides cover for the following expenses (no other expenses are covered apart from those listed below):

• accommodation in student residence (up to R5 000 per month)
• monthly stipend for food and other basic expenses such as toiletries, stationery or textbooks (maximum value of R7 000 per month, as of March 2023)

Scholars will also receive mentorship and moral support, by way of a quarterly interview with the Scholarship Committee, partly made up of young South African medical doctors.
 

MORE ABOUT THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – SELECTION & OBLIGATIONS

The selection committee is made up of an international jury, who will assess all applications and make a final decision on the awarding of scholarships.

Scholarship recipients will be expected to:

• Submit regular reports to Spes Bona, as well as a certified copy of your mid-year results and final academic results, and a description of your experience
• Be willing to support future students via Spes Bona programs, after graduation

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 Vesalius Scholarship.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP

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 may be of any age or nationality
• You must be studying towards an MBChB qualification
• You must be in your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th year of study
• You must be studying at one of these approved universities: University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University (SUN), University of Pretoria (UP), or University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• You must have demonstrated commitment to altruism, including involvement in any of the following: charity work, community projects or academic mentorship
• Student from historically disadvantaged groups (including refugees) are encouraged to apply
• Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP

Download and complete the Vesalius Scholarship Application Form 2023 (.pdf)

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Vesalius Scholarship.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document
• Colour photo (passport sized)
• Curriculum Vitae, with full academic record (including Matric results and tertiary results)
• Applicants proof of income (latest payslips or bank statements if employed, affidavit if unemployed)
• Applicants bank account details (account number, branch, date of opening account)
• Parents or guardians contact details (telephone number and address)
• Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips or bank statements if employed, affidavit if unemployed)
• Motivational letter (maximum 1 page) or motivational video (maximum 2 minutes, recommended) to support your application
• Declaration of income and expenses (to be completed on the application form)

 

Applications must be submitted via email to: spesbonainitiative@gmail.com
(Insert the words “Vesalius Scholarship Application 2023” in the email subject line).
 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE VESALIUS SCHOLARSHIP

20 February 2023.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education directly:
Email: spesbonainitiative@gmail.com / admin@spesbona.info
 

Please do NOT contact the Spes Bona Initiative for Medical Education 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 January 2023.

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.