1. The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program
Reflective Analysis of the Program Strategies & Activities
in South Africa
November 2004

2. Contents The Selection Process Support & Monitoring
Cohort Building; Leadership & LSJ’s
Placement
Alumni

3. The Selection Process Targeting – Defining the Target Group
What has Worked:
Eligibility based on academic entry level; community involvement; previous lack of access to higher education; from the identified target areas
Identified Challenges:
The growing trend towards urbanization
The changing dynamics of SA society
Linking key development needs to the identified, related human resource requirements in the country

4. The Selection Process Area 2002/3 2003/4 2004/5 Eastern Cape
KwaZulu Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
North West
Northern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
Western Cape

5. The Selection Process Targeting – Defining the Target Group
Proposed Solutions:
Consulting the major role players in the key development areas to identify the national & provincial human resource requirements for meeting the country’s development needs so that potential applicants involved in these development areas are targeted

6. The Selection Process Outreach/Recruitment – Strategies
What Has Worked:
Advertising in national & regional newspapers with readership in the current target group
The dedicated website
Distribution of Program information materials (brochures, posters)
Fellows acting as ambassadors for the Program & using their Program experience to recruit possible applicants

7. The Selection Process Outreach/Recruitment – Strategies
Identified Challenges:
High advertising costs in SA
Advertising period needed to reach members of the target group based in the most remote areas
Selective dissemination of information in rural areas due to the desire to capitalize on limited higher education opportunities
The trend towards urbanization

8. The Selection Process Outreach/Recruitment Strategies
Proposed Solutions:
Exploring the possibility of advertising in NGO publications, student newsletters etc
Beginning a month earlier to extend the outreach period
Preparing a Power Point presentation on the Program to be put onto disks & distributed to the major role players in the key development areas & all other identified contacts

9. The Selection Process Selection Criteria What Has Worked:
The criteria used has been in line with the guidelines provided for meeting the Program objectives
Determining an order for ranking the agreed criteria applied and then evaluating applications from the current target group against these so as to identify the best possible candidates

10. The Selection Process Selection Criteria Identified Challenges:
Basing the selection criteria on the link between the identified key areas of development in the country and the human resource requirements for meeting these
Focusing the evaluation of an application on the candidate’s commitment and ability to contribute to the main development needs

11. The Selection Process Selection Criteria Proposed Solutions:
Identify & consult with major players in the key areas of development as means of establishing national & provincial human resource requirements and developing partnerships that could provide future employment opportunities for Alumni
Review the criteria for defining the target group and subsequent selection of applicants to shift the focus of the entire selection process to that of meeting the identified human resource requirements in the key development areas of the country
This will enhance the potential for meeting the Program objective of creating a pool of leaders needed to ensure a more just & equitable society

12. The Selection Process The Selection Procedure What Has Worked:
The procedure followed has ensured all applicants of a fair evaluation throughout the selection process
Scheduling interviews to group candidates according to the proposed degree (MA or PhD) to ensure candidate evaluation is based on the same academic level

13. The Selection Process The Selection Procedure Identified Challenges:
Reading & evaluating all applications thoroughly within the limited time available
Ensuring evaluation is based on the same selection criteria during each phase of the procedure and that any specific recommendation notes are recorded & forwarded throughout the procedure

14. The Selection Process The Selection Procedure Proposed Solutions:
Revising the guideline document used during the selection procedure to include the agreed ranking & scoring of the criteria applicable and an indication of the national & provincial human resource requirements in the key fields of development
Reviewing the content & structure of the application form so that a reader can easily extract & assess the relevance of the information recorded by an applicant

15. The Selection Process The Interview Panel What Has Worked:
Members have served according to the agreed periods
The affinity of the panel to the Program objectives & their experience in the fields of study
The procedure followed to ensure the panel members are able to be adequately prepared for the interviews
Panel members adherence to the interview schedule & the assessment review done at regular intervals to ensure every candidate is evaluated fairly

16. The Selection Process The Interview Panel Identified Challenges:
Getting the Selection Panel to record scores and then to use these more objectively in support of their nominations!
Proposed Solution:
Redesigning the evaluation form and stressing the need for recording scores & comments to facilitate the completion by IP staff of the IFP Individual Endorsement template for submission to the Secretariat after the interviews

17. The Selection Process Needs Assessment & PAT What Has Worked:
The information required in the application form provides a clear indication of the applicant’s writing & research skills
The experience & ability of the Panel members to identify any areas of additional skills development needed by an applicant to pursue further studies

18. The Selection Process Needs Assessment Identified Challenges:
Developing a means of assessing an applicant’s writing & research skills level against the accepted general standard required at MA or PhD level
Designing the assessment tool so that it forms an integral part of the post-selection activities
Providing standard training in identified skills development areas that is cost effective & easily accessed by the Fellows-Elect

19. The Selection Process Needs Assessment Proposed Solutions:
Working in partnership with a local university to develop the content of an exercise to assess the required writing & research skills against the accepted universal standards
Designing the assessment exercise so that the Fellow-Elect can use it for preparing a comprehensive study objective
Using the e-learning methodology for developing standard training to address identified needs

20. Support & Monitoring Regular, Emergency & Academic What Has Worked:
Having a set schedule for these activities based on the various phases of the Program
The convenience & cost effectiveness of communication to conduct regular and academic monitoring
Keeping records of contacts made in personal files of the Fellows-Elect & Fellows

21. Support & Monitoring Regular, Emergency & Academic
Identified Challenges:
Ensuring communication is two-way!
Being able to identify possible problems that are not always easy to pick up in written communications
Ensuring the process encourages Fellows-Elect & Fellows take responsibility & ownership of the process
Managing the process efficiently & effectively as the number of Fellows joining the Program increases

22. Support & Monitoring Regular, Emergency & Academic Proposed Solutions:
During the pre-departure orientation, issue the Fellows-Elect with a guideline on what is monitored and develop time management exercise in which they must draw up and submit a personalized schedule for complying with the monitoring requirements
Better utilization of the Program database for recording details of the monitoring activities

23. Support & Monitoring Sandwich Programs What Has Worked:
Encouraging Fellows-Elect to use the period prior to placement to identify possible sandwich courses available through research of the existing links the local institutions have with international institutions
Monitoring the progress being made and offering support & guidance for selecting the most appropriate programs that will enhance study objectives

24. Support & Monitoring Sandwich Programs Identified Challenges:
Ensuring Fellows take responsibility for researching & identifying suitable programs so that these can be scheduled into their study period effectively
Fellows’ awareness of the conditions applicable to sandwich courses so that theses are given due consideration in selecting the university & program that supports their study objectives

25. Support & Monitoring Sandwich Programs Proposed Solutions:
Information provided during the Post-Selection orientation includes a list of institutions that offer study programs linked to the Program
Fellows-Elect are encouraged to use the experience of other members of the Cohort in identifying & planning for their sandwich program
Sharing information on appropriate sandwich programs is one of the areas of cooperation with local universities enlisted to support the Program

26. Support & Monitoring Alumni Identified Challenges:
Keeping in contact with Alumni especially where they take up available employment in an area unrelated to the Program
For Alumni to take responsibility & ownership of their continued participation in the Program
Supporting Alumni in their efforts to participate in & contribute to the activities of the SA & International Cohort

27. Support & Monitoring Alumni Possible Solutions:
Meeting with representatives of all partners in the Program to establish support & monitoring strategies for the post-program period and the roles of the related partners in implementing these
Encouraging Alumni to form/join an association & spear-head activities that offer support to other members of the Cohort