(Revised) Call for Applications (Papers) for the Professor Ahang Beny Scholarship
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that the children of Professor Ambrose Ahang Beny, namely Laura Nyantung and John Rin Beny, inaugurate the above titled scholarship in our late father’s name. We seek in some small, yet positive, way to advance the hopes, dreams and aspirations of South Sudan’s next generation of youngsters! (Initially, this Scholarship will be targeted at first through fourth year collegians attending universities across South Sudan. However, if our efforts prove successful, the scholarship will be expanded to include primary and senior secondary school students in future years.)
Our father, Professor Ambrose Ahang Beny, unequivocally devoted his life to education and the Letters. Professor Beny, an avid and brilliant scholar, taught English/African Literature and served as Dean of the College of Education at the University of Juba, South Sudan from 1980 to 1987. He wasn’t merely interested in his own training (or that of his seven children) but also cared deeply about the plight of his country’s pupils at the primary through university levels. Like many of his colleagues at the University of Juba, he strongly believed a prosperous and enlightened South Sudan could be achieved by unceasingly supporting plus strengthening the country’s institutions of learning; “from the ground up”, he would probably say.
In the Ahang Beny Scholarship’s first year, 2012, my sister and I will act as judges. We will select one winning paper and a runner up. The winner will receive $2,000.00 USD and the second–place finisher will be given $1,000.00 USD. Award of Professor Ahang Beny Scholarship monies is contingent on the official opening of the country’s universities. The winners will be required to verify their enrollment in one of South Sudan’s universities and funds will be disbursed directly to the respective educational institution for payment of tuition expenses. The prizes are to be used in advancing the recipient’s higher education, no more. Any remaining funds will be retained in a custodial account to cover subsequent school fees.
Application Requirements
Step 1 (Page 1 – no more than 500 words):
Briefly introduce yourself, stating which South Sudanese university you are enrolled in, at which level and your field of study. Briefly describe your academic achievements to date and how you think this scholarship will advance your educational goals.
Step 2 (Pages 2 and 3 – no more than 1,000 words):
Applicants should use Pages 2 and 3 of the application to write on any subject/topic of their choosing. The submissions should address issues that are of “relevance” and import to South Sudanese. Final papers that are e–mailed for consideration should be devoid of glaring grammatical, or syntax errors, typos, misspelled words, etc. “Frivolous”, plagiarized, or clearly unserious write–ups will immediately be rejected and discarded.
Deadline and Contact Information:
1. Due date/time is 16 Apr 12, no later than 5:00 pm South Sudan local time. Late submissions will be returned.
2. Papers are to be e–mailed to ahangscholarship@gmail.com, again not later than 5:00 pm, South Sudan local time. You may e-mail any questions about the scholarship to the same e-mail address.
Thank you for your time and welcomed participation. It is our hope that this effort, though only a small beginning at this juncture, will greatly encourage South Sudan’s youth and young adults to aggressively and tenaciously pursue an education. Knowledge is power and an educated polity can move the highest mountains or seemingly intractable barriers. There’s no time to waste and much to learn/do; in our shinning historic moment, “patience” is a virtue reserved for those who wish to be left behind by human progress. Let’s get on with it right now!
//Signed//
*John Rin Beny and Laura Nyangtung Beny
*Mr. John Rin Beny retired from the U.S. Air Force as a decorated officer in May 11. Currently, he consults on issues related to high–tech weapons systems acquisitions/procurement, integration and logistics. Laura Nyantung Beny is Visiting Professor of Law, Duke University (2012) and Professor of Law, University of Michigan, USA