The Citrus Academy was established in 2005 and is a non-profit company, founded by the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) of Southern Africa as a way to develop human resources within the citrus industry of Southern African.
The Academy is responsible for addressing issues and challenges faced by the citrus industry, namely scarce and critical skills; quality of skills delivery; black economic empowerment; employment equity and low production skills levels.
In 2006, the Academy founded the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund and is now the biggest private bursary fund in primary agriculture, as well as one of the biggest in the primary sector.
ABOUT THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Citrus Academy is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2024 academic year.
Bursaries are awarded to deserving students each year, for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies in Agricultural-related subjects, specifically the following fields:
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Management
- Agricultural Production
- Entomology
- Horticulture
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Production
- Soil Science
MORE ABOUT THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, prescribed books, stationery, accommodation, meals and research costs (for postgraduate students), as well as other study-related expenses.
Students will also be assisted with finding suitable vacation work in relation to their studies.
MORE ABOUT THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY PROGRAMME – RENEWAL, SERVICE CONTRACT & SELECTION
Bursary recipients are required to maintain a minimum “D” average and not fail any main subjects, in order to receive funding each year.
Undergraduate, diploma and certificate students are required to undertake vacation work each year, for a minimum period of 4 weeks. On completion of their studies, students will be required to take up employment within the citrus industry, for a period of time equal to their bursary award.
Bursary recipients will be required to sign a Bursary Agreement, which contains strict academic standards and committment to the Citrus Academy Code of Conduct.
Successful candidates will be contacted by mid-December 2024 – if you do not receive any feedback by this date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY
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 citizen of South African, Zimbabwe or Swaziland
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying towards a qualification relating to citrus production or research, specifically one of the fields mentioned above
- You must be entering your 2nd year or higher year of study in 2024
- You must be studying full time or part time at a recognised and registered tertiary institute (University/ University of Technology/ College) in South Africa
- You must be interested in pursuing a career within the citrus industry
Candidates will be selected based on the following main criteria: previously disadvantaged status, relevant field of study, academics, financial need, background relation to the citrus industry, gender (female students will receive preference) and disability (students living with disabilities are encouraged to apply).
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY
Applications must be submitted online at: Citrus Academy Bursary Application 2024
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Passport or ID document, if a citizen of Zimbabwe or Swaziland
- Secondary education results (certified copy)
- Most recent tertiary academic record (certified copy)
- Motivational essay explaining the following: why you wish to study further, your background in the citrus industry, how you will give back to the citrus industry and citrus enterprise when you have completed your studies (max 500 words)
- Details of your proposed research project (postgraduate students)
SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY
- Applicants will receive a notification after their application has been successfully submitted.
- After the bursary has closed for application, candidates will be scored according to a weighted scoring system, and ranked.
- Postgraduate applications will be scored in terms of importance and priority, by citrus researchers and academics in various fields. Postgraduate students must provide details of their research project and supervisor in order to facilitate this process.
- After the scoring process is complete, top candidates will be shortlisted alongside current bursary recipients who will be continuing their studies.
- Shortlisted candidates will then be submitted for approval and thereafter funding will be secured.
- Successful candidates will be informed between the middle of December 2024 and the middle of January 2024. If you not receive any feedback, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
CLOSING DATE FOR THE CITRUS ACADEMY BURSARY
15 September 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Citrus Academy directly:
Tel: 031 765 3410 / 031 765 3412 / 086 546 7808
Email: [email protected]
Please read the Citrus Academy Bursary FAQ’s before submitting any queries.