Maize Trust Internship for Bursary Students

The Maize Trust Bursary Scheme annually produces a number of MSc and PhD students in maize related fields of study. Some of these students experience difficulty in obtaining employment in the South African maize industry. The Trust has therefore decided to introduce a system of internship, whereby these students will be able to work in the industry for a period of one year, with some financial assistance from the Trust. Any organisation (including universities, research institutions and private entities) can apply to access the funds allocated to such internships, subject to the following criteria:

1. The organisation must be South African based and must be involved in agricultural research, which includes agricultural economic research.
2. Only applications in respect of Maize Trust bursary students will be considered on merit (a list of bursary students is available on request).
3. Only students that have completed their MSc or PhD degrees will be considered for internship.
4. The field of employment of the student must be relevant to the South African maize industry.
5. The organisation must be committed to keeping the student employed in the specific field for the duration of the internship.
6. The organisation must stipulate its own contribution relating to the internship, which could be monetary or in kind (study assistance, access to facilities, et cetera).
7. The Trust requires identification of the student to be considered, as well as a short summary of the intended employment in the organisation.
8. The organisation must nominate a mentor for the intern from within the organisation and is to be approved by the Trust.
9. An internship, if approved by the Maize Trust, will be applicable for a period of one year (i.e. twelve months from the commencement date thereof).
10. The organisation must indicate the total stipend that is required from the Trust to contribute to such an internship, but the final stipend to be paid will remain the prerogative and within the discretion of the Trust.
11. The approved stipend will be paid to the organisation monthly by the Trust in twelve equal installments and will not be paid directly to the student.
12. The organisation may propose such other criteria and conditions related to the internship of the specific student that it deems appropriate, for consideration by the Trust within its own discretion.

Applications must be submitted in writing to the Maize Trust before 31 January 2012 and must contain all the details required in terms of the conditions, as well as such other information and suggestions that you may deem appropriate.  You attention is also drawn to the fact that your application must state the desired stipend, but the final amount will be determined by the Trust in its own discretion. 

The applications will be considered during February 2012 and you will be notified before the end of that month of the outcome.

For further information or details relating to the intended internships, contact the Maize Trust's Administrators, L&L Agricultural Services,