The NUHA Foundation is launching its first essay competition which is open to all. Whichever country you are from, NUHA would like to hear what YOU have to say about how you think education should function in your country and across the world.
Why an essay competition?
The competition has been established with the twin aims of:
- Creating an international platform to debate issues relating to education and development.
- Creating an opportunity to publish the work of students and of people who want to be heard.
Who can enter?
Absolutely anyone! There are two prizes this year:
- NUHA Blogging Youth Prize (for those born in 1993 or after): £100
- NUHA Blogging Prize (for those born before 1993): £150
It doesn’t matter whether English is your first, second, third or fourth language: your article will be judged first and foremost on the quality of your argument and the originality of your ideas.
What should I write?
Taking education and development as your starting point, write an essay of between 500 and 1,500 words in response to one of the statements below.
Youth category (for those born in 1993 or after):
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
- Education is worth paying for.
- In the 21st century, it is better to give a child a computer than a book.
General category (for those born before 1993):
- “Only the educated are free.” Epictetus
- The State should encourage access to private education.
- “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin Toffler
When should I enter?
As soon as you like! The Editor will read every essay she receives, which may then be posted on the NUHA blog and we hope that you will respond to these postings with further debate.
If you are ready to submit your article, click here.
Timeline:
- 16 September 2011: Deadline for all entries (submissions posted on the NUHA blog until 30 September 2011).
- Until 31 October 2011: Discuss and/or vote for already submitted and preferred artices on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.
- 1 November 2011: Editor announces shortlist of 9 submissions: 3 on the basis of votes, 3 on the basis of discussions around them, and 3 on the basis of intrinsic quality.
- 1 December 2011: Winners for each category will be selected.
Source: The NUHA Foundation
** Updated timeline (as of 23rd September 2011) **
- New deadline for all entries: 30th September 2011.
- All publishable entries posted on NUHA blog by 16 October 2011.
- From 16th October to 15th November 2011, vote for your preferred articles by liking or re-posting them on Facebook (you may also tweet and debate the essays).
- 16th November 2011: Editor announces shortlist of 9 submissions (see above).
- 7th December 2011: Winners from each category will be selected.
As soon as you like! The Editor will read every essay she receives, which may then be posted on the NUHA blog and we hope that you will respond to these postings with further debate.
If you are ready to submit your article, click here.
The deadline for all entries is 16 September 2011 and we may post your article on the NUHA blog until 30 September 2011.
You then have until 31 October 2011 to vote for your preferred articles by liking or re-posting them on Facebook, tweeting about them or emailing them to your friends. You also have until 31 October 2011 to continue debating about the topics above.
On 1 November 2011, the Editor will announce which 9 published articles have been shortlisted for the Prizes. For each Prize, 3 articles will be shortlisted on the basis of your vote, 3 other articles will be shortlisted on the basis of how much you have been debating them, and 3 more articles will be shortlisted on the basis of their intrinsic quality.
On 1 November 2011, the Editor will also unveil the panel of judges for each Prize, who will focus on the quality of the argument and the originality of the ideas of the 9 shortlisted essays.
The winners for both the Blogging Youth Prize and the general Blogging Prize will be announced on 1 December 2011.
This is a really cool opportunity, thanks for sharing !
This is a good way of getting lots of ideas and challenges facing learning and learners today.
This is the right platform where thinkers will learn more to think how to think,much interested with the prize,thanks!
Definitely, this is the best ground for scholars to show their importance in the community….
It is gold opportunity to both African and others scholars especially adult and University students.
Let us use this opportunity to create the basic understanding on academic field
Glad this has been useful, and I hope you will all be submitting entries! Your essays are always welcome here on Vijana FM as well.
Thanks, Vijana! Please note: deadline for submitting essays extended to September 30 — we want to hear from as many of you as possible!
For sure this is agolden opportunity, me and my friends must participate and give out our views! More encouragement will make more people to participate!
Actually, it will be nice if many people will respond to the proposed titles! More sensitization is needed. Keep it up!
It is encouraging to see more people submitting their articles. We will get a lot of ideas pertaining to education and development from different people.
Hello everyone, please see the updated timeline at the bottom of the post. In particular:
* New deadline for all entries: 30th September 2011.
* All publishable entries posted on NUHA blog by 16 October 2011.
* From 16th October to 15th November 2011, vote for your preferred articles by liking or re-posting them on Facebook (you may also tweet and debate the essays).
* 16th November 2011: Editor announces shortlist of 9 submissions (see above).
* 7th December 2011: Winners from each category will be selected.
Shortlisted essays have been announced! See http://vijana.fm/2011/10/10/nuha-foundation-blog-competition-winners/