The Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research in collaboration with Dubai Healthcare City (DHC), a member of Tatweer, and the Dubai Press Club (DPC), has opened the application process for the second annual Science Writers Fellowship Programme.

Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research is a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Centre.

The programme is open to early-to-mid-career print and broadcast journalists in the Gulf region covering healthcare, medical or science issues.

To be considered for the programme, applicants must be Arab speaking, with three years experience in writing, reporting or broadcast journalism. A good command of English, as well as a degree in writing, communications, journalism, or similar discipline/programme is mandatory, said an official spokesman.

Applicants will be required to submit resumes in English with a covering letter detailing how the fellowship will benefit their career. Applications must be accompanied by two recently published articles in English or Arabic, or two visual samples or audio tapes of individual’s work.

The deadline for submissions is April 4, 2008. Three successful fellowship candidates will be notified by April 11, 2008.

“Selected journalists will actively participate in a vigorous five-day programme at Harvard Medical School, acquiring skills on accurate, professional and reliable methods of reporting science and health issues,” said DHC CEO Dr Muhadditha Al Hashimi,

Successful journalists will be invited to Boston, US, by Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) Office of Public Affairs.

During the six-day program, which begins on May 11, 2008, the Science Writer Fellows will interact with their Boston-based counterparts, and receive opportunities to interview leading Harvard Medical School administrators, scientists and physicians.

The participants will develop skills to convey complex medical and scientific topics to lay audiences. Visits to hospitals and research facilities connected with Harvard Medical School will also be included in the agenda.

Journalists interested in applying for the Science Writers Fellowship Programme can gain additional information from the Dubai Harvard Foundation fro Medical Research website: www.dhfmr.hms.harvard.edu.

DHC currently hosts leading healthcare providers offering advanced services and continuing medical education programmes. Its portfolio includes prestigious entities such as the Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education Dubai, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, the Mayo Clinic and the Moorfield’s Eye Hospital Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service