Application Deadline: March 31st, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO) 12th Continental Essay Competition. The SABS is a member of African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO). ARSO is an intergovernmental body, established by the African Union and UNECA in 1977 with a principal mandate to harmonize African Standards and conformity assessment procedures in order to reduce Technical Barriers to Trade and therefore promote intra African and International trade as well as enhance industrialization of Africa. Part of the ARSO mandate is to ensure the well-being and safety of the African community. As an African organization, ARSO’s vision and mission are aligned with any efforts made to eradicate poverty, educate the youth, and foster a culture among the youth.
2025 Theme
Role of Education about Standardisation (EaS) in shaping Education and African Students for the sustainable Development opportunities and challenges in the 21st Century.
To participate in the competition, students must submit their essays to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
The SABS will assess and award the top 5 national winners.The top five winning essays will be forwarded to ARSO as entries in the continental competition. All essays must be well-written, demonstrate creativity and innovation, as well as understanding of the theme for assessment – as guided in the subsequent continental concept note. In addition to the continental requirement, the SABS further requires that essays must be properly formatted (structured and justified) and properly referenced.
Prizes
National (Coordinated by the SABS)
- 1st Bursary to the value of R 150 000.00
- 1st USD 1000
- 2nd Bursary to the value of R 130 000.00
- 3rd Bursary to the value of R 120 000.00
- 4th 5th Cash prize of R 15 000.00 Continental (Coordinated by the ARSO Central Secretariat) 2nd USD 800 3rd USD 500
The 1st Position Winner at the Continental Level will win a fully sponsored trip to the next ARSO General Assembly taking place in Tanzania (Zanzibar) in June 2025.
Entry Requirements
- This competition is open to all South African students currently registered at any tertiary institutions in South Africa, as recognized by the National Department of Education and Council of Higher Education.
- Interested foreign students at South African tertiary institutions are encouraged to submit their essays to the countries of their origin.
- Participants must be 35 years old or younger. Information and rules of participation in the competition are included in the concept note.
- Essays should be between 1000 and 1200 words. The essays should be double spaced and presented in Century Gothic, size 12.
- Essays must be written in English.
- All essay entries, including a duly completed stamped registration form (attached) and a copy of Identity Document or passport, must be submitted to: ESSAYCOMPETITION@sabs.co.za by Monday, 31st March 2025. •
- Participants are allowed to submit one essay only.
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