KUNST – WASCAL PhD Scholarships in Climate Change & Land Use 2016

We are glad to inform the general public that WASCAL, KUNST Scholarships Programme PhD in Climate Change & Land Use application is in progress.

“West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use” (WASCAL)
The WASCAL Graduate Research Programme in Climate Change and Land Use (GRP-CCLU) is pleased to announce that up to 10 fully-funded (tuition, stipend, research and travel grants) scholarships are available for applicants from the following ten West African Countries to study for PhD in Climate Change and Land Use at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana:

Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Mali and Senegal.
Background of the Programme

This is a German-government sponsored PhD programme aimed at providing state-of-the-art training for professionals in Climate Change and Land Use. The programme is strongly multidisciplinary and jointly organised by twelve institutions from eleven countries (i.e. the ten West African Countries listed above and Germany). Participants will acquire knowledge on the causes of climate change, the implications of climate change on land use for the West African sub-region, and the policy and management practices that may be put in place to mitigate and adapt to the impact of the changing climate on land use.

The variation in climate conditions compounded by poor land management practices are threats to development of the region. The region, which is generally poor, is yet to effectively develop geographic information system and remote sensing technologies for land administration. These, when developed are expected to make available useful data and information for effective land use management.

The West African sub-region is faced with the following challenges, which may hinder the bid towards effective land use management:

Limited opportunities for land use and geo-scientists to improve their capacity at the graduate level.
Lack of electronic science infrastructure for land use education and training.
Gaps between climate and land use research findings and implementation.
Lack of awareness about the value of climate and land use information among decision makers.

Read more HERE
Responsibilities of Participants

The PhD participant’s tasks will be to;

Attend all classes for the required modules in the course work phase and pass all examinations.
Develop a comprehensive research proposal with detailed literature review and methodology.
Must pass a comprehensive exam after the first year as KNUST School of Graduate Studies requirement.
Undertake diligently the selected research topic within the context of this programme.
Timely feedback and submission of reports and assignments is cardinal.
The international nature of the programme will demand good working relations between people of different cultures, so participants must show maturity in working in groups.
The participant is expected to publish at least 2 papers from his/her research findings in a reputable international peer-reviewed journal before qualifying to graduate.

The selected candidate will be enrolled in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and will attend all lectures at Kumasi but will have the opportunity to visit any of the partner universities for research and discussions when necessary.
Financial Matters

All scholarship-holding PhD fellows will receive a stipend of €500.00 per month (but will receive €250.00 during pre-course English language preparations) to cover accommodation and other expenses for the months spent in Ghana. Approved travel costs, costs for fieldwork, etc., will be reimbursed. The disbursement of scholarship funds will be connected to the successful delivery of research work deliverables to be agreed upon between the project coordinator, the supervisor and the PhD fellow at the onset of the research work.

Field research will be sponsored after a successful course work and defends of PhD proposal. The PhD fellow will travel to Germany once during the course of the PhD fellowship period to participate in PhD level courses and joint supervision. The trip will be 3 – 6 months in duration. Airfare will be paid for by the project and a monthly stipend of about €1000.00 (to cater for lodging and personal expenses) will also be provided for each month spent in Germany.
Employment Opportunities

Participants graduating from this multidisciplinary and multinational programme will gain skills as scientific officers, managers of natural resources or academics expected to find employment in conservation agencies and bodies, land and forestry agencies, research institutions, nature reserves, overseas aid programmes, international NGOs, environmental protection agencies, departments of agriculture, water resources or soil, and universities.
Entry Requirements

In conformity with the entry requirement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate will have a minimum of:

Second Class (Upper Division) in their first degree.
Good Masters degree in Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Engineering option), Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydrology option), Geomatic Engineering, Natural Resources (Silviculture and Forestry, and Watershed management), Mathematics, Geography, Land Economy, Atmospheric Physics, Climatology, and other relevant disciplines, with an average of at least 60%. Submit academic transcripts.
Candidates from Francophone countries must have an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or British Council, IELTS) with above average score. Otherwise they will undertake a four-month intensive English training and preparatory courses.
Evidence of current and previous employments.
Experience with modelling and GIS would be an advantage but not a prerequisite.
Full time availability from February1, 2016 – for a period of forty-three months.
Demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem solving potentials.
Provide 2 referees, one of whom must be the supervisor at the Master’s level.
Submit both soft and hard copies of a short concept note (max. 3 pages outlining the justification, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes of the a research idea
Submit both soft and hard copies of a letter of motivation (max. two pages) with the heading “WASCAL GRP-CCLU PhD” outlining the following:
Why you want to study Climate Change and Land Use at the PhD level
What is your current occupation or job
Why you are well-suited to study this programme
How your admission into the PhD Climate Change and Land Use Programme will fit into your professional vision.
How your home country stands to benefit after your training
You may also add other relevant information and/or experience you feel is necessary to support your application.

In addition, the candidate must have the ability to travel to Germany for a period of 3 – 6 months for PhD course training and supervisory workshops.
How to Apply for KUNST – WASCAL PhD Scholarships in Climate Change & Land Use

Download and Completes Application Form

Interested candidates are to apply completes the application form by accessing the KNUST APPLICATION via

Ghanaian Applicants: Are to complete the attached pdf application forms

Foreign Applicants: admissions.knust.edu.gh/pgadmissionsnew/foreign.php

All Applicants must complete the attached pdf referee form
Carefully read the IMPORTANT NOTES on the Application Form
Complete application form and scanned recent passport-size picture
The deadline for receiving completed application forms and all necessary documents at the GRP CCLU is January 08, 2016.
Submit the signed application form and other information by email to the Secretary at wascalknust@gmail.com ; wascal.cclu@knust.edu.gh and copy intern.w@wascal.org ; weto.s@wascal.org

KNUST in collaboration with the GRP CCLU Board will short list candidates and select one candidate for each country. There may be the need for a selection interview in/or near Kumasi OR via telephone. The date of the interview will be communicated after short listing. The selection interview is mandatory to support the final selection of candidates. Successful candidates will then submit hardcopy of the application package.
Application Supporting Document

Completed application form
Detailed CV
Two letters of reference (one from a supervisor at the Master’s level)
Short concept note (three pages)
Motivation letter (two pages)
Official transcript for BSc and MSc degrees
Official certificate for BSc and MSc degrees
Two recent passport photographs
Proof of English proficiency

Please Note Following:

Application deadline: January 08, 2016.
Send supporting documents in a single zip file
Supporting documents in French must have an official English translated version in addition
Ineligible, incomplete or late applications will not be processed
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by February 15, 2016 for an interview or to provide additional details

MyEduGist Team

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Gambia: UTG Holds Climate Change Research Agenda Workshop

By Isatou Senghore-Njie

The University of The Gambia (UTG) recently organised a daylong training workshop on national consultations on the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL).

The aim was to fulfill its mission as a regionally-based services centre on climate change, with a coherent research agenda that meets the needs of the people in West Africa.

UTG holds climate change research agenda workshop

The University of The Gambia (UTG) recently organised a daylong training workshop on national consultations on the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL).

The aim was to fulfill its mission as a regionally-based services centre on climate change, with a coherent research agenda that meets the needs of the people in West Africa.

It was also planned to hold national and regional consultations on the organisation’s research programme for the period 2016-2020.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Pa Ousman Jarju, Minister of Environment, Water Resources, Climate Change, Parks and Wildlife, said climate change is the biggest challenge of our time.

He noted that one of the reasons is because it has been established that Africa’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by multiple stresses and a number of non-climate factors, including low levels of development, a high prevalence of diseases, conflicts, high dependence on rain-fed agriculture and low adaptive capacity.

He said a 1.5-2 degree warming by 2030-2040 could lead to about 40-80 per cent reduction in present maize, millet and sorghum cropping areas for current cultivars, adding that with a 3-degree warming, the reduction could grow to more than 90 per cent.

WASCAL is a large-scale research-focused programme at the climate service center designed to help address this challenge, and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability.

It also strengthens the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change, and by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany, he added.

Professor MIA Khalil, UTG Vice Chancellor, said nine students from nine different West African countries graduated last month from the master’s research programme on climate change at the UTG, and they are currently recruiting for the next batch of students.

The main purpose of the meeting was to consult various groups and individuals to help identify the issues related to climate change in the country, the corresponding research needs and research gaps as contained in the reference document, he said.

Dr. Abubacarr Senghore, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, said WASCAL is a regional programme on climate change education, a regional capacity building initiative aimed at improving the understanding of climate change impacts in West Africa.

He urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to have our research needs and gaps fully represented in the 2016-2020 WASCAL agenda.
Author: Isatou Senghore-Njie

Consultation nationale sur les changements climatiques au Togo au Centre WASCAL

REAGISSEZ Vidéos Edition de 20h du JT du lundi 13 avril 2015 – 14/4/2015 Dans le dossier Education Nationale 2015 Le Centre Ouest Africain de Service Scientifique sur les Changements climatiques et l’Utilisation Adaptée des Terres à l’Université de Lomé -WASCAL Lomé-, a organisé le mardi 29 décembre 2015 audit centre, une journée de “Consultation Nationale sur les Changements Climatiques au Togo, Agenda de Recherche 2016-2020”.

Klimawandel in Afrika: Wissenschaftliche Unterstützung aus Garmisch

Die Alpen und die westafrikanische Savanne haben auf den ersten Blick nicht viel gemeinsam. Doch was sie teilen, ist eine unsichere Zukunft. Beide gehören zu den mit am meisten vom Klimawandel betroffenen Regionen. Schon jetzt spüren das die Bauern in Westafrika. Das ist besonders fatal,denn die Region gilt als ein Brotkorb Afrikas. Deswegen braucht es dort zuverlässige Klimamodelle für die Zukunft. Daran arbeiten gerade Wissenschaftler am Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung in Garmisch-Partenkirchen – zusammen mit Kollegen aus Afrika.

Consultation nationale sur les changements climatiques au Togo au Centre WASCAL

Le Centre Ouest Africain de Service Scientifique sur les Changements climatiques et l’Utilisation Adaptée des Terres à l’Université de Lomé -WASCAL Lomé-, a organisé le mardi 29 décembre 2015 audit centre, une journée de “Consultation Nationale sur les Changements Climatiques au Togo, Agenda de Recherche 2016-2020”.

Des Universitaires et plusieurs organismes dont des Ministères, des Centres de recherche, des réseaux d’action environnementale et des ONG vénus de tous les coins du Togo ont pris part à cette consultation nationale.

L’objectif principale de cette rencontre est de remonter les informations pertinentes concernant les difficultés liées aux changements climatiques auxquelles font face les habitants des différentes régions du Togo au quotidien, ceci, afin d’aider à l’établissement d’un nouvel Agenda de Recherche au centre WASCAL pour la période 2016-2020. … suite de l’article sur Autre presse

Conséquences du changement climatique: Le Wascal prône la recherche de solutions aux problèmes des acteurs

Il y a quelques semaines, le monde avait les yeux rivés sur Paris où se dérouler la Confé­rence internationale sur le climat (Cop21). Le Centre régional de services fondés sur les sciences relatives au changement climatique (Wascal) a organisé, hier, des consultations nationales sur les conséquences du changement climatique. Il s’agit de mettre en place un programme de recherche «cohérent» allant de 2016 à 2020 et qui va prendre en compte les besoins et les préoccupations des agriculteurs, des éleveurs, des pêcheurs.

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