WASCAL offers scholarships to 100 West African graduate student ths on climate change thematic programs

The students, who will be studying in 10 of the highest universities in West Africa, expressed delight for the opportunity given them by BMBF through WASCAL. They pledged to fully maximize it to the benefit of the career and West Africa as a whole.

The scholarship also forms part of WASCAL’s commitment to training and building the capacity of the next generation of African scientists to champion the fight against climate change, while influencing governments and policy makers. The graduate program also aims at designing strategies to adapt to threats, opportunities and uncertainties of climate change within the region.

The 100 students, comprising 60 Doctoral Research Program and 40 Master’s Research Program Students were drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Togo, Benin, The Gambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. They will be moving into their various universities, depending on the climate change thematic courses they have chosen to pursue.

This is the third batch of students admitted into the WASCAL program since the inception of the WASCAL Capacity Building Program in 2012. So far 255 students have benefited from the scholarship program. The postgraduate program is a partnership between 10 West African Universities and selected German Institutions.

Government of Burkina Faso pledges support for WASCAL

The Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Burkina Faso, Prof. Michel Filiga Sawadogo, has pledged Government’s readiness to work closely with WASCAL on issues related to climate change in West Africa.

He said the release of hectares of land in the heart of Ouagadougou for the establishment of what will become West Africa’s biggest Climate Change Resource Centre is symbolic of government’s commitment to WASCAL. He stressed the relevance of the Competence Centre and indicated that it will contribute immensely in the fight against climate change in West Africa.

The Minister also commended the German Government and the leadership of WASCAL for the initiative and for choosing Burkina Faso to build the center of excellence.

Professor Sawadogo made the remarks when the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of WASCAL paid a courtesy call on the Ministry as parts of efforts to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two outfits.

The chairman of SAC, Professor Jimmy Adegoke thanked the government for expressing keen interest in the work of WASCAL, evident in the contribution of the vast land they have allocated to WASCAL.

He also congratulated the government for being the first ECOWAS country to fulfil their financial pledge towards the sustenance and development of WASCAL.

5th scientific advisory committee meeting held in Ouagadougou

The three day meeting formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity and operations of the Competence Centre to serve its original purpose.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of WASCAL, Dr. Laurent Sedogo, indicated that the Competence Centre was set up to play the steering role of WASCAL, and so there was the need to ensure that it was on the right track. The Committee also paid a courtesy call on the Honorable Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Professor Michel Filiga Sawadogo.

The chairman of the SAC, Professor Jimmy Adegoke, underscored the core mandate of the Committee as being sub-committee of the Governing Board, responsible for the provision of technical advice to the Board. The visit to the Centre was, therefore, to directly interact with the scientific staff, share ideas and experiences, assess the role and place of the Centre in the overall WASCAL science plan and programme implementation. The Committee also tasked the Researchers to develop products and services that will strategically position WASCAL as a West African think-tank in Climate Change services.

Postponed deadline for the Thesis Research Awards for Non-WASCAL Sponsored West African Nationals

WASCAL offers Thesis Research Awards towards Doctoral and Master thesis research on climate change in West Africa to West African students enroled in a Master’s or Doctoral Program at a West African university or abroad. The Application Deadline has been postponed to February 29, 2016.

Applicants must have completed all course requirements for the degree as well as be in the research and/or writing phase of the dissertation. The dissertation must be on climate change and any of the thematic areas of biodiversity, agriculture, adapted land use, climate systems, education, human security, economics and energy. In addition, applicants should not have received any other funding to support the dissertation activities outlined in the PhD or MSc proposal/budget. Priority is given to candidates pursuing a career in government ministries, research and/or teaching at a public institution in West Africa.

Read more about the neccessary documentations and requests.

Announcement: Application Process for Doctoral and Master’s Fellowships at the Graduate Studies Program has been extended

Please note: The call for application has been extended to January 22, 2016.

WASCAL (West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use) is a large-scale research-focused Climate Service Center designed to help tackle severe challenges posed by climate change and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability. It does so by strengthening the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change and by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. Through the Graduate Studies Program WASCAL’s Capacity Building Program helps educate the next generation of scientists to attain an intimate knowledge of different climate related issues in order to help the region develop suitable management strategies.

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program supports four Master’s and six Doctoral Programs implemented at ten lead Universities across West African countries. WASCAL provides full scholarships to the Doctoral and Master’s students in all the ten lead Universities with comprehensive training and research support. Doctoral students may spend up to six months at a host institution in Germany. The language of instruction is English. English and French language training programs are provided for all graduate students. Graduate students have access to the research facilities set up through WASCAL funding and located at various watersheds in West Africa. German partner universities collaborate with the Doctoral and Master’s Programs in the areas of curriculum development, visiting professorships and co-supervision of graduate students.

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program offers its students:

High quality research and education on climate change and its impact on human environmental systems.
Up to six months at a host institution in Germany (Doctoral Programs only!)
Interdisciplinary working approach
International lecturers and supervisors
English language classes
Scholarship and research budget, including a personal laptop computer

Doctoral Programs

West African Climate System
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form and the recommendation letter

Climate Change and Water Resources
Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change Economics
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Biodiversity
Université Felix Houphouet Boigny (formerly Université de Cocody‐Abidjan), Côte d‘Ivoire
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Land Use
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
Apply now: Download call for applications and referee form and application form

Climate Change and Agriculture
L’Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée, (IPR-IFRA), Mali and University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Time Frame

The time frame of the doctoral programs is three and a half years. During the first three months, students take English and/or French language classes and common courses at the language centers. During the next 6 months student participate in lectures at their Graduate Research Program and prepare their proposals. After their proposals have been approved by their supervisors, the students conduct their field research for 12 to 24 months. For the remaining period of time, students will write up their thesis and are offered to spend up to six months at a German host institution.

Requirements

Candidates applying for a Doctoral Program must have a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline in addition to a BSc degree (second class upper division).
Citizenship in one of the WASCAL member country (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Sénegal, Togo)
Five credits including Mathematics and English Language that are also equivalent to Francophone university grading system
Gender-balanced selection decision
Applicant should show proficiency in English Language.
Meet additional requirement of the lead university

Master’s Programs

Climate Change and Human Security
University of Lomé, Togo
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Education
University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia
Apply now: Download application form

Climate Change and Energy
Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey (UAM), Niger
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Adapted Land Use
Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Apply now: Download application form

Time Frame

The time frame for the Master’s programs is two years. During the first year students participate in the course program of their Graduate Research Program and work on their research outline. Research will be conducted during the second year within a period of six to nine months. Students finish the program with writing up their thesis during the last three to six month.

Requirements

Candidates applying for Master’s Program must have a minimum BSc degree (second class upper division) in a discipline relevant to the respective program.
Citizenship in one of the WASCAL member country (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Sénegal, Togo)
Five credits including Mathematics and English Language that are also equivalent to Francophone university grading system
Gender-balanced selection decision
Applicant should show proficiency in English Language.
Meet additional requirement of the lead university

Application Process

The application process is handled jointly by WASCAL and the individual Graduate Programs. Applications can be submitted online to any of the Graduate Studies Program for the 2015/2015 season until January 22, 2016. The details of the application process can be found at the respective programs pages (see linkes above). Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews by January 29, 2016.

More information on the Graduate Studies Program and on open applications can be found here or at the respective universities websites.

Graduation of master students of the WASCAL Master Research Program “Climate Change and Education”

Nine students graduated successfully at the WASCAL Master Research Program “Climate Change and Education” at the University of the Gambia. In the picture: The graduates at the celebration ceremony on December 2, 2015.

The two-year Master’s Research Program on Climate Change and Education in the Gambia builds climate change expertise of students from the ten West African WASCAL countries in an inspiring, multi-disciplinary and intercultural learning environment.

Each year, ten to twenty students are admitted to the program, which has a focus on developing skills in communication, education and public relations. These skills are highly relevant for policy-advice, public awareness building on climate change, as well as for the implementation of adaptation programs.

In the picture, from left to right:

1. Mamoudou BA
ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE NORTH BANK REGION, THE GAMBIA

2. Fatou BOJANG
AWARENESS OF VEGETABLE PRODUCER S ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE LEVEL OF EXTENSION SERVICES PROVIDED IN LOWER REGION OF THE GAMBIA

3. Cynthia KUTIR
FARMERS’S AWARENESS AND RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE NORTH BANK REGION, THE GAMBIA

4. Abdoulaye BORE
FLOOD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION RESPONSES: CASE STUDY OF BASSE, THE GAMBIA

5. Constantine A. A. KOUEVI
IMPACT OF DROUGHT ON LIVELIHOOD RELATED MIGRATION IN FOUR COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTH BANK REGION OF THE GAMBIA

6. Corine B. L. SINSIN
ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH PRIORITIZATION OF CROP WILD RELATIVES: THE CASE OF THE GAMBIA

7. Afi KAVEGUE
IMPACTS OF FLOODING AND COPING MECHANISMS ON SCHOOL CHILDREN RESIDING IN EBO TOWN, KANIFING MUNICIPALITY, THE GAMBIA

8. Pauline ATTEMENE
SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED GAMBIAN ECOTOURISM AREAS

9. Abdoul-Rasmane BAGAGNAN
FARMERS’PERCEPTIONS AND RESPONSE TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN THE CENTRAL RIVER REGION OF THE GAMBIA

In the midst of global Climate Change Negotiations: WASCAL at COP21 in Paris

Laurent Sédogo, Janet Adelegan and Harald Kunstmann represented WASCAL at the COP 21 in Paris (Nov. 30-Dec.12, 2015). In the pictures: Laurent Sédogo and Janet Adelegan giving presentations at a COP21 side event organized by BMBF and WASCAL/SASSCAL and Laurent Sédogo and Harald Kunstmann in front of Burkina Faso’s national pavilion.

Press coverage: Harald Kunstmann was interviewed by the regional tv channel Bayerische Rundfunk, 11.12.2015 at 22:45h on the COP21: http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/sendungen/nachrichten/interview-kunstmann-klimagipfel-100.html#&time=

Thesis Research Awards for Non-WASCAL Sponsored West African Nationals

Update: The deadline has been postponed to february 29, 2016

Applicants must have completed all course requirements for the degree as well as be in the research and/or writing phase of the dissertation. The dissertation must be on climate change and any of the thematic areas of biodiversity, agriculture, adapted land use, climate systems, education, human security, economics and energy. In addition, applicants should not have received any other funding to support the dissertation activities outlined in the PhD or MSc proposal/budget. Priority is given to candidates pursuing a career in government ministries, research and/or teaching at a public institution in West Africa.
Requests should be supported by the following documentation:

Evidence of an attachment to, or sponsorship by, an institution in West Africa engaged in government ministries, research and/or training in the public sector in the region.
Evidence of registration in a recognized PhD or MSc program in a relevant area.
An approved research proposal, complete with clearly defined objectives, substantial literature review and a well-outlined analytical framework, as well as pertinent research methodology.
A statement of limitations and policy relevance of the study.
A letter of reference from the thesis supervisor, and a letter of institutional support from the Head of Department.
A detailed budget including evidence of any additional financial support that may be necessary to complete the program.
Curriculum vitae.

Processing of Application for PhD Thesis Research Award

Upon the receipt of the proposal and the supporting documentation, it is sent to two external reviewers in the relevant programs of the WASCAL Graduate Studies Program, who comment on the adequacy of the proposal. In the event that the reviewers suggest corrections to be made and give positive feedback, the comments are sent to the students to incorporate and then resubmit the revised proposal for a final review. Once the proposal is cleared by at least two reviewers, it is presented together with the comments from the external reviewers to the Thesis Grant Sub-Committee of the Graduate Studies Program, who will go through the recommendations of the reviewers and make recommendation to the Capacity Building Department of WASCAL to approve for thesis funding. It is after this that research grants can be awarded.
Application Deadlines for 2015/2016 Academic Session

The PhD and MSc Thesis Research Awards applications deadline is January 30, February 29, 2016.
Proposal and supporting documents for thesis grant should be sent to:
The Director of Capacity Building,
WASCAL Accra Office, CSIR Office Complex,
Agostino Neto Road, Airport Residential Area, PMB CT 504, Cantonments-Accra.
Email: intern.w(at)wascal.org; weto.s(at)wascal.org

Announcement: Application Process for Doctoral and Master’s Fellowships at the Graduate Studies Program Started

Note: The call for application has been extended to January 22, 2016. Read more

WASCAL (West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use) is a large-scale research-focused Climate Service Center designed to help tackle severe challenges posed by climate change and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability. It does so by strengthening the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change and by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. Through the Graduate Studies Program WASCAL’s Capacity Building Program helps educate the next generation of scientists to attain an intimate knowledge of different climate related issues in order to help the region develop suitable management strategies.

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program supports four Master’s and six Doctoral Programs implemented at ten lead Universities across West African countries. WASCAL provides full scholarships to the Doctoral and Master’s students in all the ten lead Universities with comprehensive training and research support. Doctoral students may spend up to six months at a host institution in Germany. The language of instruction is English. English and French language training programs are provided for all graduate students. Graduate students have access to the research facilities set up through WASCAL funding and located at various watersheds in West Africa. German partner universities collaborate with the Doctoral and Master’s Programs in the areas of curriculum development, visiting professorships and co-supervision of graduate students.

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program offers its students:

High quality research and education on climate change and its impact on human environmental systems.
Up to six months at a host institution in Germany (Doctoral Programs only!)
Interdisciplinary working approach
International lecturers and supervisors
English language classes
Scholarship and research budget, including a personal laptop computer

Doctoral Programs

West African Climate System
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form and the recommendation letter

Climate Change and Water Resources
Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change Economics
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Biodiversity
Université Felix Houphouet Boigny (formerly Université de Cocody‐Abidjan), Côte d‘Ivoire
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Land Use
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
Apply now: Download call for applications and referee form and application form

Climate Change and Agriculture
L’Institut Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée, (IPR-IFRA), Mali and University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Time Frame

The time frame of the doctoral programs is three and a half years. During the first three months, students take English and/or French language classes and common courses at the language centers. During the next 6 months student participate in lectures at their Graduate Research Program and prepare their proposals. After their proposals have been approved by their supervisors, the students conduct their field research for 12 to 24 months. For the remaining period of time, students will write up their thesis and are offered to spend up to six months at a German host institution.

Requirements

Candidates applying for a Doctoral Program must have a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline in addition to a BSc degree (second class upper division).
Citizenship in one of the WASCAL member country (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Sénegal, Togo)
Five credits including Mathematics and English Language that are also equivalent to Francophone university grading system
Gender-balanced selection decision
Applicant should show proficiency in English Language.
Meet additional requirement of the lead university

Master’s Programs

Climate Change and Human Security
University of Lomé, Togo
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Education
University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia
Apply now: Download application form

Climate Change and Energy
Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey (UAM), Niger
Apply now: Download call for applications and application form

Climate Change and Adapted Land Use
Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Apply now: Download application form

Time Frame

The time frame for the Master’s programs is two years. During the first year students participate in the course program of their Graduate Research Program and work on their research outline. Research will be conducted during the second year within a period of six to nine months. Students finish the program with writing up their thesis during the last three to six month.

Requirements

Candidates applying for Master’s Program must have a minimum BSc degree (second class upper division) in a discipline relevant to the respective program.
Citizenship in one of the WASCAL member country (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Sénegal, Togo)
Five credits including Mathematics and English Language that are also equivalent to Francophone university grading system
Gender-balanced selection decision
Applicant should show proficiency in English Language.
Meet additional requirement of the lead university

Application Process

Note: The call for application has been extended to January 22, 2016. Read more

The application process is handled jointly by WASCAL and the individual Graduate Programs. Applications can be submitted online to any of the Graduate Studies Program for the 2015/2015 season until January 8, 2016. The details of the application process can be found at the respective programs pages (see linkes above). Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews by January 15, 2016.

More information on the Graduate Studies Program and on open applications can be found here or at the respective universities websites.

First Graduates in Climate Change and Energy

The ten students, who originate from the ten WASCAL countries, defended their theses on November 9-12, 2015, working on such diverse topics such as hydro-power generation and hydro power systems, mapping for wind farmlands, photovoltaic modules, as well as biogas production.

Name of Students and thesis topic

Akpoti, Komlavi 2015. Impact of Rainfall Variability, Land Use and Land Cover Change on Stream Flow for Hydropower Generation in the Black Volta Basin. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Balo, Abdoulaye 2015. Biogas production from various resources and potential greenhouse gas emission reduction in Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Bonkaney, Abdou Latif 2015. Performance‘s study of solar Photovoltaic module in Niamey(Niger). Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Dajuma, Alima 2015. Effect of regional aerosols variability and climate change on PV efficiency :A comparative study between Niamey and Abidjan. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Gassama, Adama 2015. Sensitivity of the efficiency and power output of photovoltaic module found in the Gambia to meteorological parameters: Assessment in a climate change perspective. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Mortey, Eric Mensah 2015. Sustainability Assessment of the Bui Hydropower System. Master Thesis. University Abdou Moumouni.

Ndiaye, Aïssatou 2015. Long term evolution of heat waves and impact on electricity demand and/or consumption over West African cities: Comparative study between Dakar (West Coast) and Niamey (Central Sahel). Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Nkwanko, Nnenna 2015. Biogas Production for Sustainable Development (Brong Ahafo -Ghana). Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Obahoundjé, Salomon 2015. Potential Impacts of Land Use, Land Cover Change and Climate Change on Hydro power Generation in West Africa: The case study of Bui Dam (Ghana). University Abdou Moumouni. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

Sawadogo, Nwindmanagda 2015. Suitability mapping for wind farmlands in Burkina Faso. Master Thesis, University Abdou Moumouni.

WASCAL Celebrates Graduation at the Master Program Climate Change and Human Security, University of Lomé

The Master Program’s Director, Professor Kouami Kokou, opened the festivities and thanked all officials, guests and participants for their participation at the graduation ceremony. The graduating batch 2013-2015 is the second batch from the WASCAL Program at the University of Lomé, since the program’s implementation in Togo in 2012. The new graduates were ten young people from different backgrounds from six West African countries including Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Togo.

On behalf of the graduates, Miss Yomo Mawoulolo, thanked both the Togolese and German government, the officials at the ceremony, the President of the University of Lomé, and all the staff of WASCAL Program for all the efforts and sacrifices made throughout their training.

The ten students successfully graduated with theses in the following topics:

AMOU, Martial 2015. Rural livelihoods and cropping pattern under climate change in the Zio district of Togo, West Africa. University of Lomé. Supervisor Dr. Georges Abbey

ARYEE, Alberta 2015. Indigenous knowledge and resilience building in climate variability and change: comparative analysis of Chereponi in Ghana and Oti prefecture in Togo. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Julia Kloos

DANSOKO, Binta 2015. Environmental change and migration: a cross-villages assessment of human mobility and vegetation dynamic in the Dano watershed, Burkina Faso. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Papa Sow.

DEMBELE, Seydou 2015. Climate variability and rice production in Mali: a case study of Office Riz Segou. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Bino Teme.

GOMEZ, Leroy 2015. Social vulnerability to coastal erosion: empirical assessment of Gunjur village in the Gambia. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Janet Olatundun Adelegan.

GOUBALAN, Elvire 2015. Knowledge transfer between scientific community and policy makers for addressing climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Ghana. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Grace Villamor.

NTAJAL, Joshua 2015. Flood disaster risk mapping in the lower Mono River Basin in Togo: application of geographic information system and remote sensing. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Benjamin L. Lamptey

OKELEYE, Sunday 2015. Impact assessment of flood disaster on livelihoods of farmers in selected farming communities of Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, Nigeria. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Felix Olorunfemi

YAO, Eric 2015. Effect of climate change on the cost of malaria treatment among households in farming communities in the Bole district, Northern Ghana. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Prof. Francis k. Obeng

YOMO, Mawoulolo 2015. Role of local institutions in shaping the response of farming household to climate change and variability: a case study of Bongo district in Ghana. University of Lomé. Supervisor: Dr. Grace Villamor

The ceremony was honored by many high-ranking guests, among them:

Mr. Octave Nicoué K. Broohm, Minister of Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Togo.
Mr. André Johnson, Minister of Environment and Forest resources.
Mr. Christoph Sander, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Professor Messanvi Gbéassor, President of the University of Lomé and member of the WASCAL Governing Board.
Professor Sanda, 1st Vice President of the University of Lomé.
Mr. Ananou Gabin, German Aerospace Center – Project Management Agency (DLR PT)
Madame the Director of Cabinet of the Minister of Higher Education and Research of Togo.
Mr. Tchakou, Accountant of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of Togo.
Representatives (3) of the Embassies of Nigeria, Mali, and Senegal.
Representative (1) of The World Bank.
Director of the academic affairs of the Embassy of the United States of America.
Dr. Laurent Sédogo, Wascal Executive Director.
Pr. Janet O. Adelegan, WASCAL Capacity Building Director.
Dr. Grace Villamor, supervisor of WASCAL students and WASCAL researcher.

Workshop: Climate Information for Adaptation and Policy Development

Organized by the Centre for Continuing Education, the WASCAL Graduate Research Program West African Climate System (GRP-WACS) and the Department of Meteorology & Climate Science of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), the workshop was held from September 14-18, 2015 at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The main target of the workshop was contributing to a better understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change among policy- and decision-makers. The program provided training on, among others, projections, variability and weather extremes, challenges, risks and opportunities related to climate change, adaptation, policy and governance as well as climate change policy design and response.

Professor Jerome Omotosho, Director of GRP-WACS, highlighted in his opening speech that the workshop was to provide adequate information and raise the understanding of climate change among stakeholders and most importantly facilitate discussion on which measures could be taken to put this knowledge into practice.

This is the first of a series of workshops planned in the next 9 months, by the three Departments of GRP-WASC and FUTA, on various aspects of climate change and weather. The next workshop is planned to be organized in collaboration with the WASCAL Master Program Climate Change and Adapted Land Use, Federal University of Technology, Minna and to thus expand the stakeholder reach.
Media Coverage:

FUTA workshop examines climate change causes, consequences, EnviroNews Nigeria, September 16, 2015.

Why we organised climate change information workshop- WASCAL chief, Newswatch Times, September 23, 2015