CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY GRADUANDS OF WASCAL TASKED

The Executive Director of WASCAL, Dr. Moumini Savadogo has charged graduands of WASCAL’s Masters Programme at the Universite Abdou Moumouni de Niamey to develop a resilient spirit of entrepreneurship, think outside the box and never wait for an employer before moving into action.

He also asked them not to be dissuaded into deserting their certificates on their shelves to take on a different profession.

He made this remark in a speech read on his behalf at the graduation ceremony of the second batch of Masters students in Climate Change and Energy from theUniversité Abdou Moumouni De Niamey, Niger

Dr Savadogo further challenged them to live up to expectation and reciprocate the efforts of German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

“ The whole of West Africa is looking up to you to provide them with empirical solutions that can help mitigate or adapt to the rising negative effects of climate change that has unbridled this sub-Region. One of the best ways we can reciprocate the efforts of BMBF  is to maximize the opportunities at your disposal to make positive impact in the fight against climate change in West Africa.” He said.

The Director of Climate Change and Energy programme, Dr. Rabani Adamou also congratulated the graduands and admonished them to go out there and surmount the challenges with head high and confidence, in order to make WASCAL proud.

The graduands presented findings and results of their various projects works to the entire invited guests at the event, before they were presented with their certificates. In all ten(10) students from various countries within West Africa graduated.The event was graced by the Nigerien Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Niger, The vice chancellor of the University of Abdou Moumini and other university dignitaries.

West Africa’s high vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by endemic poverty, economic and institutional weakness, and limited access to infrastructure, technology and energy. The main objective of The MRP Climate Change And Energy programme is, therefore to train a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals capable of proposing adapted solutions to face the climate change and energy crisis.

The curriculum focuses on topics such as climate change and global warming, knowledge of the impacts of climate change, vulnerability of natural systems and the built environment, and methods for adaptation as well as energy production, delivery, and consumption for both, traditional systems and sustainable energy alternatives with special emphasis on energy efficiency, energy management and local available renewable energy.

WASCAL is dedicated to becoming one of Africa’s leading institutions in the provision of climate services, including capacity building, in and for West Africa.