Overview

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Programme supports and facilitates academic education amongst West African universities in association with German counterpart institutions. The activities focus on the training of doctoral and Master students.

The Graduate Studies Programme (GSPs) consists of ten (10) Doctoral and two (2) Master’s programmes in Climate Change, and four (4) International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen (IMP-EGH). In all, WASCAL runs ten (10) Doctoral and six (6) Master programmes.

Host University

Each of the GSPs’ ten (10) Doctoral programmes and six (6) Master’s programmes is autonomous and based at one lead university selected in a consultative process among the candidates’ countries. The GSPs pool the scientific and educational strength of faculties in the West African region and thereby facilitate high quality research and education.

The IMP-EGH is innovative for the West African region, and it is designed to prepare the next generation to address the energy challenges of adaptation and resilience to Climate Change in West Africa. The programme’s interdisciplinary approach will allow for a better understanding of present-day energy infrastructures in West Africa, their strengths and weaknesses, energy policies, practices in a changing climate context and the search for sustainable solutions.  A significant part of the WASCAL effort is the strengthening of this trans-national communication and capacity building.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Added value is gained by cross-linking experts and university institutes between the sixteen (16) identified priority fields, thus enabling an interdisciplinary working approach. This involves teaching, student supervision, and exchange of cross-border experiences.

German Partner Universities

The German partner universities collaborate with the Doctoral and Master’s Programmes through curriculum development, visiting professorships and co-supervision of graduate students. In addition, West African students and faculty members are given the opportunity to conduct research at German universities or to visit counterpart research institutions.

Language Requirements

Language of all the programmes is English, but applicants are not rejected should they only have a limited command of the English language. Language training programmes for graduate students are provided for both English and French.

Resources and Facilities

The WASCAL Competence Centre is a common resource for all the WASCAL students, and faculties that will have access to all facilities. Their research is integrated in the overall WASCAL agenda. The overall programme is coordinated by the Capacity Building Department located at WASCAL Headquarters in Accra.