The need to understand climate change as well as
climate variability and their impacts on water resources cannot be
overemphasized in West Africa. The region has arid, semi-arid and
tropical climates and the impacts of climate change and climate
variability on water resources vary in time, space, and intensity.
Providing adequate water for people, for food production, and for
sanitation are some of the challenges governments are facing. Economic
growth, efforts to reduce poverty and enhance social change drive
demands for water and the respective infrastructures to support food
productions, generate energy and provide goods and services. Such
developments have a significant impact on water resources and managing
these is increasingly complex.
Management of Water Resources for Sustainable Economic and Social Development
Climate extremes have led to various catastrophes,
such as floods, droughts, and hydro-energy shortcuts, which negatively
impact human well-being, economic development and the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mismanagement of water resources
leads to underuse of economic potential and to an inability to
adequately deal with climate risks and hydrological variability. The
region’s weak capacity to buffer and manage the effects of varying water
availability generates uncertainties and risks for economic activities.
Sustainable economic and social development at national and regional
levels require that hydrological forecasting systems for communities at
risk are continuously developed, which in turn demands an optimal
combination of data, forecasting tools and well trained specialists.
Objectives
- Increase capacity building for qualified water resource scientists
- Strengthen e-science infrastructures for water education and training
- Contribute to filling thegaps between climate and water research findings and operational applications
- Promote awareness about the value of climate and water information
Curriculum
The curriculum of the Doctoral Programme Climate Change and Water Resources
combines basic courses including applied mathematics and statistics,
applied physics, meteorology and climatology and specialized courses in
Hydrology.
Course work: It is a three-year structured
programme consisting of 6 months of (basic & specialized) courses
followed by 12 to 18 months of research work leading to a dissertation
and defense. Basic Courses (modules I & II) include Applied
Mathematics and Statistics, Applied Physics, Meteorology and
Climatology.
Specialized courses (modules III to VI) include
Hydrology, Coupled climate systems related to land-use, hydrology,
agriculture and policy development and integrated water resources
management (IWRM), climate/hydrological modeling, Climate Change impact,
adaptation, and mitigation.
Research: The research
component includes proposal preparation and presentation in the first
six (6) months of study, field work based on their area of
specialisation and visits to Germany for specialized equipment and
facilities training. The field work can be done at the lead university
or at other WASCAL institutions depending on expertise (supervisor),
equipment and accessibility to relevant data.
Dissertation and defense: Students should
submit a dissertation on their research and publish at least one
article in a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The defense of the
dissertation is done at
Université d’Abomey-Calavi before a graduate
committee that includes one professor from the German partner
university and related professors from the other network universities.
University Abomey-Calavi of Benin
The University of Abomey-Calavi of Benin hosts the Doctoral Programme in the Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FAST). All senior staff in the faculty are well qualified and have good working relations at international level. Water-related education is also located within three other faculties: (1) Faculty of Agronomical Sciences (FSA) that offers degrees (BSc, MSc and doctoral) on land use and water management, irrigation techniques, analysis of small reservoirs and virtual water studies; (2) Abomey-Calavi Polytechnical School (EPAC) – Civil Engineering Department that offers degrees (BSc and MSc) in water education; (3) Faculty of Literature, Arts and Human Sciences (FLASH) – Department of Geography that offers degrees in climatology, water and society. These faculties are closely interlinked within a common coordinated training programme called PROfEAU (Programme de Formation en Eau) sponsored by Dutch cooperation.
Contact
Secrétariat/Laboratoire d’Hydrologie
Faculté des Sciences Techniques (FAST)
Université d’Abomey-Calavi
BP 526 Cotonou
Tél: +229 90942033
Email: aafouda@yahoo.fr