WACWISA Masters and PhD Scholarships 2020/2021 at University for Development Studies

Applications are open for interested and suitably qualified candidates for WACWISA Masters and PhD Scholarships Award 2020/2021 at the University for Development Studies (UDS).

The WACWISA Scholarship Award Scheme

The West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) at the University for Development Studies, Ghana is accepting applications for Master’s and PhD programmes under the World Bank African Centre’s of Excellence Impact (ACE Impact) Project for aspiring African Engineers to work in an environment that supports high caliber research, promotes the development of engineering skills, leadership qualities, and networking with experienced engineers across the world.

WACWISA supports a wide range of research activities and, in conjunction with its international partners, provides a rigorous Master’s and PhD training programmes in the field of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering.

The Scholarship Award Scheme (SAS) is provided by the Government of Ghana (GoG) and the World Bank (WB) to support promising African students to pursue Masters (MSc/MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study programmes in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering andtoconduct related research in the West African sub-region in particular and the Africa Region at large. Enrolled students will be supported to develop international experience in one or more of the WACWISA’s international partners’laboratories and field stations. The need for highly skilled trained professionals is very paramount, given the issues of water scarcity and the development of functional and efficient irrigation infrastructure at the Africa regional level, needed for the intensification of agriculture, increased productivity and food security.

WACWISA Scholarships Eligibility

Applicants should:

• Meet the standard University for Development Studies Admission requirement for both local and international students.
• Apply for the Masters/Doctor of Philosophy programme in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at the University for Development Studies.
• Submit an official/certified academic transcript from the previous University of study and a certified copy of academic certificates,with official English translation provided where necessary
• For the Masters programme, have a Bachelor’s degree (honours) or equivalent with at least a Second-Class Upper Division in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation and Management, Horticulture, Agronomy, Hydrology and Watershed Management and Engineering, Agricultural Technology, Soil Science or related fields.
• Have a minimum qualification: Research-based Masters degreeor equivalent in related field (Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation and Management, Horticulture, Agronomy, Hydrology and Watershed Management and Engineering, Agricultural Technology, Soil Science) if applying for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Practical field training/experience in irrigation and drainage related activities is an advantage.
• Masters applicants must submit a three (3) page and PhD five (5) page maximum research proposal which shall contain a research topic, background, problem statement and justification, objectives, materials and methods and expected results.
• Applicants shall submit a two (2) page statement of motivation outlining their fitness for the study programme and benefit of the training to their home country and Africa in general.
• All applicants to the Masters or PhD programmes must submit two (2) academic letters of reference and one (1) professional letter of reference.
• Provide a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) – maximum two (2) pages
• All applicants shall be interviewed.
• Applicants must be less than 35 years for the Masters programme and less than 40 years for PhD
• Be nationals of and resident in Africa.
• Provide a copy of Identity Card (ID) or Bio-data page of National Passport

Note: Female candidates in the West-Africa sub-region are particularly encouraged to apply.

Language Requirement

The program training language is solely in English. Francophone candidates with proven evidence of competence in English are encouraged to apply.

However, the program will provide ten (10) weeks certificate language competency training (English and French)to selected candidates prior to the start of the academic year.

Value of Scholarship

The selection of beneficiaries of the Scholarship Award Scheme (SAS) shall be subject to the maintenance of a high-grade academic performance during the coursework, successfully development and defence of research proposal during the first 6 to 12 months of the programme and high-level performance of progress of students.

The scholarship is tenable at the University for Development Studies, School of Engineering and shall cover the following:

• Tuition, Research and Learning Costs

The scholarship will cover the official University fees for Masters students (24 months) and PhD students (36 months) at the University for Development Studies, School of Engineering. This will include: tuition, registration, examination, matriculation, Student Identity Card, ICT and library. These will be payable to the University for Development Studies.

• Monthly Stipend

The scholarship includes a monthly stipend to cover accommodation, living expenses, health insurance and other personal incidentals.

• Research Costs

This research cost will cover transport, field data collection, software, and other student project related costs.

• International Placement/Mobility Costs

Students may be supported and placed in international laboratories of partner institutions for the conduct of research where need be and to expose them to the international setting to gain international experience. This will cover travel cost in a return economy class ticket and living expenses for a period of between three (3) to six (6) months.

Program Duration

The program duration is 18 months for MSc, 24 months for MPhil and 36 months for PhD

How to Apply for WACWISA Masters and PhD Scholarships

National Students (Ghanaian) and Regional Students (Non-Ghanaian) should submit full complement of documentation to wacwisa@uds.edu.ghand copy director_wacwisa@uds.edu.gh with a subject line “WACWISA Masters and PhD scholarships”

Applicants must simultaneously submit applications for admission into the relevant programme at University for Development Studies, Tamale – Ghana available at www.uds.edu.gh

For further information, please contact the following:

 Prof. Shaibu Abdul-Ganiyu

West African Center for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture

University for Development Studies

Tamale, Ghana.

Email: sganiyu@uds.edu.gh

Mr. Benard Alando

West African Center for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture

University for Development Studies

Tamale, Ghana.

Email: alanben@uds.edu.gh