PhD in Climate Change and Land Use WASCAL (DRP-CCLU) at Kwame Nkrumah University, Ghana

WASCAL Doctoral Research Programme in Climate Change and Land Use (DRP-CCLU) is pleased to announce that up to 11 fully-funded (tuition, stipend, research and travel grants) scholarships are available for applicants from the following eleven (11) West African Countries to study for PhD in Climate Change and Land Use at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Application Deadline: 28th February 2018

Eligible Countries: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Senegal, The Gambia and Togo.

To Be Taken At (Country): Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

About the Award: The WASCAL Doctoral Research Programme is a German-government sponsored PhD programme aimed at providing state-of-the-art training for scientists and professionals in Climate Change and Land Use. The programme is strongly multidisciplinary and jointly organised by twelve institutions from twelve countries (i.e. the eleven West African Countries listed above and Germany). Participants will acquire knowledge on the causes of climate change, the implications of climate change on land use for the West African sub-region, and the policy and management practices that may be put in place to mitigate and adapt to the impact of the changing climate on land use.

The variation in climate conditions compounded by poor land management practices are threats to development of the region. The region, which is generally poor, is yet to effectively develop geographic information system and remote sensing technologies for land administration. These, when developed are expected to make available useful data and information for effective land use management.

The West African sub-region is faced with the following challenges, which may hinder the bid towards effective land use management:

1. Limited opportunities for land use and geo-scientists to improve their capacity at the graduate level.
2. Lack of electronic science infrastructure for land use education and training.
3. Gaps between climate and land use research findings and implementation.
4. Lack of awareness about the value of climate and land use information among decision makers.

Considering the identified knowledge and capacity gaps, and the unsustainable management of land in the sub-region accompanied by climate change, the sub-region risks not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive understanding of the changing climate of the region and its impact on land use. This calls for adequately trained human resources in land use and related geo-sciences for sustainable development and use of land for the present and future generations.

Type: PhD, Research

Eligibility: In conformity with the entry requirement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate will have a minimum of:

1. Second Class (Upper Division) in their first degree and a good Masters degree in Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Engineering option), Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydrology option), Geomatic Engineering, Natural Resources (Silviculture and Forestry, and Watershed management), Mathematics, Geography, Land Economy, Atmospheric Physics, Climatology, and other relevant disciplines, with an average of at least 60%. Submit academic transcripts as evidence.

English Proficiency indicated below:

1. Must have first or second degree with English language as the medium of instruction, OR
2. Must have an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or IELTS) with above average score.
3. Otherwise the candidate will have to undertake a three-month pre-master’s intensive English course at KNUST.
4. Full time availability from April 30, 2018 for a period of forty-three months.
5. Demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem solving potentials.
6. Experience with modelling and GIS would be an advantage but not a prerequisite.
7. Must have the ability to travel to Germany for a period of 3 to 6 months

Selected PhD Candidate will be required to strictly adhere to the following:

1. Attend all classes for the required modules in the course work phase and pass all examinations.
2. Develop a comprehensive research proposal with detailed literature review and methodology.
3. Must pass a comprehensive exam after the first year as a requirement of the KNUST School of Graduate Studies.
4. You will be required to provide timely feedbacks and submit reports and assignments on schedule.
5. The international nature of the programme will demand good working relations among people of different cultures, so participants must show maturity in working in groups.
6. Publish at least 2 papers from his/her research findings in a reputable international peer-reviewed journal before qualifying to graduate.

The selected candidate will be enrolled in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, and will attend all lectures at Kumasi but will have the opportunity to visit any of the partner institutions and the WASCAL Competency Centre for research and discussions when necessary.

Number of Awards: Up to 11 (The Programme has a maximum of 20 places for the year 2018, with eleven available scholarships. All applicants are encouraged to indicate on the fee-paying forms their willingness or otherwise to be enrolled as self-financing students with alternative means of scholarship, in case they don’t qualify for scholarship.)

Value of Award: Fully-funded (tuition, stipend, research and travel grants)

Duration of Program: 

How to Apply: Candidates may apply directly to the DRP CCLU by submitting all information requested via email to the Secretary at wascalknust@gmail.com, wascal.cclu@knust.edu.gh and copy to intern.w@wascal.org, weto.s@wascal.org before the deadline February 28, 2018. For further information you may call +233 322062529 during office hours (08:00hrs –to 17:00hrs GMT.

Completing Application Form

Access the KNUST application form via

Ghanaian Applicants: Are to complete the pdf application forms.

Foreign Applicants: Click Here

2. All Applicants must submit two completed referee’s form (attached pdf )
3. Carefully read the IMPORTANT NOTES on the Application Form
4. Complete application form and add scanned recent passport-size picture
5. Submit the signed application form and other information to email addresses above.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use” (WASCAL)

Important Notes: KNUST in collaboration with the DRP CCLU Board will short list candidates and select one candidate for each country. There will be a selection interview in/or near Kumasi or via telephone. The date of the interview will be communicated after shortlisting. The selection interview is mandatory to support the final selection of candidates.  

Successful candidates will then submit hard copy of the application package.