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 and Environmental Management and Sustainability to conduct 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 trained skilled professionals is paramount given the issues of water scarcity and the need for the development of functional and efficient irrigation infrastructure in Africa. This is towards the ultimate goal for the intensification of agriculture, increased productivity and food security.
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.
University for Development Studies Information
Established in 1992, University for Development Studies is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Tamale (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Northern Region. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the National Accreditation Board, Ghana (National Accreditation Board, Ghana), University for Development Studies (UDS) is a coeducational higher education institution. University for Development Studies (UDS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details.
Eligibility Criteria
WACWISA aplicants 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, candidates must have the following qualifications: MPhil Irrigation and Drainage Engineering – 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.
- MSc/MPhil Environmental Management and Sustainability – A Bachelor’s degree (honours) or equivalent with at least a Second-Class Upper Division in Natural Resources Science and Management, Biology, Agriculture, Development Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies/Science or related fields.
- For the PhD programme, candidates must have a minimum qualification: PhD Irrigation and Drainage Engineering – Research-based Masters degree or 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).
- PhD Environmental Management and Sustainability – Research-based Masters degree or equivalent in related field in Natural Resources Science and Management, Biology, Agriculture, Development Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies/Science.
- Practical field training/experience in irrigation and drainage related activities is an advantage.
- 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.
Offered Benefits
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.
The scholarship includes a monthly stipend to cover accommodation, living expenses, health insurance and other personal incidentals.
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.
Application Process
Applicants should submit full complement of documentation to and copy with a subject line “WACWISA Masters and PhD scholarships”
All applicants must also submit applications for admission into the relevant programme at the University for Development Studies, Tamale – Ghana available at www.uds.edu.gh
Required Documents:
- Two (2) page statement of motivation outlining theirfitness forthe study programme and benefit of the training to theirhome country and Africa in general.
- Two (2) academic letters of reference andone (1) professional letter of reference.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) – maximum two (2) pages
- Identity Card (ID) or Bio-data page of National Passport
- Masters applicants must submit a three (3) page and PhD five (5) page maximum research proposalwhichshall contain a research topic, background, problem statement and justification, objectives, materials and methods and expected results.
Established in 1992, University for Development Studies is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Tamale (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Northern Region. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the National Accreditation Board, Ghana (National Accreditation Board, Ghana), University for Development Studies (UDS) is a coeducational higher education institution. University for Development Studies (UDS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details.