{"id":5799,"date":"2013-04-16T00:55:04","date_gmt":"2013-04-16T00:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/africa-and-science.com\/?p=5799"},"modified":"2013-08-12T08:30:16","modified_gmt":"2013-08-12T08:30:16","slug":"wascal-regional-masters-research-program-climate-change-and-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/africa-and-science.com\/?p=5799","title":{"rendered":"WASCAL Regional MASTER\u2019S RESEARCH PROGRAM CLIMATE CHANGE AND EDUCATION"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Logo-WASCAL<\/a>CALL FOR APPLICATION<\/span>: \u00a0WASCAL Master’s Research Program \u00ab\u00a0Climate Change and Education\u00a0\u00bb at The University of The Gambia. Application Deadline: May 31st, 2013<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) is a partnership between West African countries and the Federal Republic of Germany to address climate change issues, which are some of the most complex, yet relevant issues facing researchers and educators today. Not only is the topic scientifically complex, but there are economic, social and political ramifications as well.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Article 6 of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) urges the development and implementation of educational and public awareness programs on climate change and its effects; it further urges parties to the convention to develop and implement education and training programs. Also, UNFCCC advocates for capacity building on climate change to be a priority in all regions of the world, especially in West Africa, through the facilitation of more national and regional activities to combat climate change adversities.<\/p>\n

The capacity to translate scientific evidence on climate change to viable social policies comes with, not only the understanding of science by experts, but also the capacity to effectively disseminate the science for the understanding of all stakeholders. Consequently, education is an essential element of the global response to climate change. It helps young people understand and address the impact of global warming, encourages changes in their attitudes and behavior and helps them adapt to climate change-related trends.<\/p>\n

WASCAL aims to make climate change education a more central and visible part of the international response to climate change to contribute to the understanding of the impact of global warming today, and increase climate literacy. It plans to do this through the Climate Change and Education Program at The University of The Gambia.
\nIt is imperative, therefore, that students and the public are prepared to understand current scientific policy, and hold ethical discourses on climate change so as to participate as informed citizens in public decision-making for managing and reducing climate risks.<\/p>\n

Climate change is the product of the interaction between humans and socio-ecological settings in which natural and artificial phenomena operate together, thus forming complex systems that can generate calamities that society is forced to cope with and manage. In this regard, the WASCAL International program on Climate Change and Education at The University of The Gambia with its partner institutions, and alongside other WASCAL International Programs, is poised to provide a critical mass of qualified professionals in various disciplines of climate change in West Africa. These professionals will be well equipped to contribute immensely to the prevention and amelioration of adverse climate change consequences.<\/p>\n

1. Learning outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the end of the 2 year program, the graduates of the MRP in Climate Change and Education are expected to:<\/p>\n

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  1. Demonstrate state-of-the-art expertise in their field of specialization;<\/li>\n
  2. Independently formulate and execute research in accordance with academic standards within their field of specialization, thus contributing to the body of knowledge in this field;<\/li>\n
  3. Develop and apply research techniques independently;<\/li>\n
  4. Convert knowledge of complex physical and biological processes into useful modeling concepts and apply these to real world situations;<\/li>\n
  5. Recognize, understand and apply new concepts as they emerge in the various related fields;<\/li>\n
  6. Translate scientific knowledge in their field of specialization into policy recommendations;<\/li>\n
  7. Show evidence of scholarship by presenting an M.Sc. thesis and also publishing at least one (1) article from the research in a reputable journal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    2. Student Eligibility<\/h3>\n

    The entry requirements to the M.Sc. program in Climate Change and Education are as follows:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Applicants must be citizens of one of the following countries participating in WASCAL: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d\u2019Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo;<\/li>\n
    2. Five O\u2019 Level\/WASSCE\/NECO credit passes in Mathematics, English, and any four relevant subjects or its equivalent in Francophone countries;<\/li>\n
    3. First Degree (B.Tech. or B.Sc.) with a minimum of 2nd Class Upper Degree (Mention Assez Bien) from the University of The Gambia (UTG) or any other Institution recognized by UTG; in any discipline related to the subject.<\/li>\n
    4. Candidates must provide 3 referees, one of whom must be his\/her Bachelor\u2019s Degree Project Supervisor or Lecturer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u00a0<\/em>Female candidates are encouraged to apply.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Candidates should submit:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. a letter of motivation,<\/li>\n
      2. all original transcripts and supplements of diploma (where applicable),<\/li>\n
      3. a Curriculum vitae,<\/li>\n
      4. the completed application form designated for the Program.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Once a student is given admission by the Advisory Board of the Master\u2019s Program in Climate Change and Education, the student will then be enrolled at the University of The Gambia to begin studies.<\/p>\n

        3. Maximum Intake<\/h3>\n

        The program gives priority to ten (10) selected applicants with the best results, one each, from the participating countries and these will be referred to as WASCAL Scholars. WASCAL Scholars will be provided with full scholarship from the Federal Government of Germany. An additional ten (10) applicants with excellent results may also be selected provided they have evidence of sponsorship and have the ability to complete the program within a period of 2 years.<\/p>\n

        4. Language Requirements<\/h3>\n

        The program will be conducted in English. The following are the language requirements:<\/p>\n

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        1. West African School Certificate (WASCE) credit in English or its equivalent.<\/li>\n
        2. Candidates from Francophone countries must have an intermediate level of English. In general, a computer-based TOEFL score of 213 (or the equivalent) will satisfy requirement for their entry into the graduate research programs. Applicants with limited English skills are encouraged to use the time between application submission and in-person interview, to attend English training classes at their own expense.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Please note that a 3 month English Language proficiency course will also be provided to the selected francophone students at the University of Cape Coast, in Ghana, to help meet entry requirements.<\/p>\n

          5. Scholarship and Research Support<\/h3>\n

          The scholarship and research support will normally be provided based on the criteria below:<\/p>\n