WASCAL launches new scholarship scheme on energy and green hydrogen for ECOWAS students

The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), a West African international Climate Change Institution has launched a new scholarship scheme for students from all ECOWAS states who want to pursue International Master’s Degree in Energy and Green Hydrogen Technology.

The 24-months’ programme, to be run in partnership with Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Germany, with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany (BMBF) seeks to prepare and train a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals capable of proposing adapted solutions to the ongoing energy crisis in West Africa.

The programme will also provide training on state-of-the-art tools used in renewable energy, green hydrogen technology and policy with the view of training adequate human resources to boost the sector of energy technology and guide policy formulation across West Africa with special focus on green hydrogen technology.

The scholarship package includes full funding, roundtrip tickets and accommodation, allowances, and travel to selected West African countries as well as to Germany.

The programme  consists of four specializations  and would be run in  lead universities in Togo, where University of Lomé will run Bioenergy/biofuels and Green Hydrogen Technology; University of Felix Houphouet Boigny, Ivory Coast will host Green Hydrogen Production and Technology/Georesources (Wind/Water) and Hydrogen Technology; University of Abdou Moumouni, Niger will hostPhotovoltaic and System Analysis for Green Hydrogen Technologies, and University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, will host Economics/policies/Infrastructures and Green Hydrogen Technology.

The novel programme is designed for students with background in Physics, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Statistics, or related areas.

In a release by Director of Capacity Building Department of WASCAL, Professor Daouda Kone, he spoke highly of the scholarship and how it contributes to preparing West African future leaders to win the green energy campaign and climate change battle.

“It is expected that employment opportunities after this training is possible in national and international government agencies, research institutions, extractive industries and energy producers and distribution companies, power-intensive industries, transportation companies, mining industries, and equipment engineering. Graduates with high research capacities will also be able to integrate a relevant PhD programme” He said.

Mrs. Kerstin Annassi from the Project Management Agency that is managing the available funding on behalf of BMBF confirmed:

“We are very fortunate to have such strong and experienced partners in West Africa and Germany. WASCAL’s expertise and the combined knowledge of Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen university will guarantee a successful programme.”

“Even after their graduation, we will support all students on their way ahead by providing further academic possibilities or enable easy access to job opportunities.” She added.

Deadline for application is 30^th April 2021, and forms can be accessed on the WASCAL official website.