Call for application for admission and german academic exchange service (DAAD) scholarcships for an integrated Master program for sustainable transformation of rural area (2 years) – 2018/2019

Through the present call, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey is launching the first batch of its four semesters, two years Master Program for Sustainable Transformation of Rural Area for the academic year 2018-2019. The program provides full scholarship to successful candidates from West African countries. Potential candidates are invited to submit an application for selection.

Introduction

The West African Center for Sustainable Rural Transformation hosted by the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey (Niger) and its partners, ZEF-Bonn University (Germany), University of Development Studies (Ghana) and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of University of Ghana (Ghana) under the financial support of the German Ministry of Cooperation (BMZ) purpose to contribute in the resolution of West Africa rural underdevelopment issue by addressing technological, socioeconomic, socio-political, administrative and cultural aspects of sustainable rural transformation, in a concerted manner. The aim of this approach is to develop interdisciplinary research and teaching programs that will produce the required knowledge, applicable technological solutions (renewable energies, agricultural and water management), and locally adapted business models and administrative approaches. The ability to bring partners from Niger and Ghana – but in the long run also other West African countries – on board will strengthen the center. Abdou Moumouni University and its partners combined advanced experiences in the realm of renewable energy generation, agricultural water management, innovative approaches in agricultural commercialization and locally adapted decentralized development planning can allow to purpose strong sustainable rural transformation strategies.

The interdisciplinary and transnational approach of the program, above good experiences share, will bring innovative and adapted solutions in the West-Africa’s sustainable rural transformation area. In order to promote initial and continuing training, basic and applied scientific research as well as dissemination of obtained results, the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FAST) of University Abdou Moumouni in collaboration with its African and German partner universities purpose an integrated Master Program in Rural transformation (IMP-SRT).

Objectives

The aim of this master program is to prepare a new generation of skilled researchers able to propose appropriate and integrated solutions in rural development. The main objective is to train west-African students to become experts in integrated sustainable rural development by spotlighting on technology interventions combined with strategy and policy focusing on socio-economic and institutional aspects.

Therefore, the IMP-SRT program will engage mainly in capacity building and research activities to:

• develop, promote and manage new and existing locally-adapted sustainable technologies in the fields of renewable energy and agricultural water resources;
• make available safe drinking water and promote sanitation;
• develop, promote and manage innovative models in agricultural production, agribusiness and rural marketing;
• develop and promote approaches for locally adapted development planning and promote the capacities of future development planners and managers;
• disseminate locally adapted sustainable technologies, business models as well as development approaches that have been interdisciplinary proven in a wider West African context.

To fulfill its goal the Integrated Master Program in Sustainable Rural Transformation (IMP-SRT) will be divided into the following two (2) tracks:

• Engineering Track to promote technology intervention in rural area;
• Policy Track to deal with the socio-economic and institutional aspects.

Eligibility

The Master Research program for Sustainable Transformation of Rural Area is opened to excellent students with a bachelor degree or equivalent in one of the disciplines related to Rural Development (Agronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Economy, Geography, , Geology, Law, Sociology, Physics, Statistics…).

Requirement for the candidates to the Program:

• be a citizen of a west African country;
• provide a birth certificate or other equivalent document;
• have a certificate of nationality;
• provide a curriculum vitae;
• submit a letter of motivation;
• provide transcripts and copies of diploma;
• submit a detailed program of the training received;
• provide two references letters;
• submit a letter of authorization from the employer (for people in employment).

Minimum intake

The Program will admit and support a minimum of 10 students. Private application can be studied for additional places.

Language requirement

The Integrated Master Program in Sustainable Rural Transformation is a structured Master with both English and French as languages of instruction. Therefore the following are the language requirements:

• credit passes in English/French language at O/L West African School Certificate Examinations or at baccalaureate.
• pass proficiency test in English language/French e.g. a computer-based TOEFL score of 213 (or the equivalent) is required for entry into graduate research programs.

English/french language courses will be offered by the Program WACS-RT to selected Francophone/Anglophone students to help them meet entry requirement.

The Language Course is geared towards fostering future professional communication, collaboration and friendships between the French and English-speaking students.

Course structure

The method of teaching and transfer of information to students will be in the form of lecture, seminars, field work and tutorials. The core courses are spread over three (3) semesters. Each course will be taken in modules that will last between two weeks and a month given that the participating faculty will be drawn from across Niger and other Universities and institutions associated to the WACS-RT Program.

Seminar

In order to widen the scope of knowledge of these students, faculty external experts would be invited to make presentations on topical related to sustainable Rural transformation, among others, which not just the students would benefit from, but the University community as a whole. In addition, students will make presentation of reports/papers from Directed Individual Study, Community Based Project or field work and the preliminary results of their final research project and be exposed to critique by a panel of faculty and even other students.

Research plan preparation

The objective of this aspect of the course is to develop the ability of students to conduct independent research. The students are expected to practice the application of the theories and practical skills acquired during course to: (a) find a feasible research topic on rural transformation problem and design a research plan; (b) determine research methodology to be used; (c) conduct library search as required to provide literature on problem; (d) apply logical and appropriate research methodologies; (e) collect or compile the appropriate data; (f) perform individual research; (g) produce a well edited report with additional knowledge derived from his/her research; (h) present, explain and evaluate findings in a logical, coherent manner to a knowledgeable audience; and if possible (i) Prepare a paper co-authored with the supervisor of the project for presentation in a conference or publication in a journal.

Field experience is expected to be provided through the Community Based Projects. It would expose the students to real issues on rural development challenges experienced by various communities, encourage collaborative research and provide an opportunity to compare various problems in different localities. It is a non-scoring compulsory course.

S1 and S2 semesters are common to both tracks and aim to provide learners with basic knowledge of the issues of engineering and rural development policies. The remaining semesters (S3 and S4) are dedicated respectively to specialization courses and field works.

Students will undertake training based on their area of specialization. The field work can be done in the Master Lead University or other partner institutions depending on expertise (supervisor), availability of equipment and accessibility to relevant data.

Students are expected before to prepare and present research proposal that will indicate clearly how they are going to carry out all aspect of their research. The students will be guided by their supervisors. Student proposal will be presented to, and assessed by the faculty for viability through a seminar. The plan should be completed validated before the end of the third semester of study by its principal advisor and the Master Advisory committee Representative.

Deadline for application: Mays 31, 2018

Application procedure and contact

For more information please contact « le service de la Scolarité de la Faculté des Sciences et Techniques »

Hard copies for Niger candidates can be deposited at Scolarité Faculté des Sciences et Techniques