After conducting a successful internal evaluation of the SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM) from 4 to 8 November 2024, SASSCAL has decided to grant its 13 inaugural SGSP-IWRM cohorts, one more year to conclude their PHD studies.
This extension was was endorsed by the programme’s main funder, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with an aim to support the candidates in successfully completing their research.
The SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management is part of SASSCAL’s effort in building regional thematic Centres of Excellence, and the first Centre of Excellence in Water Management is hosted in Namibia. The programme started in 2022 and was to run until 2024. Each SASSCAL’s member state hosts a Centre of Excellence. The other Centres of Excellence are Food Security, Agriculture and Land Management in Angola, Biodiversity and Human Health in Botswana, Data & Services in South Africa and Forestry and Woodlands in Zambia.
Prof. Kouévi Gabin Ananou, Head of the Coordination Team for Climate Competence Centres for SASSCAL and WASCAL at Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) and a member of the Internal Evaluation Committee said the study programme was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic hence the extension to 2025. This is to allow all the students to finalise their studies.
He pointed out the importance of continued support for students nearing completion, particularly those waiting to finish in March 2025, while others are expected to complete their studies later this year.
The SGSP-IWRM Doctoral programme, hosted at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) with scientific support from the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC) at the German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) in Koblenz, is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through a four-year €3.5 million grant agreement.
SASSCAL Interim Executive Director, Dr Budzanai Tacheba expressed satisfaction with the overall implementation and achievement of the programme. Due to the success of the programme, SASSCAL through its funder BMBF, is preparing to implement a second cohort in 2026. In this regard, Dr Tacheba further announced that SASSCAL will soon launch another Graduate Studies Programme in Agriculture and Food Security, in Angola.
Meanwhile, Dr. Layla Hashweh from the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change, who participated in the evaluation said the greatest success was the creation of the functioning innovative and excellent regional collaborative education and research programme at a Ph.D. level.
“I am proud to say that the programme has demonstrated its ability to overcome challenges through adaptability, strategic planning, and dedication to student success and greater scientific and academic contribution both to Namibia, SASSCAL member states, and globally”.
“One of the key highlights of the SGSP-IWRM is also the mobility programme in Germany, which I got to coordinate “ she added.
The students were hosted at German institutes and universities for three months, where they got to work closely with their German supervisor in diverse settings.
This enabled the students to widen their career development through quality-oriented knowledge exchange, training opportunities, research and networking.
Dr. Hashweh added that the mobility programme enabled cultural exchange amongst the students and enhanced their exposure.
Currently, 10 out of the thirteen students have completed their mobility visits to Germany, and one is currently in Germany, after going through preparation lectures on cultural adaptation and practical guidance, which resulted in a fulfilling academic and cultural experience.
SASSCAL Senior Professional Officer for Human Capacity Development, Mr Kevin Stephanus said “the SGSP – IWRM programme implementation is going very well, with most milestones met, despite the delay in the implementation plan caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Fortunately, BMBF has considered extending the funding period for one more year at no cost, allowing students to defend their theses and graduate by the end of 2025”.
The evaluation committee comprised key figures in water resources and climate change research, including Prof. Kouévi Gabin Ananou, Dr. Layla Hashweh (ICWRGC), Dr. Joel Botai, Dr. Budzanani Tacheba, Prof. Julien Adounkpé (WASCAL-UAC), Dr. Kawawa Banda (SASSCAL Academic and Scientific Advisory Committee for SGSP), Dr. Vasco Chiteculo (SASSCAL Angolan Node), Mr. Kevin Stephanus (SASSCAL Senior Professional Officer for Human Capacity Development) and Ms. Bianca Mutale (Executive Assistant to the SASSCAL Executive Director).
