University of Cape Coast Scholarships, Ghana

University of Cape Coast Scholarships

In support of the Government of Ghana’s (GoG) initiatives on food security, the United States Government (USG) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting a five-year capacity building programme for fisheries and coastal management in Ghana. The project contributes to GoG’s overall fisheries and coastal development programme and USAID’s Feed the Future (FtF) Initiative, the USG led global hunger and food security project designed to enhance economic growth in beneficiary countries. In this context, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFAS) at the University of Cape Coast is presently leading the USAID Capacity Building Support Programme for the Fisheries and Coastal Management sub-component in collaboration with Coastal Resources Centre at the University of Rhode Island, USA.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree 

Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates for the award of five (5) full scholarships to pursue PhD degrees at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the University of Cape Coast in the following academic programmes/areas:
 
Fisheries Science – One (1) Candidate
Aquaculture – One (1) Candidate
Oceanography and Limnology – One (1) Candidate
Integrated Coastal Zone Management – Two (2) Candidates 

The PhD study will cover a period of three (3) years, beginning the 2016/17 academic year. The scholarships cover tuition, monthly stipends, and field research grants as well as other material and technical support. Successful candidates will spend up to 6 months at the University of Rhode Island in the United States as part of their studies.
 
General Requirement: Applicants must meet the requirements for admission into a PhD programme at the University of Cape Coast.

Specific Requirements: In addition, all applicants must satisfy the following specific requirements:
 
1) Must hold a good master’s degree (Grade: A or B+ would be an advantage) from a recognized university in any of the following fields of study:Fisheries Science, Oceanography, Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Coastal Resources Management, Aquaculture, Environmental Science, Environmental Governance, Marine Policy, Conservation Science or Natural Resource Management.
 
2) All candidates must submit:
i. an application letter
ii. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
iii. Motivation letter
iv. Two letters of recommendation 

3) Successful candidates will be required to conduct a research in one of the thematic areas of the USAID/UCC project in either the Western or Central Region of Ghana. Therefore, all applicants MUST in addition to the above (i.e. 1 & 2), submit a 5-page research proposal on one of the following areas: 

i. Fisheries Stock Assessment
Studies will be conducted to assess the status of commercially important marine fish stocks.
 
ii. Studies on Marine Fisheries Governance Issues
Research in this area would involve a survey and review of various social issues in fishing communities as well as existing adaptive management strategies.
 
iii. Research on Fish and Shellfish of Commercial Value
Research on coastal tilapia (black-chinned tilapia), shrimps and mangrove oysters would involve studies on the growth, reproduction, survival of juveniles, and their culture potential.
 
iv. Analysis of Value Chains of Fish Trade
This activity will investigate the different phases of production, processing and marketing of commercial fish species in the country. Factors influencing operations at the various stages in the chain will be investigated.
 
v. Assessment of Biodiversity and Health of Coastal Ecosystems
This work will involve examination of biodiversity of fish, benthic invertebrates, and mangrove communities in lagoons and estuaries to establish the scientific basis for future assessment in view of the numerous anthropogenic threats and the ongoing offshore oil and gas exploration and production. Aquatic environmental factors, occurrence of algal blooms and invasive species will also be investigated.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

https://ucc.edu.gh/notice/call-applications-scholarships