Background
The Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) established under the World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) for Development Impact Project and hosted by the Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, invites suitably qualified national, regional and international applicants into its MPhil and PhD degree programmes.

The overarching goal of ACECoR is to support technical capacity development of young African professionals to address issues of coastal degradation, as well as promote the sustainable utilization and management of marine and coastal assets within the sub-region.

ACECoR will carry out education and research programs in collaboration with academic institutions and industries at the national, regional and international levels to ensure a multi- and interdisciplinary approach to addressing coastal degradation across the sub-region. The specific objectives of ACECoR are to:

Enhance capabilities of young African scholars in the thematic areas of Coastal Geomorphology and Engineering, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Disaster Risk Management and Migration, Ecosystems and Biodiversity Science and Blue Economy, Governance and Social resilience.
Provide demand-driven applied research data and innovation for relevant industries and sectors in above themes.
Develop regional data support systems on marine and coastal issues.
Create multi-sectoral networks for marine and coastal for integrated approach to resolving coastal degradation in West Africa.
Provide career development for faculty through international exchange programme and in-service training.

Programme Descriptions
MPhil
The ACECoR MPhil programmes are designed as intensive modular courses with a research component. Students admitted to the programmes spend a 12-month period of learning on course modules and another 12 months on research.

PhD
The ACECoR PhD programmes are designed as 36-month intensive full-time research programmes. Students in the programme spend 24 months on field research and data collection and 12 months for organising and writing their thesis, including attending relevant seminars and conferences to gain critical knowledge and/or present preliminary research results.

Areas of Research
MPhil | PhD Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Student will conduct research in one of the following areas:

Forestry Engineering
Disaster Risk Management and Migration
Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning
Marine Conservation and Protected Areas
Blue Economy
Governance and Social Resilience
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
MPhil | PhD Oceanography and Limnology
Student will conduct research in one of the following areas:

Marine Meteorology
Physical Processes and Geomorphology
Brackish Water Ecosystems
Marine Biodiversity
Fresh Water Ecosystems
Marine and Coastal Engineering
MPhil | PhD Fisheries Science
Student will conduct research in one of the following areas:

Fish Genetics
Fisheries Stock Assessment and Modelling
Mariculture
Fisheries Management
Fish Taxonomy
Gear Technology
Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing
Eligibility
The ACECoR scholarships are available to all African nationals who meet admission requirements of the University of Cape Coast. Priority will be given to female applicants as well as applicants from West and Central African countries.

Admission Requirements
MPhil
The minimum admission requirement for the MPhil programmes is a first degree (Second Class Lower Division or equivalent) in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline, from a recognised university. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate strong interest in research, development and innovation in science and technology, as well as the ability to work optimally and independently in an international multidisciplinary environment.

All candidates must submit the following (indicating the preferred area of specialisation):

Completed Scholarship Application form
Certified true copy of academic certificates and transcripts
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Motivation
Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from a former lecturer/supervisor)
A 2-3 page research proposal in the preferred area of specialisation
PhD
The minimum admission requirement for the PhD programmes is a two- year master’s degree with research in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline or equivalent qualification from a recognised university. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate strong interest in research, development and innovation in science and technology, as well as the ability to work optimally and independently in an international multidisciplinary environment.

All candidates must submit the following (indicating the preferred area of specialisation):

Completed scholarship application form
Certified true copy of academic certificates and transcripts
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Motivation
Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from a former lecturer/supervisor)
A 3-5 page research proposal in the preferred area of specialisation
There are no restrictions based on age, gender, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability and political orientation of the candidates.

Dual Degree Option
Successful applicants have the option to pursue a dual degree awarded by University of Cape Coast and University of Rhode Island (USA). For further details visit: ACECoR Dual Degree Option

Application Procedure
For the 2019/2020 academic year intake, prospective candidates should apply to the listed MPhil and PhD Degree Programmes at the University of Cape Coast (Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences). Applicants must qualify for admission to master’s and doctorate programmes at the University of Cape Coast (visit https://ucc.edu.gh/admission-notices/post-graduate-regular-programmes).

To apply, fill the online scholarship application form on the ACECoR website https://acecoradmissions.ucc.edu.gh. Selected applicants will be required to purchase the UCC admissions voucher and login to the online registration portal https://apply.ucc.edu.gh/ with the PIN and SERIAL numbers. Access the graduate admissions brochure at https://sgs.ucc.edu.gh/sites/default/files/Brochure2019.pdf.

Applicants should note that application for scholarship is independent of the application for admission into the University of Cape Coast.

Language
ACECoR programmes shall be run in English Language. Applicants whose medium of instruction was not in English at undergraduate or postgraduate levels must have a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer-based test). Additional English language support services are available at the University of Cape Coast for students.

Note:
Females are encouraged to apply as they have equal chances of gaining admission to ACECoR programmes

Priority will be given to regional applicants with 30% admissions reserved for other countries in West and Central Africa.

ACECoR scholarships do not include visa fees or travel tickets. However, there will be administrative assistance with visa applications and airport pickup.