Background
In Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) there is a documented knowledge gap at higher education institutions related to fish health and environmental stressors. This includes lack of understanding of aetiologies, diagnostics and prophylaxis of fish diseases. Lack of knowledge hampers the economic development of aquaculture and fisheries industries in the region, precludes evidencebased policies and decision-making from governments and also has societal implication for the development of aquatic resources-dependent communities. There is also a need to build competence in fish and environmental health to monitor and protect wild freshwater and marine fish populations which are essential for food security and food safety in the region. Furthermore, the quality of fish products and the level of man-made chemical pollutants and biotoxins have implications to human health, sustainable utilization of resources and environmental conservation. Capacity building in these fields is required to ensure an expanded, qualified workforce in institutions with solid research capabilities that can educate and train competent resource persons who will meet tomorrow’s development challenges related to production of quality high-value protein in the aquatic environment.
Project Goal and Intended Outcome
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Makerere University (MU), University of Nairobi (UoN), University of Zambia (UNZA) and the University of Dar es Salaam’s - Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) in Zanzibar is undertaking a collaborative research project entitled “Capacity Building for Training and Research in Aquatic and Environmental Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (TRAHESA)”. The project is supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED). The goal of the project is to strengthen education and research capacity in aquatic and environmental health in Eastern and Southern Africa. The project intends to achieve the above through training of human resources at both masters and PhD levels while generating the information to fill the knowledge gap.
Call for Applications
We are pleased to announce a call for applications for 10 MSc scholarships within the field of health of aquatic resources. The aim of the scholarships is to support training of local scholars at Masters degree level. Selected MSc candidates will register as full time students at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania where they will undertake the course work for one year before returning to their home countries for research under the supervision of the partner Universities implementing the TRAHESA project.
The distribution of positions is as follows:
- Tanzania Sokoine University of Agriculture, in Tanzania (2-positions) Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam in Zanzibar, (2-positions)
- Uganda Makerere University in Uganda (2-positions)
- Kenya University of Nairobi in Kenya (2-positions)
- Zambia University of Zambia (2-positions)
Eligibility
i. Holders of Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine (BVM), Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Fish Health and Safety related fields or other equivalent degree in relevant fields in natural and environmental sciences.
ii. Having admission or evidence of submitted application documents for admission to pursue MSc in “Health of Aquatic Resources" at SUA in 2016/17 Academic year.
iii. Highly motivated individuals to develop a scientific career and capability to complete MSc studies within the prescribed time frame (2 years). iv. Interested in undertaking research in health of aquatic resources.
v. Not already enrolled in a sponsored MSc programme.
vi. Willingness to work in a team and a strong ambition to accomplish the research goals of the project.
vii. Good academic records /transcripts. viii. Excellent communication skills.
ix. Good command of spoken and written English.
x. Perspectives on future use of MSc skills for teaching, research and extension; as well as for self employment under the Private sector.
xi. Full time availability from October 2016 for a period of 2 years.
How to apply
Potential candidates are hereby invited to submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and certificates, 2 names of academic referees whereby at least one of them being the immediate work supervisors, and a one page concept note. The concept note should contain an outline of the rationale for the proposed study, objectives, methodological approach and expected outputs. Applications MUST reach focal persons in the respective Institutions and Countries by 21st August 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by 31st August 2016.
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. The positions are only available to applicants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia for the respective positions in the partner universities in those countries.
Applications should be submitted to focal persons in respective institutions whose contact details are shown below:
- Prof. Robinson Mdegela; E-mail: rmdegela2012@gmail.com / mdegela@suanet.ac.tz for 2 positions at Sokoine University of Agriculture.
- Prof. Denis Byarugaba; E-mail: dkb@covab.mak.ac.ug for 2 positions at Makerere University.
- Prof. Paul Mbuthia; E-mail: pgmbuthia@uonbi.ac.ke for 2 positions at University of Nairobi.
- Dr. Aviti Mmochi; E-mail: mmochi@ims.udsm.ac.tz / mmochi2003@yahoo.co.uk for 2 positions at the Institute of Marine Sciences.
- Dr. Kaampwe Muzandu: E-mail: kmuzandu@unza.zm for 2 positions at University of Zambia.
All applications MUST be copied to the Project Coordinator in the South; Prof. Robinson Mdegela; Email: rmdegela2012@gmail.com and the Coordinator in the North; Prof. Stephen Mutoloki; stephen.mutoloki@nmbu.no
Responsibilities
The MSc fellows’ tasks will be to study and report on their selected research questions within the context of this project by methods depending on the area of research. The interconnected substudies will require intensive interaction with the programme leader, research collaborators, supervisors, and other MSc and PhD students in the programme. The progress of the MSc fellows’ work will be evaluated annually or as will be deemed necessary by the Supervisors and/ or Project Coordinators. It is expected that each of the MSc fellows will publish at least one paper from his/her research work in international peer reviewed journals.
Financial matters
The fellowship will cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend and research costs based on successful deliverables.
Further Contacts
More information on the project can be obtained from:
Professor Robinson Mdegela
TRAHESA Project Coordinator
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Sokoine University of Agriculture
P. O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania
Tel: +255 754 371 628
Email: rmdegela2012@gmail.com
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