Call for scholarship application for PhDs and MSc positions in the framework of the Intra Africa PATH project
Background
Climate change is one of the main problems affecting food and nutrition globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Adapting to and mitigating climate change in the agri-food sector requires merging information technologies, genetic innovations, and sustainable farming practices to empower the agricultural youth sector to create effective and locally adapted solutions. Precision Agriculture applied to crops (PAAC), has been advocated as a strategic solution to mitigate/adapt agriculture at a smallholder and global scales to climate change effects and enhance the digital skills of the younger generations, whilst increasing their interest in agriculture. PATH project, funded by the Intra-Africa Program of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission, is an initiative of four highly qualified public universities from three African regions and one university in Europe to advance knowledge in precision/digital agriculture. The Project is coordinated by the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Republic of Benin. Partner universities include the University of Cape Coast in Ghana (West Africa), the University of Rwanda (Eastern Africa), the University of Eswatini (Southern Africa) and Institut Agro Montpellier in France (Technical partner). The University of UM6P in Morocco is also member of the consortium as associate partner.
The objectives of PATH project are to:
- train 12 PhD and 32 MSc African scholars in precision agriculture applied to crops (PAAC) to upgrade the continent’s capability;
- build capacity of 10 young African staff and 10 trainees in PAAC; and
- improve PAAC and ICT4Ag (Information and Communication Technology for Agriculture) curricula and research at the participating African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to address more efficiently the current challenges of agriculture and climate change.
We value collaboration with seed companies and private enterprises involved in digital agriculture for hosting trainees for entrepreneurship.
