Three international institutions have launched the Climate Research Alumni and Post Doctorate in Africa (CLAP-Africa) project to develop climate change capacities in Africa.

The three institutions are West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), the Southern Africa Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use (SASSCAL) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The area focus of collaboration between the three institutions will cover three cardinal areas, namely: communication, infrastructure and calls for application.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Accra, Head of Section, Scholarship Programmes Africa, Cay Etzold stated that the essence of the cooperation was to support the exploration of the sub-regional effects of climate change in Africa as well as the development of alleviation strategies.

In recapitulating the milestones of DAAD, he said “we have supported young researchers to do their masters or PHD programmes in certain areas of Climate Research.

“But now we are coming to the next phase, we would like to support young researchers to develop research groups and create a network among young researchers and to give more information to policy makers of the different fields in climate change.”

In his keynote address, Head of Division, Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, Prof. Rene Haak, stated that amongst other objectives, the cooperation seeks to develop scientific capacities of future leaders in climate change research and provision of services in West and Southern Africa.

He also affirmed German’s continuous support and cooperation in the fight against climate change in Africa.

The Executive Director of WASCAL, Dr. Moumini Savadogo urged all climate students and alumni to take advantage of the opportunities made available

“I urge you all to see this partnership with DAAD as one of the biggest opportunities you could experience. Just imagine the potential job opening opportunities around the world to be shared amongst you; recommendations and referrals; experience sharing; networking platform and the lifetime relationships with individuals across the world amongst others. Don’t take this for granted.”

The CLAP-Africa project seeks to bring high –potential African researchers in climate Change research and protection together with African alumni of German funding initiatives. It seeks to speed up uptake and use of research outputs through vibrant, highly connected network to facilitate the development of regional solutions.

It is also geared towards opening opportunities in research and professional development for postdocs and alumni in Africa and especially in WASCAL and SASSCAL.