A team from the West African Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (WACWISA) of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has participated in a review workshop as part of curriculum development for Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) in the country.
The four-day workshop was held in Ho, in partnership with the German development cooperation’s (GIZ) Green People’s Energy Project that aims to increase use of solar energy in irrigating agricultural crops.
It brought together stakeholders drawn from other research and training institutions and the private sector, with the aim to enhance collaboration and cooperation.
Development of the curriculum forms part of activities under components of the project signed as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WACWISA-UDS and GIZ-Green People’s Energy Project which is being implemented as a one-year project.
The curriculum focuses on the development of both theory and hands-on aspects of Solar Powered Irrigation Systems.
Under the agreement, WACWISA-UDS will undertake the training of sector players in the five northern regions; Northern, North East, Savanna, Upper East and Upper West.
WACWISA was established in 2019 by UDS as a semi-autonomous Centre of Excellence to undertake cutting-edge research and training in irrigation, drainage, water resources management, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and food and nutrition security.
Currently, it has 138 students from 25 countries studying Irrigation and Drainage Engineering and Environmental Management and Sustainability at the Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level.
WACWISA builds capacities of trainees and graduate students through short courses, Masters, PhD and post-doctoral level programmes, as well as undertakes applied and advanced research and develops sustainable localised technologies in water resources, irrigation, climate change, sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition.
WACWISA’s training and research programmes are enhanced through established partnerships with research institutions and industry partners within Ghana, Africa and globally. The training system emphasises quality and capacity building for students, and places a premium on practical skills and solutions to industry problems.
GIZ Green Energy People’s Project is also sponsoring the establishment of an SPIS demonstration site for training and research purposes at WACWISA, Nyankpala campus of UDS.
