About the MLU–UGANC partnership
In NetCDA, we work closely together with the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry (UGANC) in Guniea to improve high-quality doctoral training and strengthen national research capacity in areas critical to climate resilience, forestry and mining environment. The partnership combines the expertise of both institutions to provide high-quality academic supervision, promote international scientific exchange, and contribute to research that addresses climate and environmental challenges in West Africa.
The partnership provides academic mentoring and co-supervision for 12 PhD candidates conducting research in climate change adaptation, sustainable landscapes, forest ecosystems, and mining environments. A defining strength of the collaboration is MLU’s role in coordinating a network of co-supervisors from German universities and research institutions, matching doctoral candidates with experts whose scientific expertise aligns with the students’ research topics. Together with research training, workshops, scientific exchange, and research visits to Germany, this collaborative supervision model gives students access to complementary expertise, interdisciplinary perspectives, and an enriching international research environment.
Beyond supporting the current doctoral cohort, the partnership is designed to create lasting academic impact. Initially, the partnership focuses on establishing a strong foundation for high-quality doctoral supervision and successful research outcomes. As the collaboration develops, the partnership aims to strengthen institutional collaboration through joint research, researcher mobility, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices between Guinea and Germany. In the long term, MLU and UGANC are committed to building a sustainable academic partnership that expands research collaboration, develops future leaders in climate science, and strengthens research capacity to support climate resilience and sustainable development across Guinea and the wider West African region.
About NetCDA and WASCAL
The “European Academic Network for Capacity Development in Climate Change Adaptation” (NetCDA) is a consortium of German universities and research institutions with partners in West Africa, which aims to strengthen the training of doctoral students and scientific expertise in the field of climate change adaptation in West Africa. Working closely with the ‘West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use’ (WASCAL), NetCDA promotes the training and professional development of the next generation of climate researchers through high-quality research, academic mentoring and international cooperation.
WASCAL was founded in 2010 and is a leading West African organisation for research and capacity-building, focusing on climate change and its impacts on society, ecosystems, and sustainable development. Through its postgraduate programme, WASCAL connects universities and research institutions across the region to ensure interdisciplinary training and promote scientifically sound solutions to regional climate challenges.
Together, NetCDA and WASCAL create opportunities for joint research, academic exchange, researcher mobility and long-term institutional partnerships between Europe and West Africa. This collaboration, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), strengthens scientific excellence, promotes the exchange of knowledge and equips researchers with the necessary skills to tackle climate and environmental challenges in the region. Further information can be found at www.wascal.org (WASCAL) and www.netcda.org (NetCDA).
