The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has engaged stakeholders on a proposed Postgraduate programme (MSc, MPhil, Ph.D.) on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) at a workshop held on December 10, 2021, at Mensvic Hotel in Accra.
The workshop aimed at deliberating on the University’s contribution to Land Degradation and its related areas through academic programmes, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 15; and the commitment of world leaders to collectively work, halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
Giving his remarks, the Dean of International Relations Office and one of the Co-Chairs of GEO LDN, Prof. Amos T. Kabobah, mentioned that the academic programme seeks to build the capacity of young professionals to enable them to collect and interpret data relating to land degradation issues in Ghana and beyond. He was optimistic that the programme would help restore deplorable lands for sustainable development.
Dr. Abdul-Wadood Moomen his presentation said the curriculum design modeling for the postgraduate programme would be Subject, Learner and Problem centered on land degradation and sustainable land management. He added that professionals with industry experience and interest in agriculture, environmental protection among others would be drawn to pursue the progamme.
Prof. Amos T. Kabo-bah together with Dr. Jonas Ayaribilla Akugudu, Dr. David Anaafo at the Department of Planning and Sustainability, and Dr. Abdul-Wadood Moomen at the Department of Sustainable Mineral Resources convened the curriculum, which is under the School of Mines and Built Environment, Kenyasi Campus.
Group on Earth Observations, GIZ, and Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources Development sponsored the programme and in participation were the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, Staff of other universities, representatives from government and tertiary regulatory institutions, and international organisations such as United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and AfriGEO Secretariat who joined via zoom. The programme is expected to begin next academic year.
