Team Member Name
Job Title
Development of a Master’s in Climate Change at PAUWES
Development and implementation of a new Master’s in Climate Change at PAUWES – Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy, in recognition of the need and urgency for training and university education in the field of climate change to ensure that professionals in relevant positions can contribute meaningfully to climate change adaptation and mitigation, to support sustainable development in Africa.
Partner/Client
PAUWES – Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy
Focus
Higher Education | Renewable Energy | Climate Change
Expertise
Climate Change | Higher Education | Curriculum Development | Climate Policy | Agenda 2063
Location
Algeria
Funding
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Status
Ongoing
Link
CHALLENGE
_ The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030 calls for a united effort across Africa to become self-reliant and climate smart, and to solve African problems with African human resources. The new Master’s in Climate Change is a priority action towards these aspirations.
_ PAUWES was selected to develop the new climate change master’s. PAUWES is hosted in northern Africa at the Abou Bekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen in Algeria and is supported by Germany for technical and financial cooperation. PAUWES currently offers four master’s programmes in water and energy policy and engineering.
_ Paeradigms was contracted to develop and implement the master’s with partner ACDI African Climate Development Initiative, part of University of Cape Town, South Africa. ACDI holds “Centre of Excellence” Status for climate development. The partnership brings high quality climate experience to the Pan African University.
APPROACH
_ The Paeradigms-ACDI team includes African experts with high-level Continental and international experience in climate change research and teaching. ACDI has a vast network of climate experts in Africa that are involved in the curriculum development process. Paeradigms brings expertise in higher education policy, stakeholder and project management, and communications to ensure successful implementation.
_ Although the programme development is guided by international standards, it must adhere to accreditation requirements imposed by the Algerian Ministry of Education, as well as achieve the aims of the Pan African University. Therefore, these stakeholders are consulted to ensure the curriculum is aligned to their criteria.
_ The technical content of the programme is guided by the latest research in climate change through the expert team and Continental experts. Policy content is a key differentiator of this programme and is guided by relevant policy, such as the African Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030.
_ Involvement of a wide range of climate policy and technical experts results in a collection of potential partners for PAUWES going forward both as future lecturers, partners, contributors, and donors.
RESULTS
_ Institutional commitment to a dual track programme based on a marketing needs assessment conducted in 2020. The two tracks are 1) Policy, and 2) Techinical (climate information for decision-makers). Both tracks include courses common to all Pan African University programmes. Tracks are distinguished by specialised courses conceptualised for each track.
_ Involvement of International and African experts in the climate change aspects of the curriculum, and Algerian experts to ensure accreditation for both tracks (separately).
_ A series of workshops to brief the writing team on general aspects required by the Pan African University, accreditation requirements, as well as the subject area expertise included in the syllabus outlines.
_ A high-level workshop with participation of the African Union and climate change stakeholders to validate the curriculum and ready it for presentation to the Algerian Ministry of Education.