The University of the South Pacific (USP) Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD)
Applications Now Open for 2024
The University of the South Pacific is excited to announce the availability of two full-time MSc scholarships for the ‘Blue CARBON condition Index and tool for Fiji (B-CABONI)’ project. These scholarships, funded by Irish Aid under the Our Shared Ocean Programme, will commence in Semester 2, 2024. They are offered in collaboration with the University College Cork (Ireland) and are based at USP’s Laucala campus in Fiji.
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| Masters Scholarship in Climate Change |
Project Overview
The B-CABONI project is a pioneering initiative aimed at quantifying the condition and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon pools. This involves the development of a robust monitoring tool tailored to Fiji’s needs, focusing on mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. The project seeks to address notable gaps in the understanding of true carbon pools, sediment depth, and seagrass extent. By integrating existing research, B-CABONI will enhance our capacity to map and quantify blue carbon reserves holistically.
Key Research Areas
- Assessing blue carbon quantification, condition, and storage across diverse coastal and marine ecosystems.
- Evaluating sediment accumulation rates and the impact of climate change on carbon storage over time.
- Blue carbon geospatial mapping for mangroves and seagrass ecosystems.
- Determining ecological and environmental conditions through a graded condition index.
- Identifying areas at risk of carbon loss.
General Information and Scholarship Conditions
The scholarships cover tuition fees and provide a monthly living allowance. Additional support for research costs, travel, field consumables, and equipment is also included. Recipients are expected to contribute to PaCE-SD’s ongoing research and adhere to the institution’s requirements, including maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Eligibility Criteria
- A completed relevant postgraduate diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Must have passed PC420 (Research Projects in Climate Change) or an equivalent course with at least a B grade.
- Priority is given to applicants from Small Island Developing States or those already enrolled in a SIDS Third-level institution.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A cover letter detailing motivation for the research, qualifications, and envisioned contributions to climate change resilience.
- A Research Intent, CV, certified copies of transcripts, and other supporting documents.
How to Apply
Applications for the scholarship should be sent to Ms. Harmindar Kaur, Administrative Assistant, PaCE-SD, The University of the South Pacific, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, or via email to harmindar.kaur@usp.ac.fj. The deadline for scholarship applications is July 29th, 2024.
Further Information
For more details on the Masters program or the scholarship, visit www.usp.ac.fj/student or contact Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti via email at hilda.sakitiwaqa@usp.ac.fj.
The University of the South Pacific is committed to providing equal opportunities and does not discriminate based on ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Partner Institutions
- University College Cork, Ireland
- Irish Aid
- Our Shared Ocean Programme
Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to critical climate change research and join the global effort to understand and protect our blue carbon reserves. Apply now!
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