Today at the University Abdou Moumouni Dioffo in Niamey, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) honored eleven recipients of scholarships awarded through the USAID West Africa Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (USAID WA-WASH).  The WA-WASH scholarships provide funds to students pursuing Master’s Degrees in the fields of Soil and Water Conservation, Innovation Communication, Development Studies, and Science.

A total of 30 students from 6 universities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger will be granted scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year for study in these countries.  These students will receive a scholarship package covering tuition fees, research and field work expenses, health insurance as well as a monthly stipend.  The students will conduct research on topics related to the USAID WA-WASH Program, the goal of which is to increase sustainable access to safe water and sanitation and to improve hygiene in the three targeted countries.

“Through the WA-WASH Program, USAID is helping to develop the capacity of faculty and students, local, national and regional organizations, and communities, equipping them with technical knowledge and skills so they can replicate models for sustainable service delivery,” said Bradley Wallach, USAID West Africa Deputy Mission Director.  “This is why this scholarship program targets students of advanced studies and applied research to address needs related to water, sanitation and hygiene.”