KNUST Ghana-2009:ITC Leaflet

International MSc course
Geo-information Science and
Natural Resource Management
ITC, Enschede, the Netherlands – KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
September 2010 – March 2012
In many African countries, the desire to meet the livelihood needs of people has led to unsound exploitation
and management of natural resources. The ensuing environmental problems are numerous and commonly
known: deforestation, land degradation, depletion of resources and pollution. Climate change and its direct
causes, previously mostly a concern of industrialised countries, is now showing its effects world-wide and
African countries are not exempted. To mitigate environmental problems, improved natural resource management
is a major task, confronting planners and decision makers at all levels. This requires a good understanding
of the complex factors involved as well as sound knowledge of the international environmental agenda.
www.itc.nl
www.knust.edu.gh
Career perspective
In recent years there is an increased understanding of the importance
of spatial information and its application to support decision-making
in natural resources management in Ghana and
other regions of Africa. Many organisations at national, regional
and district levels are in need of staff with sound knowledge of
natural resource management (NRM) in the national and international
context, who are capable of providing technical expertise
in the application of geo-information tools.
Course content
The hub of the course is the application of geo-information and
earth observation techniques in support of natural resources
management. The course provides participants with knowledge
and skills needed for the collection, interpretation and management
of spatial information, using remote sensing and geographic
information systems, to support planning and
decision-making processes in natural resources management. The
curriculum concentrates on methods for assessing the state of
To develop the critical mass with this expertise, the Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in
Kumasi, Ghana, and the International Institute for Geo-
Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) in Enschede, the
Netherlands, have jointly developed an MSc degree course which
combines sustainable management of natural resources with
geo-information and earth observation tools.
the resource base and the changes that occur, and progresses to
the assessment of impacts and, finally, societal response.
The course is structured in three parts, each comprising of several
modules of three weeks. The first two parts consist of course
work, taught partly in a multi-disciplinary fashion, followed by
tasks which are focused on a particular application domain such

sensing and GIS. The aim of ITC’s activities is the international
exchange of knowledge, focusing on capacity building and institutional
development in developing countries and emerging
economies. To date ITC has more than 19,000 alumni in all parts
of the world, some of whom are taking leading positions in their
respective organisations. (For more information: www.itc.nl)
as forestry, agriculture, environmental protection and wildlife
management. Students can choose tasks in one or more application
areas, depending on their interest and background. This
approach allows students to develop their own profile against the
broad background of NRM. In the third block participants carry
out their individual MSc research work in a specific field.
Starting date and duration
The course starts in September 2010 and lasts for 18 months
(five months in Enschede and thirteen months in Kumasi).
Period and Location
September - April
Kumasi
April - August
Enschede
September - March
Kumasi
Topics
Principles and skills in GIS and remote
sensing, natural resource management
issues in Ghana and the region,
GIS and remote sensing applications
for environmental
management
Join other international students in
Enschede for advanced course work in
the application domain, research skills
and methods, and proposal writing
Conduct research: fieldwork and
secondary data collection, data
processing, analysis and thesis writing
and defence
Institutions involved
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(KNUST) is located in the historic city of Kumasi, Ghana. It was
established in August 1961 and is one of the five public universities
and the only technological university in Ghana. KNUST’s revolutionary
spirit is unique among Ghana’s universities. It draws
exceptional students from around the country and other countries
to its undergraduate and graduate schools. KNUST currently
has about 20,000 students who are studying at the diploma,
undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. The university has a spacious
campus with ample accommodation for national and international
students. Two colleges are involved in the course: the
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and the
College of Engineering (CE).
For more information: www.knust.edu.nl
The International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth
Observation (ITC) established in 1950 is the largest institute for
international higher education in the Netherlands. It provides
international education, research and project services in the field
of geo-information science and earth observation using remote
ITC faculty of the University of Twente
As of 1 January 2010, ITC will be a faculty (with special status) of
the University of Twente (UT). The merger will be implemented in
a way that preserves the distinctive character and mission of ITC.
As a university faculty, ITC will be more firmly embedded in the
Dutch academic education system. Furthermore, the integration
with the University of Twente will lead to innovative research and
education in areas such as energy, environment, climate change,
water, geo-information and earth observation, and disaster management.
The University of Twente is a modern, entrepreneurial university
of technology. Its focus is on developing relevant modern technology,
and this is made possible through collaboration between
engineering, natural, social and behavioural sciences strongly
embedded in disciplines and technologies.
Who should apply?
The course primarily caters for mid-career professionals, but is
also open to recent graduates who want to continue for an MSc
degree.
Admission requirements
• BSc degree in a first class or second class upper division or
equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• Proficiency in English
• Eligibility for a visa of the Netherlands and Ghana
Cost
Tuition fee: Euro 4,900. Additional costs: Euro 9,600.
Note: Additional costs include books, health insurance, fieldwork
and other student related costs such as accommodation and living
cost. An international air ticket to the Netherlands is not
included in the additional cost.
Application deadlines
Your applications should reach us before 1 July 2010.
However, if you intend to apply for a fellowship from the
Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) your application should
reach us before 15 January 2010.
More information
For further information contact:
Dr. Samuel Oppong (KNUST)
E: sko86@hotmail.com or kobbyoppong@yahoo.com
T: +233-51-60 381 or +233-244-53 56 92
I: www.knust.edu.gh
or
Ir. Louise van Leeuwen (ITC)
E: vanleeuwen@itc.nl
T: +31-53-4874 347 or +31-53-4874 240
I: www.itc.nl/education
ITC 250 - 06082009