CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - Africa Water Quality Testing Fellowship Programme

News | Published: 19th October 2026

 

KNUST Cohort 1 | January–July 2027

 

The Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kumasi (RWESCK), Department of Civil Engineering, KNUST, in partnership with the Aquaya Institute, invites applications from eligible undergraduate students for the first KNUST cohort of the Africa Water Quality Testing Fellowship Programme (AWQTF).

 

The Fellowship builds the practical and professional capacity of emerging water-quality professionals through hands-on training in drinking-water quality monitoring, field sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, quality assurance, and water safety planning.

The 2027 cohort will include 25 Fellows.

 

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a third- or final-year undergraduate student at KNUST enrolled in one of the following programmes:
    • BSc Civil Engineering, particularly students interested in Water and Environmental Engineering
    • BSc Chemical Engineering
    • BSc Biochemistry
    • BSc Environmental Science
    • BSc Chemistry
  • Have a minimum Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of 65/100
  • Demonstrate a strong interest in water, sanitation, environmental or public health
  • Be available to participate fully in the Fellowship from January to July 2027
  • Be willing to participate in weekend training sessions, tutorials, laboratory practicals, fieldwork and other programme activities

 

Eligible female students are strongly encouraged to apply. The programme aims to achieve at least 40% female participation, while maintaining a merit-based selection process.

 

What Will Fellows Gain?

Selected Fellows will receive practical training and exposure in:

  • Drinking-water quality and public health
  • Water-quality parameters and contaminants
  • Water sampling and sanitary inspection
  • Physicochemical water-quality testing
  • Microbiological water-quality analysis
  • Laboratory quality assurance and quality control
  • Data analysis, interpretation and reporting
  • Drinking-water treatment and Water Safety Plans
  • Field-based water-quality investigations
  • Professional mentoring and practitioner seminars
  • Technical exposure visits and career-development activities

 

The Fellowship will include 15 core instructional days, tutorials, an intensive five-day field exercise, supervised laboratory analysis and participation in Aquaya's virtual seminar series.

 

Fellows will also have opportunities to engage with water-sector professionals and to compete for selected internship and industrial attachment opportunities with participating institutions.

 

Certification

Fellows who successfully satisfy the required attendance, assessment and practical competency requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion jointly endorsed by RWESCK, the Department of Civil Engineering, KNUST, and The Aquaya Institute.

 

Selection Process

Selection will be competitive and merit-based and will involve:

  1. Review of submitted applications and academic records; and
  2. A structured interview for shortlisted applicants.

Applicants will be assessed based on academic performance, motivation, demonstrated interest in water quality and related fields, communication skills, relevant experience and commitment to completing the Fellowship.

 

How to Apply

Interested students should complete the online application form and submit the required supporting documents.

 

Application Link: https://forms.gle/Jq6K3upn68xXbtXt8

 

Application Deadline: 06 November, 2026

 

Fellowship Period: January–July 2027

 

For enquiries:

Mr Godwin Armstrong Duku

godwinarmstrong@gmail.com/ +233245127868

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.

 

Build practical skills. Generate evidence. Contribute to safer drinking water.

 

Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kumasi (RWESCK)

Department of Civil Engineering

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

 

In partnership with The Aquaya Institute

 

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