Augustine Igbozulike

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, through its Centre of Excellence in Root Crop Research and Development (CERCORD), is inviting applications for tuition-free Masters and PhD programs for the 2025/2026 academic session. CERCORD is a TETFund Centre of Excellence focused on translational research in agriculture, offering advanced study in Food Processing and Postharvest Technology, Soil and Crop Improvement, Farm Mechanization and Automation, and Agripreneurship and Sustainable Technology Transfer. The curriculum is designed to integrate academic and entrepreneurial skills with demand-driven research. Available programs include M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Food Processing and Postharvest Technology, Soil and Crop Improvement, Farm Mechanization and Automation, and Agripreneurship and Sustainable Technology Transfer. The M.Sc. programs require coursework and dissertation over four semesters, while PhD programs are mainly research-based, spanning six semesters, with 2-3 months of internship in collaborating industries, parastatals, and institutions. Eligibility for the M.Sc. program includes a B.Sc. or B.Tech in relevant fields with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (5-point scale) or equivalent, and meeting university matriculation requirements. PhD applicants must have a Master's degree in relevant disciplines with a minimum CGPA of 3.50 (5-point scale), 2.80 (4-point scale), or 60% in percentage scale. International students are encouraged to apply. The program is tuition free, with only application and acceptance fees required. Students benefit from industrial experience and a stipend for research projects. Course delivery is hybrid (physical and virtual). Applicants must apply online at portal.mouau.edu.ng, select CERCORD, and request their university to send transcripts directly to [email protected]. The deadline for applications is five weeks from the date of publication (approx. November 15, 2025). For more information, visit cercord.mouau.edu.ng or contact [email protected].