To strengthen the academic scientific knowledge and improve the training offer on biodiversity assessment and monitoring through the cooperation of HEIs in Europe and Tanzania, adopting modern and novel training approaches for curricula development, improving the infrastructure, and mainstreaming in existing curricula the relevant expertise, particularly through e‐learning tools and online collaborative platforms where students and teachers will be able to learn, teach and co‐create content of courses
Goals&Targets
The project aims at developing competitive curricula and improve skills for lecturers, researchers, students and professionals in the field of conservation.
The establishment of global partnerships to improve conservation and management of biodiversity is strongly endorsed by the European Union and is in line with the EU Biodiversity Targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
As highlighted in two of the SDG Targets (Target 17.6 – enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation and access to science, technology and innovation; Target 17.9 – implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans), the CONTAN project will enhance the capacity in providing essential benefits for sustainable development.
Especially in the field of biodiversity monitoring and management, this will be translated in the enhancement of protocols and international Targets (such as the CBD – Aichi Targets) for assessing and monitoring biodiversity: these protocols should be consistent amongst current and future professionals to ensure effective actions for sustainable forest management and halting biodiversity loss.
GOALS&TARGETS IN DETAIL
Project’s Specific Objectives (SOs) and corresponding Target Groups (TGs)
SO1
TG1
HEI’s students in biology, environment, and wildlife management courses, both at B.Sc. (MWEKA) and M.Sc. levels (SUA and UDSM) – at least 90 students per year
SO2
To build the capacity of partner country HEI’s lecturers and technicians on biodiversity-related disciplines and approaches for them to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the best and most updated methodologies and tools for delivering effective training, including adequate equipment dotation. In turn, to strengthen the mandate of HEIs at forming the new generation of professionals of protected areas and other relevant Governmental and non-Governmental conservation agencies
TG2
Lecturers of HEIs partner in these courses (18 staff units among teaching staff from Tanzania’s partner HEIs, in addition to at least 10 professionals/experts from PAs and other relevant agencies which will be participating on a voluntary basis)
SO3
To boost skills of students, and update the capacity of professionals, to implement standardized biodiversity monitoring techniques on the ground, hence contributing to bridge the gap between international and national policies and targets, and actual monitoring efforts
TG3
Selected professionals of PAs (such as park ecologists, foresters, assistant ecologists, etc.) and of local conservation agencies who will be invited to participate to field training workshops at the field stations in Udzungwa and Kilimanjaro and will as well be granted access to e‐learning courses (90 students from Tanzanian partner HEIs plus at least 15 professionals will participate to the field training stages per year)
