Training Opportunities
Presently,
there are a variety of national training opportunities involving courses
coming to the field station and interested parties are encouraged
to contact MUIENR.
At the present time there is one regular
international course coming to the field station; that is the course
run by the Tropical
Biology Association . The Tropical Biology Association is working
to meet the challenge of biodiversity conservation by establishing
an informed, well motivated community of tropical biologists based
both in Europe and in tropical countries. Through its training courses
and its growing network of individuals and institutions, the TBA is
establishing a collaborative framework which will provide a firm foundation
for conservation and research activities in the tropics. Through a
grant awarded by the EU, the TBA started a program of follow-up support
for African course participants. Tropical Biology Association courses
are unusual in that they bring together students and academics from
Africa, Europe and elsewhere, providing a valuable opportunity for
biologists from different countries to share ideas and make contacts.
The courses also play an important role in transferring ecological
expertise between Europe and Africa.
TBA courses are open to biologists at
graduate or advanced undergraduate level who have a keen interest,
but little experience, in tropical biology and conservation. Courses
are a month long and are taught by biologists from Europe and Africa.
The TBA selects equal numbers of European and African participants
for each course (a total of 22-26 on each) representing around 12
or 13 different countries.
The first week of the course introduces
Kibale's flora and fauna during identification workshops and field
exercises. Evening lectures and seminars cover selected topics in
tropical ecology, focusing on the expertise of the teaching staff
present. A short excursion to nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park
takes place during the second week. The remainder of the course is
devoted to independent research projects carried out in pairs. Projects
are written up in full and presented to the class as short research
papers. Evening lectures and research talks continue throughout.
Interested individuals should contact
TBA directly.
Individuals interested in initiating
new training courses are encouraged to contact MUIENR.
