The University of the West Indies, the University of Guyana, the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, the University of Belize, and the University of Oxford are working to develop a jointly taught, web-based MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development.
[T]here is a clear demand in the Caribbean for qualified professionals with specific skills in taxonomy, environmental monitoring, assessment and modelling, information and environmental management to inform policy makers on issues of sustainable development. However, there is currently no formal, cohesive and cost-effective training scheme leading to a recognised qualification in the area of Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development. Due to their small geographical size, few SIDS have the critical mass to individually develop a teaching and research capacity in this specialist area.
This three-year project is designed to address this pressing need by building a regional capacity in the area of biodiversity identification and monitoring, conservation and sustainable development, and will accomplish its goals specifically by establishing a regional network and formally training individuals in the environmental sector.
The project was officially launched at UWI‘s St. Augustine Campus in September 2009.
[Photo: John Wilbanks at Flickr]
