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Alumni
Alumni groups
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TBA alumni in various countries have grouped together and created alumni associations. If you wish to get further information on the association in your country please find the contacts below. In case there is no such a group in your home country and you wish to start one, don't hesitate to contact the TBA alumni desk for guidance.
Established Groups
Benin
Benin TBA Alumni Group (BTAG) |
Country Coordinator: Kowiyou Yessoufou (02/2, Kibale) kyessoufou@yahoo.fr |
Assistant
coordinator: Nadine Worou/ Ulysse Korogoni (05/4, Kirindy) staulysse@yahoo.fr
Organizing secretary: Etotepe Sogbohossou (04/1, Naivasha) etotepe@yahoo.com
In 2002 the first student from Benin, Kowiyou Yessoufou, attended a TBA course. Since then 7 other students have attended the courses. The small number of TBA students from Benin is probably linked to language barrier.
In October 2007, the Benin TBA alumni group (BTAG) was born during a reunion held at the Institute of Applied Biological Sciences, Cotonou, Benin. The alumni shared experiences of the unforgettable times spent during the different TBA courses they attended, how they benefited from the course and their career progress. The group came up with a plan of activities aimed at contributing towards sustainable natural resources management and environmental protection through research, scientific seminars and conferences and national and international conservation action. Minutes of the inaugural meeting are available here. The group constantly encourages its members to share opportunities with TBA as a contribution to the online funding database and bulletin board.
Among others, the group's major objectives are to: help students go beyond language barrier, popularise TBA activities among Benin students and tropical biologists, share scholarship and job opportunities and consolidate the Group so as to keep the spirit of TBA alive.
Three members are currently completing their PhD Degree: Kowiyou Yessoufou (PhD study in Functional Ecology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa); Nadine Worou (PhD study in Crop Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany); Etotepe Sogbohossou (PhD study in Wildlife Management, Leiden University, Netherlands). The rest of the members are in various levels of their academic or professional careers.
To date two Benin alumni (Kowiyou and Etotepe) have been granted TBA postgraduate scholarships for their Master degrees.
"We overwhelmingly acknowledge that TBA courses gave us the kick-off to our scientific careers."
Cameroon
Cameroon TBA Alumni (CATBAA) |
Country Coordinator: Godwin Ade Tanda (04/4, Kirindy) godytanda@yahoo.fr or CATBAA@yahoogroups.com |
It really took a long time to observe that the TBA alumni from Cameroon were missing out on most of the follow-up opportunities including scholarships. This reality was confirmed at a meeting held in Accra Ghana in 2004 that discussed among others the TBA follow-up support opportunities and targets. This meeting became the key motivation towards the inception of CATBAA in August 2005.
CATBAA has since witnessed a steady progress towards deepening its roots as a not for profit non-governmental organization focused on the conservation of Cameroon's rainforests and savannah rich ecosystems; a short-term and long-term achievable goal that will require wide collaboration with national and international institutions with TBA at the centre of any such collaboration.
Of her over 36 members, more than half are currently abroad either working or pursuing further studies. The rest of the members are either staff in renowned national and international conservation organizations, postgraduate students or job seekers.
The group presently
has a two years’ plan that includes the establishing of the CATBAA website
which together with the existing CATBAA
yahoogroups forum is
targeted
to enhance communication among her multi-nationally based members as well
as to host future reports, publication and news postings.
CATBAA is currently exploring areas of intervention for future biological field research in three regions of Cameroon. In addition, plans to develop a proposal in partnership with TBA for funding and implementation are underway. The group strives to be an umbrella of many conservation efforts from different parts of the country where each of its members is represented. Legalising the association in the country has been a challenge but modalities are underway towards its registration.
"This increasing growth in capacity building of Cameroonians by TBA will produce the most needed pool of conservation experts within CATBAA."
In 2009 the group won a grant from the TBA Small grant and it is anticipated this will go a long way towards jump-starting its activities.
For details about the group visit web page or Email: catbaa@yahoo.co.uk
Ethiopia
TBA Alumni- Ethiopia |
Country Coordinator:(TBA 05/3, Amani) Tariku Hunduma tarikuh2002@yahoo.com |
Assistant
Coordinator: Hayal Desta (TBA 05/2 Kibale)
Secretary: Bruktawit Abdu (TBA 07/4 Kirindy) tawit_abdu@yahoo.com
The group works to create community awareness of biological resources conservation; conduct biological research; conserve threatened biodiversity and deliver conservation training. These priorities were set up at the first reunion meeting held to establish the 'TBA Alumni-Ethiopia' on 28th August 2008. Minutes of the meeting are available here
Ghana
Ghana TBA Alumni |
Country Coordinator: John Abraham (TBA 04/2, Kibale) jonnieabraham@yahoo.co.uk |
With
a progressive increase in the membership of the Ghanaian alumni group year
after year, there has also been a progressive number of members moving out
of Ghana in pursuit of
graduate studies. The TBA courses have therefore been a good stepping stone
for many of the members.
The current membership of the Ghanaian alumni group is 42. Of these, about 75% are active members.
It is interesting
to note that as many as about 61% of the active members are living outside
of Ghana, either studying or working in academia. About 34% of them are
in Europe and ab
out
27% in North America.
With this situation facing them, the group is thinking of initiating online meetings to advance its cause of contributing to natural resources conservation with their wide knowledge, expertise and experience acquired so far from TBA courses and other Institutions of higher learning.
News:
February 29th 2009: Noguchi, University of Ghana
Ghanaians hosted 14 alumni from 6 African and 1 European country in a meeting held during the1st conference of Africa Section of the SCB. Apart from networking, issues discussed were the major challenges facing alumni groups and their possible solutions. Read the minutes to learn more that was discussed.
To share ideas and information with the group members, send an email to ghanaiantba@yahoo.co.uk or Visit the Ghanaian TBA alumni group web page: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ghanaiantba.
Nigeria
Nigeria TBA Alumni |
Country Coordinator: Folaranmi Dapo Babalola (03/1, Kibale) folababs2000@yahoo.com |
Assistant Coordinator: Eruogun Oyomoare (05/1, Kibale) oyomoare@yahoo.com
Organizing Secretary: Stephen Awoyemi (02/3, Amani) stephen_awoyemi@yahoo.com
On
July 1st 2006, nine TBA alumni from Nigeria met for the first time to share
their experiences during and after TBA. This seemingly small re-union held
at the University of Ibadan led to the birth of the Nigeria TBA Alumni (NTBA)
group that very day. View the minutes of the inaugural
meeting.
Later a second reunion themed “Biodiversity and Climate Change” was held on June 16th 2007. The slogan of the reunion was “Climate Change is real! Conserve, Adapt, Mitigate”. A talk that was given on Career and self development is available in audio tape on request from the coordinator. A lecture titled “Climate Change: Critical issues and options” was also delivered by the NTBA coordinator. Featured also were various contributions from the alumni in attendance. The reunion was concluded by “preaching the gospel” of biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
News:
April 28th 2009: Maiden Seminar themed “Capacity Development and Career Prospects in Conservation Science”, University of Ibadan.
About 200 students and upcoming young professionals studying Conservation and related disciplines in Nigeria tertiary institutions attended. Topics discussed included: Biodiversity conservation; Climate change; Conservation education; Millennium development goals; Role of biodiversity NGOs in conservation science and selected TBA courses projects by Nigerians. Awards were also given to the best three student presentations .Clickhere for a brief seminar report and view Seminar Proceedings>>. Plans are underway for such seminars to be held annually.
Many of the NTBA alumni are now recipients of various international Scholarships to study abroad; Fellowships and Research grants; and are also executives, workers and members of renowned conservation organizations all over the world, thereby finding their way into communities of great scientists and making positive impacts!
For more about NTBA visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NTBA. To share ideas with group members, e-mail NTBA@yahoogroups.com
TBA Alumni Association of Kenya (TBAAK) |
Country Coordinator: Margaret Owuor (06/2, Kibale) awuorowuor@yahoo.com |
Assistant Coordinator: Masumi
Gudka (06/3, Mpala/Naivasha) Masumigudka@hotmail.com
Organizing Secretary: Irene Madindou (05/4, Kirindy) aireener@gmail.com
After
several unsuccessful attempts to form the group, TBAAK was finally launched
on 9th February 2007 during the first meeting held at the National museums
of Kenya, with approximately 16 TBA Kenya Alumni in attendance. This marked
the beginning of a long journey towards achieving the group's overriding
goal of creating a network for effective biodiversity research, conservation
and management through activities such as: collective participation in
environmental education and awareness and biodiversity research.
Several consultations among
the members in late 2007 yielded a constitution that is being used in
the registration of TBAAK as an independent organisation, a process that
has so far proved to be really difficult. 
The group continually promotes teamwork, recognising its importance for effective scientific research work. Today, the group has a rich diversity in knowledge, expertise and experience, with at least 120 members spread worldwide across various environmental, research and academic institutions.
All has not been easy though. With most of the members pursuing higher education and careers abroad, the possibility of holding regular meetings has been elusive. However, the group has since created a 'group' on face book to make it easier for members to share ideas.
The association plans to hold a seminar at the National Museums of Kenya to discuss the way forward as far as contributing to natural resources conservation is concerned.
Madagascar
Madagascar TBA Alumni |
Country Coordinator: Andriamarovololona Mijasoa (05/2, Kibale) mijasoa@yahoo.com |
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When
15 TBA Malagasy alumni, all excited over the opportunity to meet, share
ideas and experiences met on December
3rd 2007, they had no idea that a formidable conservation group was about
to be born- by them! That reunion and MTBA inaugural meeting discussed
the structure and main goals of the proposed Madagascar TBA alumni (MTBA)
group.
To achieve its objectives the group agreed on several activities: training (between MTBA and by TBA), environmental education, web discussions, public awareness, scientific meetings and regular communication with TBA offices. Click here for a presentation on MTBA delivered by the coordinator during the launch.
Malagasy alumni are invited to share ideas and learn the activities of the group at the website and via e-mail
Rwanda
Rwanda TBA Alumni |
Country Coordinator: Tuyisingize Deogratias (06/4, Kirindy) deotuyisingize@yahoo.com |
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August
2nd 2007 saw the launch of the Rwandan TBA alumni group. Organized by
Mr. Tuyisingize and the Director of Karisoke Research Center (Dr. Katie
Fawcett, TBA 96/2 Kibale), the event was attended by thirty people.
Among others, the group's plans included: attending of weekly scientific
seminars by members, organized by the Karisoke Research Center, where
one of the members makes a presentation. Minutes of the meeting are
available here.
The group is currently preparing statutes to be recognized at national, regional and international levels and its major focus areas are on initiating new research activities e.g. a butterfly project, lady bird studies and plant-animal interaction projects as well as promotion of TBA courses among young Rwandan biologists.
Presently, members are wor
king
on the future of the group by identifying key guidelines and activities
to be carried out in the long term. Most members are presently involved
in further studies with some having gone on to study in international
universities as well as to participate in international conferences.
The group recently prepared a proposal on Scientific paper-writing,
a project that will be funded by TBA and Karisoke Research Center. In
collaboration with the Late Prof. Michael Majerus (TBA field lecturer),
a butterfly project was developed by the group and handed to Karisoke
Research Center to seek for research funds.
To date, one alumnus (Deogratias Tuyisingize) has received a TBA MSc scholarship to study Conservation Biology at the University of Cape Town and is presently writing up his project on biological species in Rwanda.
Sudan TBA Alumni Association |
Country Coordinator: Sara Saeed (TBA 04/3, Kibale) sarakhider@hotmail.com |
The
Sudan TBA alumni Association was launched on December 30th 2004 in a colorful
reunion meeting held at the Natural History Museum of the University of
Khartoum. One of the agenda w
as
to encourage fresh graduates from the University of Khartoum to apply
for TBA courses.
The group has met on several occasions since then and on February 15th 2007, it held a meeting with a representative of the Sudanese Society for Conserving Environment to discuss the future of the Sunut Forest bordering the White Nile River in Khartoum state, proposed to be a Ramsar Site and now threatened with destruction.
Through the Sudan alumni group, the TBA courses are now known by most professors as the new window to get and mend the information of conservation biology in Africa and the rest of the world. The Sudanese alumni group is trying to connect different institutions in Sudan to pass the information and experience they have acquired to the students of Zoology and Botany majors.
Uganda
Uganda TBA Alumni Association |
Country Coordinator: Concy Olanya Acen (06/3 Mpala/ Naivasha) quonsie@yahoo.com |
Assistant country
Coordinator: Michael Malinga (01/3 Kibale) malingams@yahoo.com
Organising secretary: Edward Okot Omoya (03/2 Kibale) edwardokot@yahoo.co.uk
On
May 31st 2008, the first Ugandan TBA alumni reunion meeting was held at
the Makerere University with great success. Apart from getting to know
each other, the members present discussed the proposed association’s structure
and activities. Also discussed were the need for formation of the group
constitution, payment of membership and subscription fees yearly for the
smooth running of the association. Members agreed to hold regular meetings
at least every last saturday of the month. See the
minutes of the first meeting.
The group held another successful meeting on July 26th 2008 at the Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere University. During this meeting, several activities were suggested to kick off immediately. These included: an outreach programme to schools in Kampala district involving Environmental Education and tree seedling donations; conservation of indigenous tree species; preparation of posters to help build biodiversity conservation awareness; organisation of talk shows; proposal writing and participation in environmental clean up activities. Read the full minutes here
Groups under formation
Malawi
Malawi TBA Alumni |
Interim Coordinator: Tiwonge Ivy Mzumara (05/1, Kibale) tiwongem@yahoo.com |
Plans for a reunion are underway.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone TBA Alumni Association |
Interim Coordinator: Abu Conteh (98/2, Kibale) abuconteh@justice.com |
Tanzania TBA Alumni Association |
Interim Coordinator: Dos Santos Silayo (02/2, Kibale) dsilayo@yahoo.co.uk |