Alumni
Alumni groups
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.Click here 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 members in late 2007 yielded a constitution that was used in the registration of TBAAK as an independent organisation, a process that for a long time proved to be really difficult. Finally in February 2010, after a long struggle, the TBAAK was issued with a certificate of registration, allowing them to carry out their activities. Subsequently, the group plans to have a meeting with the members to discuss the way forward.
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.
In 2010 some of the members, led by Dickens Odeny (TBA 04/1 Naivasha/Taita),
presented a 
proposal
titled, "Establishing Conservation Status of Wire Hill Forest
in Rachuonyo district, Kenya" to the TBA Small grants scheme
for possible funding.
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.
Aware of the huge challenge for conservation in Madagascar and acknowledging the value of adequate training, MTBA regularly runs informal meetings at the University of Antananarivo to inform other students about scholarships and grants opportunities. Also in 2009, a team of MTBA (Rado, Roma, Iharimbolatiana) won the TBA small grant support for their project titled, "Tackling biodiversity conservation through sensitizing students in the vicinity of the humid forests and fruit bat roosts in Eastern Madagascar" which is currently under implementation. During 2010, another team of MTBA worked on a yet to be awarded proposal for a student conference/workshop to be held in Antananarivo in December 2010.
Although members are scattered allover Madagascar and around the world, the group has recently trialled the possibility of using “Skype conference” to overcome the challenge of physical meetings and it has proved to be such an effective tool that MTBA is motivated to extend the network to TBA Alumni in other countries.
To date the group has held 2 formal meetings (and a few preparatory meetings by the committee) and participated in a series of lectures by Eric Rakotoarisoa (an alumnus working for Yale University).
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 |
The International year of Biodiversity 2010, also marks
exactly 15 years since the first Malawians participated in a TBA course.
Chimwemwe Mhango-Mawaya and Moses Maliro (both Kibale 95/2), who presently
hold PhDs in Biodiversity Management and Plant breeding respectively,
were the first TBA course participants from Malawi
.
Dr Mawaya is a senior lecturer at the University of Malawi’s Chancellor
College and is involved in Biodiversity Management research as well
as Gender and natural resource management. Dr Maliro is also a senior
lecturer at the University of Malawi’s Bunda.
Nine more Malawians have since attended TBA courses with some also progressing to PhD status. The two ladies that followed the pioneers, Joyce Bakuwa-Njoloma (Kibale 96/2) and Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda (Kibale 97/1) have both completed their PhDs in Biotechnology and Conservation Biology respectively. Dr. Maliwichi-Nyirenda is currently a Training Coordinator for LEAD-SEA while Dr Njoloma is the Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Environmental Science at Bunda College and is currently involved in research in Horticulture and Agroforestry. Enoch Mlangeni (Naivasha/Taita 00/1) is currently studying for a PhD in genetics at university Jena, Germany.
Currently, the group's main goals are to sensitise more graduates about TBA courses and to provide a platform for research experience by including students in the members' individual studies. Tiwonge Mzumara (group coordinator) leads the way in both goals as she presently enrolls four students of the University of Malawi each year to help her research on birds in Southern Malawi. Group members based in academic institutions are also helping students in ensuring that their applications to TBA are complete and competitive.
During 2010, the group's major planned activity involves the establishing of a small fund for undergraduate students. This award is intended to support research projects of two students, one at each of the University of Malawi colleges where some TBA Alumni are staff members. The amount awarded will depend on the money raised and a placement will be arranged for the two students into a senior group member's ongoing research project.
With the creation of the TBA Alumni small grants, the group hopes to carry out more research as well as ensure that university students are actively involved in whatever projects they carry out.
Sierra Leone
TBA-Sierra Leone Association |
Interim Coordinator: Abu Conteh (98/2, Kibale) abuconteh@justice.com |
The
TBA Alumni Association in Sierra Leone was formally launched on 7th
February 2009. A draft constitution for TBA-Sierra Leone has since been
prepared. Among activities planned by the group are to carry out intensive
advertisements of the TBA programmes in order to get Sierra Leoneans
better aware of TBA and its programmes. TBA-Sierra Leone will supplement
poster adverts of TBA with talks in order to get more students interested.
In addition to face-to-face meetings with members who are in-country,
the group will use electronic communications to get contributions from
members who are currently outside of Sierra Leone.
In order to boost the appalling shortage of human resource capacity to undertake scientific research on biodiversity conservation in Sierra Leone, TBA-Sierra Leone hopes for favourable consideration by TBA of applications from Sierra Leone. The group is thankful for the awards that members have received so far. They appreciate that attendance of TBA courses is not merely to build the personal capacity of the individual participants but also, more importantly, to get participants involved in biodiversity conservation and research, eventually using the skills gained at TBA courses to contribute to national development. Towards that end, TBA-Sierra Leone actively searches for opportunities for members to work in projects related to biodiversity conservation, promulgates TBA and uses expertise gained during the TBA trainings. TBA-Sierra Leone plans to periodically publish articles on environmental issues and activities of the group on different media such as the TBA newsletter. The group also aims to feature on the national television programmes on environmental issues.
Tanzania
Tanzania TBA Alumni Association |
Interim Coordinator: Dos Santos Silayo (02/2, Kibale) dsilayo@yahoo.co.uk |
In solidarity with the efforts of the TBA and her partners to impart young biology professionals with quality knowledge and practical skills, the Tanzania TBA alumni decided to form a ‘professional group’ which would be instrumental in distributing professional knowledge and sharing experience in relevant areas to bring the TBA course objectives to practice.
Although it has not been able to physically meet, the Tanzania TBA group strives to strengthen the relationship amongst its members. The group has been holding discussions through emails and several strategies for growth have been laid out. A 'Facebook' page has been created to facilitate information sharing. Using this kind of communication, a constitution has so far been successfully drafted and is presently being circulated to members for comments and inputs. This constitution is intended to define the group objectives and set out several regulations necessary for it to execute its roles.
As the group continues working to strengthen the relationship amongst individual members as well as other TBA Alumni groups, deliberate and concerted efforts are being made to ensure that each member is fully involved and that a high rate of participation is observed. Plans are underway for formation of a group email so as to facilitate communication.
The group is proud of the individual achievements of its members. Most have excelled in their professional and academic careers. Members have continued to attract research funds and participate in conservation- related activities across the country and elsewhere. The group is proud to be a part of the TBA network and appreciates the efforts made by other countries’ alumni to set up their functional groups. The TBA Tanzania alumni considers itself as one of the most privileged groups given the large number of trained professionals who have been through TBA as well as the large number of conservation programmes that have been conducted in Tanzania. The group feels that it owes a lot to TBA and has to ensure that the knowledge and skills imparted to them lives with them and also works for others.