International joint MSC Programme: University of Namibia and Humboldt University, Germany

Abstract

The MSc Biodiversity Management and Research Programme is a full time interdisciplinary and international postgraduate programme jointly run by the University of Namibia (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science) and Humboldt-Universitt zu Berlin, Germany. The main goal of the program is to build capacity to increase the number of postgraduate local and regional experts in the field of Biodiversity Management and Research. This program was designed to ”Build capacity to manage biodiversity and sustainable development in Namibia” as incorporated in Namibia governments ten-year strategic plan of action for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation (National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2001-2010). During the programme, students gain in-depth knowledge of natural-spatial features and biological diversity in Southern Africa with emphasis on Namibia, understand ecosystem functioning and human-induced impacts and the economic values and importance of biodiversity. Students also acquire skills that will enable them to design and undertake research to solve practical, relevant problems to society, using scientific methods and techniques. Graduates of the programme are employable in any biodiversity conservation and related fields including but not limited to lecturing, working for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (National Parks, Scientific Services, Tourism), ecotourism, curators of various taxa at Natural History museums, and community based organizations. Our graduates contribute to management of natural resources, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and also contribute to poverty reduction through use of natural resources to improve livelihoods of local people.