HOUSTON / ATLANTA / MONROVIA
HOUSTON / ATLANTA / MONROVIA
Higher Education for Conservation (HECA), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is a $5Million, 5-year grant whose project title is the Center of Excellence for Forestry, Biodiversity, and Conservation Leadership, and Green Enterprise Development in Liberia. The Theme of HECA is “Working Together to Conserve Liberia's Forests for a Secure Green Future.”
The Higher Education for Conservation (HECA) was launched on October 21, 2022, to build the skills of Liberia's forestry and natural resource workforce to support the conservation and sustainable use of natural forest resources while advancing economic development, gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
At its core is the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Forestry, Biodiversity, and Conservation (the FBC Center) co-located at the University of Liberia. The center, with the assistance of HECA subject matter experts, will facilitate green enterprise development and strengthen Liberian higher education institutions to offer improved forestry, biodiversity, and conservation (FBC) curricula and defined co-curricular activities that develop workforce soft skills.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Center of Excellence in Forestry, Biodiversity and Conservation (FBC Center), in partnership with the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), conducted the Green Enterprise Development and Innovation (GEDI) Hub launch at the University of Liberia Fendell Campus, T.J. Faulkner College of Science and Technology Complex. The ribbon cutting ceremony marks a significant milestone in providing green enterprise and innovation related training and generating green employment opportunities for Liberia’s youth. The FBC Center and GEDI hub are strategically co-located at the T.J. Faulkner College of Science and Technology Complex where “Made in Liberia” green products will be displayed at the GEDI hub.
Written by Dr. B.K. Robertson, FBC Executive Director and HECA Chief of Party
The Forestry, Biodiversity, and Conservation (FBC) Center currently supports 20 students for internship opportunities with green enterprise businesses, government, and NGO partners. Students in their final year of study were selected for a semester-long internship after a competitive selection process. In the first two weeks of placement, the FBC Center Team visited several of the host organizations to assess the progress of the interns. Some of the organizations visited include the Liberia Coconut Farmers and Buyers Union and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) on November 5, 2024, and November 6, 2024, respectively. At the Liberia Coconut Farmers and Buyers Union, the team met Mr. Samuel Jlaka, a Board Member, and Mr. Ellis T. Jackson, President of the Union. Also, at the Forestry Development Authority, the team met and discussed with Mr. Parker K. Jimmy, Wildlife Officer, and Mrs. Serena T. Mulbah, designated intern supervisor at FDA. The two organizations expressed great satisfaction and were glad to host the interns. The Team visited the Wildlife Chimpanzee Foundation who are hosting two of the interns. The Country Director, Dr. Hillers, is pleased with the interns and went on to describe some of the experiences the interns will gain at the end of the six months. Below are photos of the site visit to those organizations.
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Center of Excellence in Forestry, Biodiversity and Conservation (FBC Center), in partnership with the United States Government through USAID, hosted an MOU Signing Ceremony at the Cape Hotel. The purpose of the MOU between the FBC Center and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is to engage in cooperative educational capacity building and outreach activities with the goal of enhancing forestry, biodiversity and conservation education at various universities. These activities will include Curriculum Development, Professional Development Training Programs for University Faculty and Staff, Internships, Fellowships, Experiential Learning and Community Development Programs.
By Layli Maparyan, Ph.D., HECA Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lead
Under the auspices of Higher Education for Conservation (HECA), Nimba University launched a new women’s affinity group for female students affiliated with forestry, biodiversity, and conservation (FBC) disciplines at that institution. This new organization, to be known as the Nimba University Female Forest Rangers Platform (FFRP), was formed on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, under the collaborative guidance of Janet Y. Lolemeh, HECA Deputy Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lead, and Christiana L. Yarkpah, Chairperson of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) at Nimba University, under which the Forestry Department is housed. Mr. Allen Zorh, Dean of Academic Affairs at Nimba University, endorsed the effort, under the leadership of Nimba University President Dr. Jesse N. Mongrue. Twenty-four students and one instructor attended the formation meeting, thus becoming charter members of the Nimba University FFRP. The following officers were duly elected: Musu Gaye, President; Asatta Y. Kehmel, Vice President; Kumba Yattoh, Secretary; Elizabeth Lah, Treasurer; Betty Dolo, Chaplain; Sarah Y. Whea, Program Chairperson.
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