Strengthening research and innovation in natural resource management and waste management in Southern Africa Region

By Dr Kudakwashe Musengi - Senior Lecturer?

It was a great honour to be part of the validation workshop on waste management and community-based natural resources management curricula programmes in Tanzania from 6 to 8 April 2024. The workshop, held at Mount Meru Hotel and hosted by the esteemed College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), was a significant step in implementing the project on strengthening Research and innovation in Natural resource management and Waste management in Southern Africa (RiNaWa).??

On the first day of the workshop, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, Dr. George Wambura, provided an overview of the RiNaWa project and its expected outcomes. The CAWM team then presented a comprehensive range of proposed qualifications, from lower-level certificates in community-based natural resources management or waste management to higher-level degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD) in the same fields.??

The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) and other stakeholders actively contributed to the workshop by reviewing and providing feedback on the curricula. Positive feedback was given throughout the workshop, boosting morale and engagement. The validation workshop provided an opportunity for the College and other stakeholders in the Southern African region to continue playing a pivotal role in the RiNaWa project. It helped the SAWC to start thinking about developing curricula programmes on waste management and more programmes on community-based natural resources management by first identifying the gap in the SAWC’s stakeholders' training and related training needs.?