The International Master in “Sustainable Biodiversity Management and Conservation”: A Training Option Contributing to Primate Conservation Programmes in Madagascar and the Comoros

One of the main problems in Madagascar and the Comoros is in the limited availability of training opportunities in the field of biodiversity management and conservation. The SCORE project focuses on improving academic and educational quality, and on strengthening endogenous processes of economic and social development (the project is funded by the EDULINKACP- EU Cooperation Programme in Higher Education 9th EDF, under grant agreement no. ACP RPR 118 # 36). To reach these objectives, a 2 years master course in ‘Sustainable Biodiversity Management and Conservation’ was implemented, in line with current European guidelines, by the Faculté des Sciences et Technique de l’Université des Comores together with the University of Mahajanga (Madagascar), working in collaboration with ENS of Antananarivo (Madagascar) and the University of Torino (Italy). The number of student was limited to 28, out of 68 applications. Teaching activities comprised lessons and practicals held in Moroni and Mahajanga, and field work. A laboratory of microscopy and information technology was installed, and a 3-month period in a public or private institution in the field of nature conservation was organised. We consider this traineeship an added value of the master’s degree. Students will have the opportunity of working with professionals, will gain expertise in the field of biological conservation and will produce a final dissertation. The subjects of the master’s project include animal and plant diversity, in both marine and terrestrial habitats. Six students will focus on one rare endemic primate species belonging to the genus Eulemur , Microcebus or Avahi . The work experience periods are also expected to reinforce connections between academic and other, non-academic, institutions.