The International University of Management (IUM) and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) have signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration in research, conservation, environmental education and sustainable development.
The agreement marks the first formal partnership between the two institutions and establishes a framework for cooperation over the next five years.
Dr Victoria Erasmus, Centre Director for IUM's Swakopmund Research, Training and Conference Centre, highlights, "Such cooperation includes collaborative research, conservation initiatives and sustainable development, capacity development activities, environmental education, research, and community outreach."
The agreement also provides opportunities for student internships, shared facilities and collaborative grant applications.
The director of research at the Namibia Nature Foundation, Professor Morgan Hauptfleisch, adds that the partnership will help bridge the gap between academic research and practical solutions to environmental challenges.
"My passion is in young scientists. We need to make our decisions based on sound science in this country; then a country moves forward. So sometimes we forget that it's extremely important that we support young people in being our next conservation leaders, leading businesses and leading industry to be sustainable."
Professor Hauptfleisch notes that conservation efforts must also focus on improving livelihoods and supporting local communities.
IUM's Vice Chancellor, Dr Hendrina Udjombala, said the partnership promotes evidence-based solutions to environmental and societal challenges.
"Together as NNN and IUM, we aim to foster innovation and academic excellence while addressing environmental issues and environmental challenges. I also like the aspect of the fact that we cannot solve environmental challenges while ignoring the people that live within those societies, within that environment. We also need to build capacity of our citizens on how to conserve the environment or how to conserve the areas in which they live in that society."
Both institutions reiterate that the agreement will be implemented to create opportunities for students, researchers and the nature industry at large.