Monrovia — Conservation International (CI)-Liberia and five Liberian universities have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to provide internship and training opportunities to students pursuing degree in Environmental Sciences. This initiative is being implemented under CI Liberia’s Young Conservation Leaders Program that seeks to empower young Liberian students to build successful careers in environmental conservation and management.
The University of Liberia (UL), African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), Stella Maris Polytechnic University (SMPU), United Methodist University (UMU), and Cuttington University (CU) are part of the MoUs that were signed by CI Liberia’s Country Director Dr. Peter Gayflor Mulbah and respective university Presidents and their principal deputies.
“This program aims to strengthen the students’ job experience, scientific and analytical skills, and interpersonal relationships through productive interactions with environmental professionals and exposure to appropriate working environments,” said Dr. Mulbah.
Students selected for the internship will participate in field research, workshops, and training sessions in alignment with their academic focus areas. CI Liberia will provide a working space at CI offices, including a desk and internet access, as well as payment of stipends related to internship activities.
The program will also explore opportunities for secondment of CI’s technical staff in Liberia and around the world to support Liberian universities on short-term, pro-bono basis to deliver lectures on key environmental management and biodiversity conservation topics and assist students with development and publication of research papers.
University students will join the three-month internship program after being nominated by their universities and undergoing a transparent recruitment process.
Under the MoUs, the universities have committed to building internship placement programs as a requirement for students to complete degree programs. They have also pledged to strengthen coursework on research methods to enhance students’ ability to conduct field research.
About Conservation International Liberia
Conservation International has been active in Liberia since 1999 and aims to demonstrate that sustainable development is achievable in Liberia through balancing nature conservation, production, and economic development. CI engages stakeholders at all levels, including local to national governments, companies, and communities.
CI-Liberia supports the Government of Liberia in the creation of protected areas, and the incorporation of surrounding communities in their management. In collaboration with the Government of Liberia, CI also spearheaded the creation of the Liberia Conservation Fund and various national policy processes such as the Agenda for Transformation, the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the National Interpretation of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil, mapping and quantifying Liberia’s essential Natural Capital and the improvement of ecosystems through its Blue Oceans Program.