It is with great pleasure that we announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BCSS and the Faculty of Natural Science of the Lúrio University (FCN-UNILÚRIO), intending to strengthen cooperation between both institutions.
PORTUGUESE
É com enorme prazer que anunciamos a assinatura de um Memorando de Entendimento entre o BCSS e a Faculdade de Ciências Naturais da Universidade Lúrio (FCN-UNILÚRIO), com o objetivo de fortalecer a cooperação entre as duas instituições. O MdE foi assinado na sexta-feira, 24 de julho de 2020. Esperamos trabalhar juntos para promover a formação e investigação científica em Moçambique.
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The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) is proud to join forces with Lúrio University (FCN-UNILÚRIO) via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable us to strengthen marine science collaboration, develop student exchange programs and apply for international research grants within Mozambique. BCSS is actively engaging with public, academic and research stakeholders in the country to improve opportunities both regionally and nationally which in turn contributes towards putting Mozambique in the international marine research spotlight.
BCSS is currently working in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) on three main research themes centred around the first permanent Ocean Observatory in the Indian Ocean. Theme 1 (Ecosystem Monitoring and Function), Theme 2 (Species Identification and Habitat Mapping), and Theme 3 (Migratory Fish Population Dynamics) are directly related to strategic interests of the Marine Ecology department of Lúrio University which is situated in Mozambique. Their work is mostly dedicated to the study of aquatic organisms which range from invertebrates to large mammals including oceanic, coastal, estuarine and limnological habitats. Their research contributes to a perspective of management, conservation, and biodiversity optimisation. Their Marine Ecology department is more dedicated to providing technical support to fishing communities and institutions linked to the conservation of natural resources and management of aquatic ecosystems, namely: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other organisations with similar purposes, in addition to the CCPs (Commitment, Cooperation, and Social Responsibility).
Both BCSS and Lúrio University share an extensive network of international partners in Sweden, France, South Africa, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, UK and the USA, who will actively engage in research activities going forward, ensuring that cooperation capabilities within Mozambique are also available for international partners.
“We are very excited to open a new route of collaboration and joint research with UniLurio via their marine sciences department. UniLurio and BCSS have already been actively collaborating the last 2 years before this MOU via student fieldtrips in the Bazaruto Archipelago and scientific grants writing, to give a few examples. We jointly submitted a multi-country project to the BMZ Initiative MeerWissen to strengthen marine biodiversity conservation in Africa. Proponents were UniLurio, BCSS and the GEOMAR, linking Mozambican and German researchers. We hope to engage in more collaborations in the future” – Dr. Mario Lebrato, Chief Scientist at BCSS
The MoU was signed on Friday, 24 of July 2020, by the BCSS Director and Chief Scientist Dr. Mario Lebrato, and the Lúrio University director Dr. Marcelino Inácio Caravela.
