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Issue 00478 |
July 21 - 27, 2007 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Local News |
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Mweka gears up to establish natural
history museum by Samson Waigwa Some Sh. 1.2 billion is needed for the construction of a natural history museum at the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka near Moshi, according to the principal DeoGratias Gamassa. So far some Sh. 50 million has been promised by the World Wide Fund for Nature, he told members of the East African Legislative Assembly who visited the college on Saturday. Mr. Gamassa said the museum would be used to preserve different types of animal collections principally for research and training purposes but also for viewing by nature lovers and tourists. The college has a large stock of animal remains and parts, some of which are on display at Major Kinloch' Hall, a landmark structure at the college, and ample land to construct the facility. The principal said the college was keen to have a museum in order to preserve animal collections made by its researchers and students over the years. The college, located 14 kilometres outside Moshi, was established in 1963 and had trained over 4,000 students from 51 countries worldwide. According to him, CAWM has an area of 60 hectares and that less than a half is developed. He further told the regional MPs that a funds mobilisation programme was underway and that so far only WWF, one of the college's collaborative partners, has donated funds. "With limited funds we may be forced to reduce the size of the museum or build it in phases" Mr. Gamassa explained. The college offers five different types of long courses and several short and tailor-made courses, the latter ranging from two to 12 weeks. Long courses lasts between six months and three years. These are special course on wildlife management ( six months) while certificate and postgraduate diploma takes one year each. Ordinary diploma and advanced diploma courses last two and three years respectively. While the museum project is underway, CAWM has just been registered with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation for access to global online research in agriculture. Under the initiative, the college
is provided access to major scientific journals in agriculture and
related biological, environmental and social sciences information free
of charge or at low cost. |
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