UNIVERSITY OF PARMA AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE COLLEGE SIGN A COLLABORATION AGREEMENT TO CREATE NEW LEARNING PATHWAYS AND EXCHANGES LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR JOINT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
In an exciting development following the accreditation of the Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) Applied Diploma in Natural Resource Management, the SAWC recently signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Parma, Italy (UNIPR), facilitated by Nzatu, to promote international cooperation and mutual support.
The agreement underpins the parties’ joint objectives in the sectors of higher education, research, training and the promotion of sustainable practices, as well as cultural exchange. Promoted by the University Centre for International Cooperation (CUCI) of the University, the agreement also lays the groundwork for joint research activities and the exchange of faculty students, especially in the field of the Master’s degree course in Ecology and Ethology for Nature Conservation.
The collaboration was recently further bolstered in a meeting held at the Cascina Ambolana of the University, attended by Theresa Sowry and Jeanné Poultney representing SAWC, the Rector’s Delegate for relations with Africa Roberto Valentino, Deputy Director of CUCI, the Director of the Department of Chemical, Life, and Environmental Sustainability Sciences Roberto Corradini, Michele Sofisti and Andrea Chiesi from Nzatu Europe, and the professors of the Master’s degree course in Ecology and Ethology for Nature Conservation Donato Grasso, Cristian Capelli, Claudio Ferrari, Tiziano Travain, Antonio Bodini, Francesco Nonnis Marzano.
The agreement includes several exciting cooperation activities, including the exchange of professors, researchers and students, the joint realisation of publications, academic journals and other types of publications that may be of interest to both parties. In addition, the joint creation and development of research projects and innovative educational activities in areas of interest, as well as hosting conferences and workshops, is envisaged.
This agreement, which addresses sustainability and nature-based solutions for biodiversity and climate change mitigation by way of mainstream natural and environmental sciences, has been facilitated by Michele Sofisti and Andrea Chiesi from Nzatu, a company founded by two Zambian sisters with the mission of promoting regenerative agriculture.
The collaboration synergistically combines the academic research capabilities of UNIPR with the established field conservation practices of the SAWC, paving the way for high-impact initiatives throughout Southern Africa thanks to the presence of Nzatu as the implementing partner.
The objectives of the partnership thus include a shared commitment to sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation, creating a platform to integrate regenerative agriculture into conservation landscapes, and better coordinating activities on the ground.
The University of Parma is a public university located in Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Organised into ten departments, it is one of the oldest universities in the world with a rich history that spans over 1000 years. It comprises an academic community of more than 35,000 people, including 33,000 students and 2,000Â teaching staff, researchers and members of the technical administrative staff.
Nzatu is a regenerative agriculture model that works to produce sustainable food without interfering with natural resources and preserving wildlife habitat. Founded in Zambia by local sisters Gwen and Denise Jones, Nzatu promotes regenerative agriculture practices in Africa that support nature-based solutions with the aim of creating social impact in rural communities, protecting wildlife and biodiversity, and mitigating climate change through reforestation projects. This includes training and supporting small scale businesses involved in honey and coffee bean production.