The Sunday News
Bruce Chimani Sunday Leisure Correspondent
THE Department of Forestry Ecology and Wildlife Society (FEWS) at the National University of Science and Technology is the first environmental society from Zimbabwe to represent the country in the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA) forum, which saw the team winning the bid to host the event next year.IFSA is an international forum for students that enriches formal education, supports improvement of forestry higher education in the world, gives practical experience, supports youth participation in the international decision making processes regarding forestry and the environment, gives students opportunities to collaborate with professional partners, and promotes publications on forestry.
“The Zimbabwean team (Nust Fews) represented the country and Nust to the best of their capabilities which saw them win a bid to host this meeting in Zimbabwe in 2015. This will be the first time this forum will be hosted outside South Africa,” read a statement from the group.
Students who represented the country were Shamiso Kudiwahove, Nobesuthu Ngwenya, Thabisile Ndiweni and Mthabisi Simposya, who are all students at Nust.
“This year’s forum rolled from 24 to 27 June, and students sat and watched presentations by other students and other invited professionals discussing the theme ‘Forestry research to support sustainable forest management in the southern African region’. The entourage also went on a field visit to two plantations in the local area,” the statement further read.
Although last year students faced challenges in funding themselves to represent their institution and country, this year the team managed to attend the meeting with funding from Premier Portland Cement, Paul’s Pest Control, and Matopo’s Wildlife Society which showed their great interests in empowering the Zimbabwean youth and helping the nation benefit from great activities which will help improve students’ relations in the Sadc region.
The IFSA vice-president, Sikhumbuzo Nxumalo, congratulated the Zimbabwean team on winning the bid.
