A University of Winchester student is heading to Uganda this week for a month-long summer school where she will learn about managing natural resources and their sustainable conservation.
Sarah Buck, a first-year student studying for a degree in Animal Welfare and Society, has won a grant from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) to attend the natural resources and development summer school hosted by Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda from 15 July to 10 August. There are just 25 places on the course available for international students.
“Uganda’s natural resource base is one of the richest and most diverse in Africa and I’m looking forward to learning about preserving and conserving natural resources sustainably in the face of climate change,” said Sarah, who is the first student from the University of Winchester to win a grant from the ACU.
“Taking part in the summer school is a fantastic opportunity for me to gain experience studying abroad, learn new skills, make connections with students from other parts of the world and hopefully have fun. I’m also absolutely thrilled to receive a grant from the Association of Commonwealth Universities to go out to Uganda and take part.”
In addition to lectures and tutorials, Sarah and her fellow students will undertake a number of visits to museums and to the source of the Nile.
In the third week of the course, the students will undertake a field trip to Lake Mburo National Park to put what they have been learning into practice. They will also to meet the Rubaale fishing community and other communities living around the park to learn about how they live alongside the wild animals who are their neighbours.
The summer school aims to equip students with the practical approaches, knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the sustainable use of available natural resources.