EDUCATION
Paraecologist Training
Paraecologists are trained in basic biology as well as specific field and laboratory research skills.
International Tropical Ecology Course
The Tropical Ecology course takes place every two years at the NG Binatang Research Center in Madang and its Swire Research Station in the Wanang Conservation Area, in the lowland rainforests near the Ramu River. The 30 course participants include 10 BSc and MSc Biology students from the Czech Republic, 10 postgraduate students and early career biologists from PNG, and 10 PNG paraecologists and research technicians. The course includes instruction in tropical ecology, design of research projects and statistical analysis, practical small research projects, and field trips.
Work with universities
Training postgraduate students is amongst our principal educational activities. We train particularly Honours and Masters students in Biology. They are affiliated either with the University of Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby) or University of Technology (Lae) and resident at the Centre, where they work on their research projects. Joint training and research work of students and paraecologists is proving a particularly successful approach, as both sides benefit from the interaction. We also collaborate with the Divine World University in Madang.
See the Staff and Research sections for information on our current and past students.
After one year of study and research at BRC, Honours students (from left: Chris Dahl, pagi Toko, Francesca Dem, Leontine Baje and Legi Sam, with their supervisor Vojtech Novotny) are getting their degrees from the University of Papua New Guinea.
Work with research institutes
We collaborate closely with the PNG Forestry Research Institute in Lae and with the National Agriculture Research Institute in Lae and Port Moresby.
Work with Village Communities, Elementary, Primary and Secondary Schools
Other educational activities
- Helping elementary education in village communities – building classrooms for the Holy Trinity Elementary School in Nagada village and Riwo Elementary School in Riwo Village, Madang.
- Presentations on environmental conservation for village schools and general public (e.g., the presentations organized for the Environmental Day have typically the combined audience of about 2,500 children from several schools around Madang). More photos from grassroots educational activities here.
- Production of leaflets and other education materials.
- Oral and poster presentation at biological congresses.
- Media presentation – newspapers, radio etc. Universities