December 10, 2009 : Watson Scholars of the Environment: Blending History, Policy, and Practice in Africa
Joachim Ibeziako Ezeji was deeply involved in Nigeria’s Rural Africa Water Development Project when he found the announcement for the 2009 Watson International Scholars of the Environment Program on the internet. The program’s “academic flesh” immediately caught Ezeji’s attention, he said. The residency’s emphasis on land use seemed directly relevant to Nigerian aquaculture, and compelled him to “drop everything and go.” As the residency comes to an end, Ezeji is not disappointed. “I feel I will be a better professional after this program,” he said. Ezeji is one of nine environmental scholars and practitioners from seven African countries who are graduating from the program this week. Read about them inside.
Areas of Interest: cultural heritage and tourism management.
Susan Keitumetse, a 2009 Watson International Scholar of the Environment, is research fellow at the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, University of Botswana. She has a PhD and MPhil in archaeological heritage management and museums from Cambridge University, UK, and a post-graduate diploma in education (geography and history) and BSc in humanities (archaeology and environmental studies) from the University of Botswana.