master education and research program on ...

CAS-041: Program on Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Suriname

MASTER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM ON SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN SURINAME Ried Nurmohamed1, Jerry R. Toelsie2, Andre Vervoort3 and Robert De Wulf4 1,2

Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

3

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; E-mail: [email protected] 4

Universiteit van Ghent, Belgium; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Suriname has abundant natural resources, which are able to support economical development during the next decades. However, strong human impacts (e.g. small scale illegal mining, over pumping of groundwater wells, waste dumping close to water resources systems), large scale mining (e.g. bauxite, gold, road stones), climate change impacts (e.g. floods, droughts), inefficient use and protection of land and water resources (e.g. saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion), destruction of tropical rainforest and inadequate agriculture, result in fast depletion of these resources. They also threaten the livelihood of communities and are the cause of pollution and degradation of the environment and damage to biodiversity and natural products. All of this has a significant negative impact on the economical development of Suriname, while these resources should be the cornerstone for a sustainable development. To minimize the negative impacts on natural resources in Suriname and to increase the socio-economic benefits for future generations, the sustainable management of natural resources is of paramount importance. Therefore, the understanding and management of Suriname’s natural resources require academically trained scientists and engineers, and advanced research capacity. However, as yet there is insufficient expertise in Suriname. AdeKUS, in collaboration with the Flemish universities of Flanders (Belgium), is developing a new 2-year Master of Science program in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR). At the same time, the research capacity (standards of research, knowledge, skills, equipment) at AdeKUS will be strengthened in the fields of sustainable land- and water management, renewable energy resources, mineral resources, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture and natural products. This paper is meant to inform the Caribbean region about the lead AdeKUS wants to take regarding design, elaboration, implementation and management of best practice in the field of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources supported by a dedicated M.Sc. program. Keywords: Sustainable development, natural resources, AdeKUS, Suriname, Caribbean.

1. Introduction Suriname has a surface area of about 164,000 km2 and is located in the northern part of South America. About 80% of the land surface of Suriname is still covered with tropical rainforest and features many natural resources. About 13% of the land surface has the status of protected area. Most economic activities (e.g. agriculture, industries and fisheries) and infrastructure are located in the coastal part of the country. In the recent years, the Caribbean region including Suriname has been facing different socio-economic issues and pressures on the economy such as the energy crises (increase in oil prices), food crisis and security (food shortage), water security (droughts and floods due to climate change) and threats on biodiversity due to deforestation (PLOS, 2006). By international standards, many of the nations of the Caribbean are not rich in different natural resources compared to Suriname. The economy in those nations is mostly driven by tourism. The greatest concentrations of minerals most valuable on the international market are found in Cuba, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. In general, the main driving force for the use of natural resources is economic growth and the pattern of development (technology, and patterns of production and consumption). It is expected that the projected industrial growth in the world, will enlarge the exploration and exploitation of natural resources also in Suriname and increase the pressure on the environment and natural The16th CAS Biennial Conference on Science and Technology: Vehicles for Sustainable Economic Development in the Caribbean; 11-13 October 2008; pp.234-239

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resources significantly. As yet, many of Suriname’s natural resources are unexplored and unexploited. A large part of the Suriname’s GNP originates from exploitation of bauxite, gold and crude oil. However, these non-renewable natural resources are expected to be exhausted within a few decades. On the other hand Suriname is blessed with huge bio-natural resources which are renewable, but these are barely explored. On the world level, Suriname features a very high biodiversity. The bio-natural resources such as biodiversity, natural products and timber products feature immeasurable economical, social, cultural and aesthetic values. Approximately 5,800 species of mosses, ferns and seed plants have been listed in Suriname, with at least 185 species of mammals, 668 species of birds, 152 species of reptiles, 95 species of amphibians, 790 species of fish and a rich source for natural products (Werkhoven and Baal, 1995). Lack of appropriate knowledge, capacity for wise use of these natural resources and sustainabilitydriven management have led to an uncontrolled use of land and water in the coastal area as well as in the and hinterland of Suriname, increased land degradation. Typical examples are illegal mining activities, uncontrolled slash and burn activities, over pumping of wells, poorly planned and implemented infrastructure works. These results in effects such as sea water intrusion in coastal fresh surface water resources, flooding, insufficient irrigation water during the dry season and local conflicts) (Buursink and GISSAT, 2002). Increased use of diesel engines for the electricity production in Suriname, accompanied with increasing fuel prices in the world, are likely to bear on the country’s economy. At the same time there is a low level of the use of alternative energy resources such as photovoltaic, solar heating and cooling, bio-energy, hydro and wind energy. At present, the entire energy consumption in Suriname consists roughly of 80% fossil fuels and 20% hydropower (the latter from the Afobakka hydroelectric station-190 MW). In the interior of Suriname and other remote areas in northern Suriname, electricity is generated by diesel fueled generators. In more than 100 remote villages there is a total of about 1 MW electrical capacity (diesel engines of 7.5-60 kW). However today only about 50% is in use, the other appliances being out of order. The recent prices increase of fuel oil and the rising costs for transporting fuel to the remote villages, increases the need for alternative sources of energy in Suriname. There is limited experience in Suriname with renewable energy systems such as micro hydropower and solar energy. Factors such as Poor knowledge of maintenance of energy systems, lack of financial resources (e.g. to buy spare parts) and floods, have lead to failure of some of these systems (IDB-Ministry of Regional Development, 1998; Tractebel, 2002). The increased bauxite and gold mining activities cause an increased pattern in land degradation, damage to the biodiversity, and environmental pollution, and threaten the livelihood of rural communities. In addition, political and economical stability in the country have boosted a large-scale development and exploitation of existing natural resources (e.g. minerals). An issue f increasing concern is small-scale gold mining in the interior of Suriname, which is not being controlled nor effectively managed. In this way many of the above issues poorly support growth in economic, social and financial situation of the society. There is special concern for indigenous people in the interior of the country that are largely disenfranchised from natural resource policy and decision-making or business development initiatives. Sustainable development of natural resources (SMNR) is therefore a solid basis for further development of Suriname. This entails sustainable management of these natural resources implemented by academically trained specialists with appropriate skills and knowledge in the field of SMNR. This human resource is as yet not sufficiently available in Suriname and the Caribbean region in general. Given the abundance of many natural resources in Suriname are a solid basis for further economical development of the society and therefore Suriname, the country should take the lead in the Caribbean region regarding the elaboration, implementation and management of sound techniques and methods in the field of SMNR.

2. The AdeKUS Initiatives Presently, these specialists cannot be delivered by the country’s academic institution, the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), because Master of Science programs are not yet organized. In the Caribbean region, two M.Sc. programs in the field of natural resources are known. The M.Sc. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management is offered since 1992 by the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados (www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes/gradprogs.htm) and compromises the themes: coastal and marine resource management, climate change, waste management, applied meteorology, and water resources management. The program is a one-year program and seeks to provide graduate students with advanced training in The16th CAS Biennial Conference on Science and Technology: Vehicles for Sustainable Economic Development in the Caribbean; 11-13 October 2008; pp.234-239

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techniques, mechanisms and policies for sustainable use and management of natural resources with emphasis on the Caribbean region. A two years M.Sc. in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development is offered by the University for Peace, in Costa Rica (www.upeace.org/academic/masters/NRSD.cfm). Graduates from this program are expected to formulate policies to advance sustainable development at local, regional and global levels, to facilitate international cooperation in the formulation of sustainable development and environment policy, and to generate strategies for environmental conflict management. Besides the mentioned M.Sc. programs there are also a few organizations that promote management of natural resources in the Caribbean region such as the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (www.canari.org/about.html). AdeKUS recognizes the problems and challenges as described above and therefore supports fully the needs and demands in the fields of sustainable management of natural resources (AdeKUS, 2007; IGSR, 2007; FTeW, 2007). This demands knowledge, skills as well as specialization, which can be delivered by research and education in an academic M.Sc. program, specializing in the theme of SMNR. Such a M.Sc. program would enhance education and research at the university and would cater for an important need of society in Suriname. Figure 1 depicts the future development of AdeKUS-FTeW from a Bachelor orientated education to a Master orientated education and research University.

Notes: 1) 2) 3)

the inside circle represents the six departments and bachelor programs at the FTeW. The centre circle represents the seven research lines of the M.Sc. in SMNR. The outside represent the parties involved in the future development of AdeKUS.

Figure 1. Organization and involvement of institutions for successful realization of the VLIR-AdeKUS-IUC program of project 4 and project 5

Since 1976, the Faculty of Technology of AdeKUS offers Bachelor of Science programs in agriculture, environmental sciences (1996), electrical engineering, geology and mining, infrastructure, and mechanical engineering. AdeKUS also conducts research related to natural resources such as development of modeling tools as decision support instruments for coastal zone management in collaboration with the K.U. Leuven (Belgium), integrated coastal zone management, development of micro hydropower in rural areas in Suriname, climate change and impacts on water resources in Suriname, rehabilitation of mined out areas in Para, wind energy for electricity generation in Suriname, capacity building in urban planning and management in the Southern Caribbean, assessment of several extracts medicinal plants for their presumed efficacy, biodiversity of high bauxite plateaus, the impact of mining on the biodiversity, the use of aquatic The16th CAS Biennial Conference on Science and Technology: Vehicles for Sustainable Economic Development in the Caribbean; 11-13 October 2008; pp.234-239

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invertebrates, dung beetles, amphibians and mammals as indicators for mining and forestry impacts and the status of and threats to the blue poison-arrow frog and large-billed seed-finch on the Sipaliwini savanna, the development of sustainable agro forestry systems in the Guyana shield region based on indigenous and maroon knowledge. In the Caribbean a few large ongoing projects are known such as: Integrating Watershed and Coastal Area Management in Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean (IWCAM) (www.iwcam.org/) and the Renewable Energy Project Caribbean (www.caricom.org/jsp/projects/credp.jsp). However, the low research capacity, high lecturing loads of the current AdeKUS-FTeW lecturers, few specialized lecturers with an M.Sc. degree and a low number of PhD’s, the lack of adequate resources for teaching and research are main obstacles of the AdeKUS-FTeW to conduct high quality research and offer M.Sc. programs for graduated students in the field of SMNR. Highly skilled academic personnel, up to date scientific equipment in laboratories, apporpiate technology, beefed up bibliographic resources, better infrastructure for education, intensive and continuous research is needed (VLIR-AdeKUS, 2007; Willems and de Nooijer, 2006). In order to fulfill the requirements of AdeKUS regarding SMNR, AdeKUS was in March 2006 selected to join the Institutional University Cooperation Program (IUC) from VLIR-UOS (see www.iuc.vliruos.be). Within this framework six projects were defined. Two of them deal with the master education and research program on sustainable management of natural resources. On April 1st 2008, the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (AdeKUS) has started a 10-year Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) with Flemish universities in Belgium, with technical, scientific and financial support of the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGDC) and the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS). The parties involved in these projects are the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (departments infrastructure, electrical engineering, geology and mining, environmental sciences, organic chemistry, the centre of agricultural research in Suriname-CELOS, the national zoological collection of Suriname-NZCS, the national herbarium of Suriname, members of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Medical Sciences (department of pharmacology and physiology), and Flemish Universities and its associated university colleges (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Universiteit van Ghent, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universiteit van Hasselt, Universiteit van Antwerpen). The project duration is 5 years and the operational budget is about 1 million Euro (VLIR-AdeKUS, 2007). After analysis of the problems in the field of sustainable management of the natural resources, seven research domains were recommended to serve as cornerstones in this Master of Science program: land- and water management, renewable energy resources, mineral resources, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture and natural products. The overall academic objective of both projects is to educate sufficient Master of Science students in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and to increase the academic standards of research in the technical fields of SMNR at AdeKUS. The overall developmental objective is to contribute to, and improve knowledge and skills in, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the fields of land and water resources, renewable energy resources, mineral resources, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry and natural products, resulting in the further development of society.

3. Methods In order to realize the objectives, the following methods will be used: (1) development and organization of a 2 years Master of Science program in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, (2) training/upgrading of AdeKUS lecturers and laboratory technicians involved in SMNR, (3) extending research infrastructure in SMNR, (4) increase involvement of AdeKUS lecturers in SMNR research, (5) exchange of knowledge in SMNR with the society through conferences and workshops, and (6) development of a web-database in SMNR. To develop the M.Sc. program in SMNR, a sequential work flow has been adopted including: (1) the formulation of arguments for a dedicated M.Sc. program, (2) description of the academic philosophy on which the M.Sc. curriculum should be based, (3) listing of objectives and final attainment levels, (4) contribution of current research to the M.Sc. in SMNR, (5) general structure, (6) assessment of curriculum building stones, (7) proposal of courses, (8) descriptions of courses and estimation of works load for students and lecturers, (9) formulation of admission requirements, (10) identification of the human resources (e.g., required lecturers) to sustain the program, social need of this program and (11) market research, (12) estimation of a budget for running the program, (13) drafting of organization and mobility schedule and (14) assessment of required infrastructure.

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The M.Sc. program will be hosted by the Faculty of Technology of AdeKUS and will be offered in English by AdeKUS and Flemish lecturers. This program is expected to start in November 2009, the duration will be 2 years and the total load is 120 credit points. The program consists of 4 semesters and each semester has a load of 30 ECTS. Semester 1 will contain general courses. Semester 2 and 3 feature courses in the different fields and group research, and the fourth semesters will consist of the M.Sc. thesis work. About 20 courses will be offered. The organization of the MSc program consists of selecting lecturers at AdeKUS and simultaneously identifying Flemish professors to work in a “tandem fashion” for the M.Sc. program, development of teaching and other didactic materials, preparation of promotion material, organization of information sessions, monitoring and evaluation of the M.Sc. program and attract sufficient M.Sc. candidates. Training and upgrading of AdeKUS staff will be provided in the form of Ph.D. sandwich type scholarships, recycling scholarship (up to 3 months) and short training programs (up to 2 weeks) at AdeKUS or Flemish universities (e.g. to improve didactic and research skills, assist with curriculum development). The different laboratories at the Faculty of Technology conducting research in one or more themes of SMNR, will be equipped with suitable scientific research infrastructure to allow for high quality research. Operational funds are reserved for maintenance and for supporting SMNR research. The above mentioned efforts provide by the VLIR-AdeKUS-IUC program, will allow lecturers involved in the SMNR program to increase research a.o. through M.Sc. thesis work, enable to prepare successful research project proposals and seek funding opportunities in Suriname and abroad. Workshops will be organized at AdeKUS to train AdeKUS staff e.g. to improve academic teaching skills, and will also be used to inform the society about the project’s progress. Furthermore AdeKUS lecturers will be stimulated to actively participate in scientific conferences related to SMNR and to establish their professional network. A dedicated website of the VLIR-AdeKUS-IUC program (http://vlir-iuc.uvs.edu/) has been put online. This site will contain information relevant to the education and research program in SMNR of both projects such as information about the M.Sc. curriculum, study guide, lecture notes, literature, instruments, research projects, publications, local organizations working the field of SMNR, links to conferences, links to funding agencies, alumni students. This web-database will directly be useful for M.Sc. students in SMNR, scientists, policy makers, governmental institutions, private sector and multinationals working in the field of natural resources, international institutes and foreign universities, and the wider society in and outside Suriname.

4. Results It is expected that after 10 years of VLIR-AdeKUS cooperation, the following results should be obtained: (1) AdeKUS offers annually a M.Sc. program in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and delivers sufficient and high quality graduates in 7 academic research themes, namely sustainable land- and water management, renewable energy resources, mineral resources, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture and natural products, necessary for a sustainable management of the natural resources of Suriname, to the society, (2) the M.Sc. program is entirely supported by Suriname human and financial resources, (3) the number of qualified lecturers (e.g. Ph.D. graduates) for the M.Sc. program has increased at AdeKUS with respect to the 7 SMNR themes, (4) by 2013, scientific equipment in laboratories and research institutes at the Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Medical Sciences has improved, is fully operational and unique for SMNR research in the Caribbean region, (5) high quality research is performed at the Faculty of Technology, (6) the knowledge in SMNR has increased and AdeKUS lecturers are able to contribute significantly to sustainability issues in Suriname, (7) the number of research publications in (inter)national events and in international peer reviewed journals, and participation in collaborative projects with local companies and the government has increased, (8) successful research proposals have increased both in quality as in quality and AdeKUS offers more financed research and services to the government and private sector in Suriname, and (9) the increased capacities for education and research in SMNR at AdeKUS have improved the general performance of AdeKUS and has enabled AdeKUS to compete in the Caribbean and international academic education and research realm.


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5. Conclusions It is expected that with the VLIR-AdeKUS-IUC program, the developments in natural resources in Suriname, and other collaboration programs with regional and international universities, AdeKUS will be a leading international academic institution in the field of education and research in sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) in the Caribbean region.

References AdeKUS (2007), Strategic Plan 2007-2015, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname Buursink and GISSAT (2002), Proposal for Suriname Land Management Project, Ministry of Natural Resources, Suriname IDB-Ministry of Regional Development (1998), Assessment of Community Infrastructure Development Needs of Hinterland Communities in Suriname, Jaakko Poyry Consulting, Suriname IGSR (2007), Toetsingskader Master opleidingen, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Suriname FTeW (2007), Strategic plan of the Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Suriname PLOS (2006), Multi-Annual Development Plan 2006-2010, Ministerie van Planning en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (PLOS), Suriname Tractebel (2002), Technical Assistance to the Formulation of a Master Energy Plan Study, Government of Republic of Suriname and Energie Bedrijven Suriname, Suriname VLIR-AdeKUS (2007), AdeKUS-IUC Activity Programme 2008, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname VLIR-AdeKUS (2007), AdeKUS-IUC Partner Programme (PP) for IUC Partnerships Entering Phase I of IUC Co-operation, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname Werkhoven M.C.M. and Baal, F.L.J. (1995), Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Suriname, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname Willems, M.P.J. and de Nooijer, P.G. (2006), VLIR-UOS Programming Mission Report, Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname, Suriname, 12 May 2006

Authors’ Biographical Notes: 1

Riad Nurmohamed is a lecturer and researcher in the Department Infrastructure at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Suriname. His research interests are in the areas of water resources engineering, climate change and natural resources management.

2

Jerry R. Toelsie is a lecturer and researcher of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences at Anton de Kom University, Paramaribo, Suriname. Dr. Toelsie is also a member of Research Group Medicinal Plants at the university. His research interests are in the areas medical plants, natural products, and natural resources management.

3

Andre Vervoort is a professor at the University of Leuven, Belgium. His research is focused towards mining, fracture mechanics and geostatistics. He is coordinator of a development cooperation project between the Flemish universities and AdeKUS, Suriname. 4

Robert De Wulf is professor and head of FORSIT (Laboratory of Forest Management and Spatial Information Techniques) at Gent University in Belgium. His research interests include applications of remote sensing for forest resource management and tropical forestry.


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