Before I went out for a field work organized by the ERuDeF Institute, I had believed that the management of a nursery was unskilled work. This perception changed completely when I started filling polythene bags with soil.

My just-ended internship at the Institute of Research for Agricultural Development (IRAD) Ekona, exposed me to the wealth that lies beneath modern agricultural systems.

My trip to Cameroon had begun early in the morning at the airport of Stuttgart in Germany. My mission: to join the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (ERuDeF Institute) International Volunteering Programme for wildlife conservation. A wildlife project about the protection and safety of endangered species like the Cross River Gorilla and Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee as well as several bird and butterfly species.

My one week trip to the Limbe Wildlife Centre in the Southwest Region was very exciting as I was able to spend time with different species of animals.

I had been very thrilled when the Deputy Director of the ERuDeF Institute published the internship placement notice, and I saw that I was going to meet face to face with animals I had only been reading about and seeing in pictures, books and journals.

The CEO of ERuDeF is pleased to inform the general public that ERuDeF has launched its Junior Professional Training Programme at the intention of those holding 1^st and master degrees as well as those pursuing their master research in relevant fields and wishing to work for ERuDeF. The ERuDeF Junior Professional Programme starting in October 2015 seeks to train the future staff of ERuDeF through the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies. The training duration will run from 12-18 months for holders of master degrees and 24 months for holders of 1^st degrees. Preference will be given to those having one year of relevant professional experience.

Overview

From inception in 1999 to date, ERuDeF has been on a graduation path from a small to an emerging non-profit conservation organisation in Cameroon. It is anticipated that in the next 10 years, ERuDeF will become one of the most prolific and vibrant non-profit conservation organisation in Africa. In order for this to happen, ERuDeF has been undergoing a number of reforms in terms of structural, governance and programmes re-organisation.

The Director of the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies in Buea, SW Cameroon announces to the general public that the ERuDeF Institute has recently instituted its Annual Environmental Education Awards in order to build the capacity and knowledge of Cameroonian youths and students in biodiversity and environmental management. The Annual Environmental Education Awards will seek to improve the understanding of the Cameroonian public especially the youths on the importance and the economic value of the environment and its contribution to nation building. Through this process, the next generation of Cameroonian environmental leaders will be built.

Adequate training in environmental education, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation and environmental reporting can bring about sustainable development in the country, says Blessing Limbi Tata, Deputy Director in Charge of Forestry and Agroforestry at the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (ERuDeF Institute).

OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

The course Fundraising and Grants Writing accelerates the learning curve for individuals and organisations joining the non-profit sector, compressing knowledge they would normally gather over several years on the job into a mix of classroom and practicum learning that is completed in a shorter time period. It provides an academic background to support a professional's real-world experience in the development field.

Through this process, students gain an end-to-end understanding of each phase of the fundraising process; from identifying and qualifying donors, through "the ask" and onto stewardship of the relationship for long-term support. Candidates graduate as stronger, more impactful professionals for their organization or those ready to enter the non-profit arena. 

The ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies EIBiNS now has a new Deputy Director. The new Deputy Director, Mr. Samuel Ngueping holds a BSc. in Botany and Plant Physiology from University of Buea and a MSc. in Protected Area Management from the University of Yaounde.

My first trip to the field has helped me in ways that I didn’t even think possible. The three-month field work that changed my idea of success started with Field Technician, Shu Joram, at the agro-complex at Mambu in Bafut, Bamenda, North West Region.

Some High School students in Meme, Manyu and Dian Division of the Southwest Region have expressed their determination to pursue a career in Biodiversity Conservation Studies when they leave high school. The students’ passion was articulated recently during one of ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (ERuDeF Institute)’ outreach activity, February 25-27, 2015, to some high schools in the Meme, Manyu and Dian Divisions.

The ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (EIBiNS) has sworn in eight new future conservation experts into her holistic professional training programmes. The trainees were officially admitted into key specializations like Biodiversity Conservation, Agroforestry Management, Environmental Education, Environmental Journalism and NGO & Fundraising Studies for the Professional Bachelor Degree (PBD) and the Professional Masters Degree (PMD).