Top photo from left, Pedro Inácio Vontade Welile, Chailete da Celina Dias, Teresa Benedito Mainga and João Castro Eduardo, the first Marc Stalmans Fellowship for Science recipients.
Four Mozambican students—Pedro Inácio Vontade Welile, Chailete da Celina Dias, Teresa Benedito Mainga and João Castro Eduardo—are the first four recipients of Dr. Marc Stalmans Fellowship for Science awards.
Gorongosa Science Director Dr. Susana Carvalho congratulated the first four recipients.
“It is with great emotion and honor that we see the four of them beginning their university courses with a scholarship named after a mentor, conservationist, and wonderful human being,” Carvalho said. “We thank our generous donors and the entire science and communication team that helped create this scholarship. The goal is to impact hundreds of young Mozambicans locally and globally.”
Pedro Welile will study biological sciences at UniPungué. Chailete Dias will study forestry engineering (as did Dr. Marc Stalmans) at ISPM. Teresa Mainga will study the ecology and conservation of terrestrial biodiversity at Eduardo Mondlane University, and João Castro Eduardo will study Biological Sciences at UniLurio.
Created this year by the Gorongosa Restoration Project, the fellowship honors and perpetuates the legacy of scientific excellence, evidence-based conservation, and human inspiration fostered by the late Director of Science for Gorongosa National Park.
This fellowship aims to support and inspire a new generation of scientists committed to conservation, scientific rigor, and the long-term mission of Gorongosa, promoting science in service of nature and communities, and reinforcing the Park’s role as a center of knowledge, innovation, and leadership in conservation science in Africa.
Dr. Marc Stalmans’s complete dedication to conservation and scientific research has profoundly marked the lives of countless colleagues, students, and interns. His passion, rigor, and vision as Director of Science at Gorongosa National Park were instrumental in transforming the Park into a global center of excellence in biodiversity protection, inspiring generations to pursue careers in science and conservation.
The creation of this annual scholarship, which bears his name and is intended to support Mozambican students, is the result of a joint effort with his family to perpetuate a legacy that combines scientific excellence, human commitment, and lasting impact.
We recall with particular significance his words, which continue to guide Gorongosa’s vision: “An essential part of our work is to improve the lives of the people who live around the Park because many of the problems of overexploitation of natural resources that threaten biodiversity are linked to poverty and lack of knowledge. Our focus on economic development and education of local communities is a key factor in any success we have achieved. We hope that our model, which integrates conservation and sustainability with the socio-economic development of the population, can serve as an inspiration for other African countries.”
Annually, four young people from the Park’s Sustainable Development Zone (SDZ: Gorongosa, Nhamatanda, Maringue, Cheringoma, Dondo and Muanza), finalists of the internship in the Scientific Department, will benefit from funding for scholarships to attend national higher education institutions.
The Marc Stalmans Scholarship for Science will support a total of 48 Mozambican students over 16 years: there will be no graduations in the first 4 years, followed by 4 graduations per year for 12 years, culminating in 48 graduates – a structuring investment in Mozambique’s human, scientific and community capital.
The funders of this initiative are Ms. Bryn Freedman (USA) and the Greg Carr Foundation, to whom the Gorongosa Restoration Project expresses its deep gratitude for their vision, generosity and commitment to science, education and the future of the country.
About the Gorongosa Restoration Project
The Gorongosa Restoration Project is a co-management partnership between the Government of Mozambique and the Greg Carr Foundation, a US philanthropic institution. Over the past two decades, the project has gained international recognition as “the largest wildlife restoration in history” (National Geographic) and has been widely praised for its integrated model of biodiversity conservation and human development.
The Gorongosa Restoration Project is based on the belief that healthy ecosystems directly benefit people, and that communities with improved living conditions, education, and opportunities become active partners in protecting Gorongosa National Park, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.
For more information about the Gorongosa Restoration Project or to schedule an interview with someone involved in the Project, please contact Vasco Galante by WhatsApp (+258 82 297 0010) or email (vasco@gorongosa.net).
For general information, please visit our website at www.gorongosa.org. You may follow the daily activities of Gorongosa National Park here: https://www.facebook.com/gorongosa