Asaro man wins research scholarship

BEGA Inaho from Asaro, Eastern Highlands, is the recipient of Swire Conservation Fellowship scholarship.
It allows Inaho the opportunity to obtain a master of science in research at any international university of his choice.
Funded by the Swire Educational Trust, Swire recognises that tropical forests are one of the most critical ecosystems in the world; they are the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, housing 70% of the world’s biodiversity in just 7% of the terrestrial land area.
The committee commended Bega on his research direction, confidence, strong references, work ethic and research ability.
He completed his degree in biology at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2007 and is currently doing his honours at the same institution.
year when IBR sponsored him to do his Honours at the University of Papua New Guinea.
“I’m really happy to be the first to kick start this conservation scholarship program that Swire has initiated. The scholarship is the first of its kind in the country which offers graduates the opportunity to further their studies overseas in the area of environment and conservation,” Bega said.
“I’m going to do my Masters in tropical forest biology and conservation. I plan to return to the country and impart the knowledge and skills gained to assist in the conservation of our country’s biodiversity,” he said.”
Bega wants to focus his research on altitudinal variations in rainforest composition, structure and biodiversity in PNG.
These studies are essential to understanding how to save rainforests and minimise climate change.
The committee will help him decide which Master’s program.
Over 2 billion people depend on the goods and services provided by rainforests.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to the third largest tract of rainforest in the world and has a large forest-dependent population but has alarming rates of deforestation and illegal logging.
John Swire &Sons believes that a fundamental requirement for sustaining the value of tropical forests in the long term is improved scientific understanding of how these systems work.