ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

27.7.16 | Prof. Dr. Hildegard Westphal, Director of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) recently welcomed H.E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kheswar Jankee, the Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius, to Bremen for talks about future collaborations with research institutions in the island state.

Accompanied by Neysen Udaiyan, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Mauritian Embassy, Ambassador Jankee exchanged views with natural and social scientists from the ZMT about a variety of topics, which could form the basis for potential cooperation. On behalf of the institute Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, head of the Department of Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Matthias Wolff, head of the Department of Theoretical Ecology and Modelling and Dr. Tim Rixen, head of the Carbon and Nutrient Cycling work group, also took part in the meeting.

Topics of discussion included the blue economy, sustainable tourism, the effects of climate change and overfishing in Mauritius as well as opportunities for consultancy work in the areas of education and joint funding applications.

“We think ZMT is the right institute to work with,” Ambassador Jankee said during the talks.

Prof. Westphal had previously introduced the diverse know-how of the ZMT encompassing areas such as fishing biology, aquaculture, coral reef ecology, biodiversity, carbon cycles and research in mangroves, algae and sea grasses as well as social science topics such as governance or marine protected areas. Research stays of scientists and PhD candidates in both countries and suitable funding programs such as NAM Fellowships were also part of the exchange.

Both parties agreed to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen future collaborations.

“We are looking forward to working with Mauritius in future and are hoping to soon be able to welcome the University of Mauritius as a new research partner of the ZMT,” said Prof. Westphal after the visit.