Roger Samba and J. Paul Getty Scholars 2010-2011

RAZAFIMANDIMBY Yacinthe was born in 1976 in Antsiranana, Madagascar. He is a regional Marine Coordinator within Conservation International Madagascar, involved in the establishment of Ambodivahibe MPA in Northwestern Madagascar.

He is studying for his PhD in Applied Oceanography, using qualitative and quantitative assessments of climate change occurrences and monitoring their effects in coral reef ecosystems.

"I applied for the scholarship because of the visible change I have observed in marine ecosystems during ecological assessments carried out around Madagascar, showing a growing indication of impacts related to climate effects. At the end of my studies, I would like to establish a global model of change types and the rhythms of their effects on coral reef ecosystems and species for the North region of Madagascar. In the future, I would like to see this approach effectively applied to all marine areas of Madagascar, as well as the entire West Indian Ocean."

MAHATANTE Paubert was born in 1981 in Soavinandriana Antananarivo. He is a PhD candidate at the Fisheries Institute and Marine Sciences – IH.SM of Toliara University – Madagascar. Interested in marine sciences, he joined the IH.SM in 2006, after spending 3 years at the department of Sciences at Mahajanga University.

He is benefitting from a fellowship from the Samba Roger and J. Paul Getty scholarship program of WWF US, which lasts for 24 months. Paubert is now pursuing his work on climate change adaptation in southern Madagascar after taking part in forest, coastal and marine ecosystems conservation in Madagascar since 2006.

ZAFIMIHARY Elisoa Carole is 19 years old.

She recently finished high school in 2010 and is now pursuing a bachelor's degree in Marine Science at the IHSM, University of Toliara.

"The Samba-Getty fellowship programme provides me with the possibility to finance my studies in order to protect the nature which I love."

FARALAHY Norova is 21 years old and comes from Andavadoaka within the Velondriake Locally Managed Marine Area. He is embarking on a bachelor's degree in Geography at the University of Toliara.

"The lessons I have learnt whilst working with the Velondriake projects have inspired me to contribute to natural resource conservation in my country. I decided to pursue my studies at the University of Toliara to gain knowledge and skills in the field of natural resource management. My father is a fisherman and my mother does not work, therefore, as I am one of seven children, my family is not able to support my studies at University. The "Samba-Getty" scholarship will allow me to secure my studies at the University, widening my career prospects for the future, and for the future for my family."

RAFARALAHY Seraphin is 25 years old. Originally from Andavadoaka, southwest Madagascar, he is now preparing for his undergraduate degree in Geography at the University of Toliara.

"I applied for the Roger Samba and J. Paul Getty Scholarships program to support my studies and allow me to pursue opportunities in Madagascar's higher education system in order to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to help manage my country's natural marine resources. The lessons I have learnt and the experiences I gained from Velondriake have driven my ambition to be a Conservationist like my brother, who is currently a Velondriake Association Management Committee Member."

AVILAHY Mandomba Edwin comes from Morombe, southwest Madagascar. He has studied at the University of Toliara and obtained his bachelor's degree in Environment and Biodiversity Management in 2008. He is pursuing his studies at the University of Toamasina and is preparing a Masters degree in Environment and Natural Resource Management.

His ambition is to become a conservationist. However, without financial assistance, he will not be able to reach his professional goals. This is why, he decided to apply for the "Samba-Getty" fellowship programme in order to support and secure his studies.

RAMANJEHIMANANA Livatiana has a bachelor degree in Marine Science. Now he is pursuing a Master's degree in Marine Science at the IHSM, University of Toliara.

"I will not be able to pursue my studies without financial assistance because my mother has passed away and my father is already retired. However, I have always been at the top of my class. I would love to continue to pursue my studies at the IHSM which has given me lots of knowledge about the coastal and marine environment. So, this situation pushed me to apply for the "Samba-Getty" fellowship programme."

RANDRIAMANANTENA Oly Dannick has a "Maitrise" degree in Marine Sciences and is certified as a Marine and Coastal Marine Protected Areas Manager. He is currently working for WWF Madagascar as a Project Manager in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, western Madagascar.

"My professional goal is to further evolve my career in conservation and natural resource management. Within my current role as a project manager at WWF I have gained a variety of management and conservation experiences. The Samba-Getty scholarship has allowed me to further pursue my academic studies, and to complete my Masters degree (3rd and final year) at the University of Toliara, IHSM. This further academic achievement is a major step within my career pathway and will allow me to move towards reaching my professional goal and further enhancing my career prospects within the conservation field."