Education Bursaries

The Wilderness Trust is already acknowledged as a leader in the educational process thanks to innovative programmes that aim to educate the youth of Africa, inspiring and assisting them so that they can continue to preserve their magnificent natural heritage. 

In its continuing efforts to educate the youth of Africa, the Trust initiated the Education Bursaries Programme in 2006, funding bursaries for students at the post-graduate level in the wildlife and environmental fields. The first recipient, over 2006-7, was Gayle Pedersen who completed her Master's thesis in late 2008.

Enos Mngomezulu was the recipient of a bursary  in 2008. With the funding he duly completed his studies in Natural Resource and Protected Area Management at the Southern African Wildlife College, passing with distinction. The overall aim was to have someone within the Makuleke community trained with the knowledge necessary to manage the resources of the Makuleke Concession in the Kruger National Park.

In 2008, the project was expanded and more funding devoted to it so that more than one student per year could be assisted. It was decided that bursaries would be offered at the following universities in South Africa: University of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria University and University of Cape Town. 

In addition, many of the Trust's other projects are assisting researchers - whether directly or indirectly - in completing their MSc. or PhD. studies, so that the Trust is not only helping individuals with their continuing education but aids in the progress or completion of their research projects so that conservation in Africa as a whole benefits.