The SCORE project intends to support a long term partnership between the University of Turin (Italy), and three ACP HEIs: the Faculty of Science of Mahajanga University (Madagascar) the Ecole Normale Supérieure d’Antananarivo (ENS, Madagascar) and the Faculty of Science and Technology of Comoros University (Comoros Islands), already crosslinked through other academic cooperation frameworks. In 2002 the University of Turin signed a first cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Science of Mahajanga University, and since 2005 cooperates to the activation of the current Master in Primatology, which represents the easiest destination for Comorian students willing to continue their studies.

Moreover, in 2007 the ENS signed an agreement with the Institute of Teachers Training and Research of the Comoros University for implementing joint research and dissemination activities in the field of Education. In this perspective, the main goal of the SCORE project is to improve academic and education quality in the field of biodiversity management and conservation in order to straightened endogenous processes of economical and social development in Madagascar and Comoros.

Main Project Activities:

• Implementation of the Joint International Masters (IM) on Sustainable Biodiversity Management and Conservation. Academic activities will be mainly based at the Faculty of Science of Mahajanga University, but special seminars will involve the Faculty of Science of the Comoros University. Turin University will provide funding opportunities for students’ mobility, allowing students from both Mahajanga and Comoros Universities to attend training periods in Italy. ENS-Antananarivo will provide scientific expertise related to educational tools and strategies.
• Establishment of a long-term cooperation agreement among the 4 partners HEIs, aiming at the mutual recognition of degrees and credits, expertise exchanges at scientific and management levels, submission of joint application for external funding.
• Mobility: Lectures and practical courses will be given by visiting professors and researchers from the 4 HEIs to the students attending the International Masters (IM). Front lessons will be opened to licence graduated students from the Comoros and Madagascar Universities of Science and professors of the partner Institutions.
• Facilities for teaching, research and traineeships: Two basic laboratories for Microscopy and Information Technology will be set up at the Faculty of Science of Comoros and at the Animal Biology Department of Mahajanga. Moreover students attending the IM will be equipped for carrying out field activities (i.e. surveys, data collection for biodiversity assessment activities). The University of Turin will provide on-line tutoring service and will make accessible to students and professors the existing distance learning platform by providing free access to the teaching material related to the International Masters lecturers as well as to up-to-date scientific literature.
• Linkage with local communities: The SCORE project will provide financial support to 14 students, who attended the IM, for traineeships at natural parks and reserves of Madagascar and Comoros. A final dissemination and visibility event will be held at Mahajanga University, and will target local state and non-state stakeholders committed to nature conservation, sustainable development, tourism, and local policy definition.

ENS will implement a specific workshop session for high school teachers in order to provide educational tools and know-how on sustainable development and intercultural processes as well as to improve expertise and communication skills.