University Botanical garden launching

6 ,463 000 CFA Frs worth subscription, a pivot for growth

Dschang,UDs/SIC-08/08/20. During the official launching of the University Botanical garden after the award of Recognition Certificates to some Partners and Associations, the Vice-Chancellor in his closing remarks lauded participants for their commitment and support to the project. He described the occasion as a memorable one and stressed that the idea of one citizen one tree and the creation of a botanical garden in the university was not by chance but rather stemmed from a well concerted , nourished idea and benefiting from a high degree of professionalism and competence. Prof Nanfosso highlighted that the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences of the institution was the bedrock for the training of most engineers not just of  the country but Africa at large and underscored the need for such a project by the University of Dschang in fighting environmental degradation worldwide. He mentioned the institution’s desire to uphold the ecosystem and the necessity to be part of such a project on its own site. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that in the strategic plan of the university, the need for sustainable development is primordial and the availability of a plethora of technical knowhow is abundant to ensure the realization of such a project.  It is worth noting that the Botanical Garden project covers a total 13.72 hectares of land and is divided into 4 parcels of lands hosting; a Forestry parcel, an Agro-forestry parcel, a medicinal plantation and bamboo tree parcel. So far 2073 holes have been dug with specifications to host the plant tree seedlings, 600 tree seedlings of different tree species were readily available, 196 bamboo seedling plants in stock with planting specifications on ground as recommended by The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan) INBAR. There are 400 different varieties of fruit plants ready for planting and a touristic site, a zone for a herbarium and a fish pond mapped out in the project to be executed in long term.

Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso emphasized that the project was aimed to contribute as a conservation center, a pedagogic platform- a center for multi-disciplinary research of integrated sciences, and touristic and recreational center. He thanked the financial partners and appreciated their zeal in joining the project stating that four continents accepted to accompany the project, with 14 countries and 154 subscribers in Cameroon so far. He indicated that  the project had 145  subscribers in Africa ; from Cameroon ,South  Africa,  Ghana  and the Central African Republic, 2 subscribers from America;  Canada and United States, 2 subscribers from Asia -Japan  and China,5  from Europe ; Belguim, UK, Scotland, Germany  and France  giving a total worth of subscribers at 6,463, 000 frs CFA Frs excluding the subscription pledged of 1.5million frs CFA by the Dschang Council and  Lord Mayor Mr Jaquis Kemleu.  A total number of material donations stood at 1157 plants offered to the project so far.  The VC stated that Dschang is the starting point and will spread to different towns and universities. He thanked all the national and international partners, associations as well as public and private enterprises. He expressed a sense of satisfaction, and indicated that the institution’s vision tied with the world’s vision and called on all to be ambassadors of the project as he appreciated the collective dynamics on the national and international scene./