Novia UAS Hosts Students from Zanzibar for Marine Spatial Planning Project

This week, the Degree Programme in Natural Resources, Sustainable Costal Management is hosting a delegation of 2 lecturers and 4 students from Novias' partner university- The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), in Tanzania. This visit is part of the activities of an ongoing project, “Finland-Zanzibar Marine Spatial Planning for a Sustainable Blue Economy” funded under the framework of the Team Finland Knowledge Programme by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Since Monday 11th March the delegation has participated in a course focusing on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), conducted as a series of workshops using innovative pedagogical tool such as the MSP challenge. The tool allows students to visualize, plan and simulate Marine Spatial Planning as well as see the impact of their planning on the marine environment. The workshops allow students to develop their Marine Spatial Planning skills, develop their teamwork skills, learn stakeholder management, and conduct environmental assessment among other things.

During their visit, the guest will also have the opportunity to meet and discuss with a representative from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE).

In the next exchange visit, Novia UAS’ students and lecturer will be visiting SUZA in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

"It is always a pleasure to collaborate on interesting project especially around important topics such as Marine Spatial Planning as it contributes to a Sustainable Blue Economy.", says Stefan Heinänen at Novia UAS.