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In its 50th anniversary year, the University of Leicester has marked a 40 year anniversary of its research scientists with two innovative student courses 5000 miles away in the African Rift.
14 University of Leicester students have marked a 40-year link between Leicester and Lake Bogoria in Kenya, experiencing one of Africa's greatest wildlife spectacles.
40 years ago, Emeritus Professor Aftab Khan of the Geology Department at the University of Leicester led a multi-national team of geologists into Kenya's Lake Bogoria, in a spectacular but then inaccessible part of the Rift Valley, to investigate the mechanisms of rifting some 25 million years ago.
Ten years ago, Dr David Harper, Senior Lecturer in Ecology & Conservation Biology, began ecological research at Bogoria when he recognised its unique character among the alkaline-soda lakes, only a handful of which along the Rift support the majestic lesser flamingo, the world’s only filter-feeding bird subsisting on microscopic bacteria.
Dr Harper's work was initially supported by the Earthwatch Institute but he quickly gained funding from the UK Darwin Initiative, which linked his innovative scientific results to the value of the lake and its resources to local people.
Knowledge of how ecology underpins the sustainable livelihoods of the communities that live around the Lake Bogoria National Reserve led Dr Harper to propose to Leicester's iScience Management team a PBL module which would put its students right at the sharp end of Education for Sustainable Development.
The first cohort of those students have now spent two weeks working with local people on water conservation, honey production & marketing, irrigation and swampland conservation, fish pond management and erosion & land restoration.
They were followed by 7 students from the Geography Department's new M.Sc programme in Global Change who not only studied the issues of the present but also the past history of the Rift and its spectacular wildlife, in a novel joint course with students from the University of Nairobi and Trinity College Dublin.
The biggest and the best part was literally outside the tents of these lucky students. Lake Bogoria is presently home to nearly a million lesser flamingos - a fantastic sight which only occurs about once a decade. The lake better-known to tourists, Nakuru, is empty of its most famous residents, as it periodically 'flips' into a more freshwater state under high rainfall, which occurred in 2007 and flamingos wander elsewhere.
"This is a fantastic practical experience which allows me to link my theoretical teaching with real life; I feel that I am contributing my knowledge into problem solving in a part of the world where it matters most" said physics student Sarah Jones. "Kenya is a wonderful country. Every student ought to have the opportunity to experience the wildlife and culture: it's an exhilarating but humbling experience"
Latest News
Keep your home secure and enjoy the summer | |
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 | Keep your home secure and enjoy the summerSummer burglary campaign adviceAs the weather warms up Leicestershire Police is reminding residents to secure their windows and doors every time they leave their homes. The force is launching a summer campaign to help prevent an increase in burglaries across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.... 25 May 2012 Keep your home secure and enjoy the summer |
Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde Road | |
| Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde RoadOfficers are appealing for witnesses following a robbery on Launde Road, Oadby. The incident took place on Tuesday, May 8 at around 3pm.... 25 May 2012 Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde Road |
'Protect your gold leaflets issued in Leicester | |
| 'Protect your gold leaflets issued in LeicesterAdvice leaflet issuedAdvice leaflets will be distributed in Leicester this weekend urging residents to protect your gold. The leaflets - which contain crime prevention tips and urge residents to report any suspicious activity - are being pushed through letterboxes and handed out in places of worship and community centres to raise awareness of a recent rise in burglaries in which Asian gold jewellery has been targeted.... 25 May 2012 'Protect your gold leaflets issued in Leicester |
New technology boosts independence | |
 | Adults & Communities24 May 2012New technology boosts independenceCutting edge technology provided by the county council is helping people to stay in their own homes, giving peace of mind to their relatives. Maisie Walker from Shepshed is enjoying her freedom again, despite epilepsy, thanks to Leicestershire County Council.... 24 May 2012 New technology boosts independence |
Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid | |
| Environment & Transport24 May 2012Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid Leicestershire County Council has today learned it has been successful in a bid for 4m to boost sustainable transport. The Government cash will benefit businesses and residents, primarily in and around Loughborough and Coalville, by funding schemes designed to alleviate congestion, boost the local economy and reduce carbon.... 24 May 2012 Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid |
Related News
Leicester involved in Rhino Charge competition | |
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 | The University of Leicester has broken new ground - literally - in The Rhino Charge, a major fund raising event to build an electrified fence around the Aberdare National Park in Kenya. The aim is to protect smallholders from wild animals and the forest and its animals from poachers.... 11 Jul 2008 Leicester involved in Rhino Charge competition |
Employers work with University of Leicester students to enhance employability and management skills | |
 | A programme designed to develop and enhance students' employability and management skills has been successfully run at the University of Leicester in conjunction with leading employers.... 01 May 2008 Employers work with University of Leicester students to enhance employability and management skills |
Challenge Loughborough Students to 'design in a day' | |
 | If you fancy putting some of the University's most innovative thinkers to the test, then this year?s Design and Technology degree show is the place to be.... 12 Jun 2008 Challenge Loughborough Students to 'design in a day' |
Top grades not always needed to become a doctor | |
 | Top A-level results are not always necessary for students to succeed in medicine according to an article in this weeks British Medical Journal... 20 May 2008 Top grades not always needed to become a doctor |
Loughborough University secures another top ranking in national league table | |
 | Loughborough University is ranked third for student satisfaction below only Cambridge and St Andrews in The Good University Guide, a national league table.... 24 Apr 2008 Loughborough University secures another top ranking in national league table |
Relevant News
VITAL CELL STUDY ACCOLADE FOR UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER RESEARCHER | |
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 | A University of Leicester student has achieved an extraordinary milestone in her career by being selected for a prestigious national prize.... 08 Apr 2008 VITAL CELL STUDY ACCOLADE FOR UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER RESEARCHER |
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCESTUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE | |
 | When Mr Richard Everard visits the University of Leicester on April 25th to renew the Everard Foundation?s support for Contact student volunteers and present them with a cheque, he will discover that they have had another record-breaking year of activity working in the community.... 16 Apr 2008 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCESTUDENT VOLUNTEERS WHO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
Loughborough University secures another top ranking in national league table | |
| Loughborough University is ranked third for student satisfaction below only Cambridge and St Andrews in The Good University Guide, a national league table.... 24 Apr 2008 Loughborough University secures another top ranking in national league table |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER ACHIEVES HIGHEST EVER NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE RANKING IN ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR | |
 | The University of Leicester has claimed its place as the top ranked University in the East Midlands, reaching its highest ever ranking in The Good University Guide published today in The Independent.... 24 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER ACHIEVES HIGHEST EVER NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE RANKING IN ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR |
LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST | |
 | An eminent British scientist, whose work has been celebrated among 100 Discoveries that Changed the World is to give a public lecture at the University of Leicester about his work, spanning half a century, as a space scientist. Professor Ken Pounds CBE, FRS, Emeritus Professor of Space Physics at the University of Leicester is a UK pioneer of space science and a founder of the space programme at the University of Leicester - now among the biggest academic space research centres in Europe.... 30 Apr 2008 LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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 | Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
 | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
| Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Most Read News (alltime)
House burgled in Sileby | |
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| House burgled in Sileby Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the report of a burglary in St Marys Road, Sileby. The incident happened at about 5pm on Tuesday April 4, when the victim, a woman in her eighties, heard a noise inside her home.... 19 Apr 2011 House burgled in Sileby |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
| Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Forensic Psychology | |
 | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
| Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |