The International University of Andalusia, known by its Spanish acronym UIA, has developed a Master’s Degree in Management, Conservation, and Control of Species in International Trade. The degree is organised in collaboration with the University of Córdoba, and the course of study has been held five times so far at the UIA in Baeza, Jaen (Spain).
Participants attend 400 hours of lectures and practical training. Practical training takes place in different organisations in Spain (such as the Barcelona Zoo, Cordoba Botanical Garden, and Barajas Customs Office). To obtain the Master’s Degree, participants must pass all the course modules and the final exam as well as preparing a thesis on a specific CITES topic. The thesis is assessed and graded by a special academic commission at IUA. The first two Master’s courses were conducted entirely in Spanish, so only Spanish-speaking students attended. The last three courses were given in both Spanish and English, and the students came from around the world, particularly from developing countries, and included many people who are responsible for implementing CITES in their own countries. There are approximately 60 lecturers who come from different countries and organisations, and they have expertise in different aspects of CITES, such as the Convention Secretariat, CITES management and scientific authorities, enforcement bodies, NGOs, international organisations, and public relation services.
This course of study provides solid training for implementing CITES. It also provides a forum for people on CITES issues to develop personal contacts with colleagues from other countries as well as with key CITES experts and officials. This has the practical effect of facilitating communication, collaboration, and coordination among States and different organisations involved in implementing and enforcing CITES.
In 2006, the UIA and University of Córdoba expanded their post-graduate offerings to include a Doctorate Degree in “Management, Access and Conservation of Biodiversity: The International Framework” and a Master’s Degree in “Management, Access, Conservation, and Control of Species: The International Framework.” These courses examine the workings of related MEAs, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Cartagena Protocol, and CITES.
For more information, contact Prof. Dr. Margarita África Clemente Munoz at cr1clmum@uco.es or IUA at machado@uniaam.uia.es