GOSESO founder completes Ph.D. degree

 

Founder Yared Fubusa completed his doctoral degree on June 18, 2010 at Utah State University. His doctoral research was designed to be complementary to the institution-building of GOSESO. His 470-page dissertation is titled "Conservation from the Bottom-up: Human, Financial, and Natural Capital as Determinants of Resilient Livelihoods in Kigoma Rural, Tanzania."

 

The study had the following four research questions and objectives:
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  1. Determine the status of relationships between Gombe Stream National Park (GSNP) and neighboring villagers. If possible, identify opportunities to improve these relationships
  2. Determine how local society views priority problems and possible solutions-is GSNP important?
  3. Describe rural households-the people and their livelihoods
  4. Determine household resilience trends and explanatory factors-relevant for theory and practice
 
The results of Yared's Ph.D. research suggest the following five practical implications or needs for GOSESO:
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  1. Epand attention to livelihood assets through building human, financial, and natural capital
  2. Increase attention to adult practical education through "School without Walls"
  3. Expand attention to agriculture and markets
  4. Capture new opportunities related to very recent changes in infrastructure
  5. Make GOSESO a truly indigenous institution, since the goal is to have GOSESO serve the people and wildlife of western Tanzania as a "facilitator" rather than "director" of change.

The following is an announcement to the Dean of the College of Natural Resources, faculty, and graduate students from the head of Yared's Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) following his successful final presentation on June 18, 2010.

"Today I had the privilege of attending a truly outstanding doctoral defense seminar by Yared Fubusa, who is completing his PhD degree in Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management. Yared studied factors influencing the resilience of rural communities in his native Tanzania. He provided excellent representation of the kind of cross-cutting work we can and should be doing in ENVS.

As most of you know, Yared will continue his efforts on behalf of the Gombe School of Environment and Society (GOSESO) in service of people and nature in the Kigoma region of Tanzania. I am confident that he will go on to successful endeavors that make a real difference, and will reflect very well on our department. Congratulations to Yared, and also to his major advisor, Layne Coppock!"
--Mark Brunson (Professor and Department Head, Dept. of Environment and Society, Utah State University)

 

In his acknolwedgement chapter, Yared had thanked numerous individuals and organizations that have helped him achieve his lifetime dream. The following is a portion of his remarks

"Acknowledging many people who have helped me achieve this Doctorate degree has turned out to be the most difficult part of writing this dissertation. This is because, from my humble roots in a small Kiganza village in Kigoma Region, Tanzania to this monumental academic and professional success, I have been blessed to receive countless support from dozens and dozens of people and organizations.

Thanking every individual without missing others is a daunting task. But, I would like to thank all individuals and organizations who have enriched my life profoundly along this journey and for and to whom I would like to express my profound, sincere gratitude for their partnerships and friendships."
--Yared J. Fubusa

Click here to view the abstract of Yared's 470-page dissertation document. His acknowledgements chapter is also available in .pdf format here.