Overview

The Island Biodiversity and Conservation centre is an initiative from members of the scientific community of Seychelles, grouped under the NGO Island Biodiversity Conservation (IBC), and the University of Seychelles which provides it with logistical and administrative support.

IBC is a non-for-profit, non-governmental organisation associated to the University of Seychelles. Formed in December 2014, it aims at bringing together environmental scientists and practitioners to contribute to the development of research and biodiversity conservation in Seychelles and the western Indian Ocean region. It is a member of IUCN since 2025.

Mission

“To promote scientific studies, ecological research and conservation programmes on island biodiversity, the publication and dissemination of results, and the development of university curricula and local capacity in Seychelles and beyond”.

Objectives / Areas of Activity

• To build a group of environmental scientists and conservation practitioners co-opted by – or affiliated to – the University of Seychelles, willing to contribute to its development in the fields of island biodiversity and conservation.
• To promote and where appropriate undertake biodiversity inventories, monitoring schemes or other ecological studies in collaboration with other organisations.
• To produce or contribute to scientific or technical publications in the field of biodiversity conservation & environmental sciences, and to represent the University of Seychelles in international scientific events.
• To publish results from biological surveys or ecological programmes, and to valorise advances made in Seychelles in the fields of island biodiversity and conservation.
• To be part of the environmental component of a Research Unit for the University of Seychelles.
• To support the implementation of international research programmes on ecological processes and monitoring protocols related to biodiversity conservation.
• To provide scientific and technical guidance on environmental management, conservation and restoration programs for key biodiversity species, sites and habitats, and where necessary play an active role in their implementation.
• To develop the lecturing and student supervision capacity of the University of Seychelles for its curricula in environmental sciences; and to help UniSey to develop – or participate to – new national or international curricula in this field.
• To network and develop exchanges with foreign scientific institutions interested in biodiversity conservation and capacity building, particularly in the Indian Ocean, and where appropriate to be affiliated to such international institutions.
• To be a repository of ecological samples, data, research results and publications for the UniSey and any other national or international institutions that may have such interest.
• To raise/access funds and develop strategic partnerships in order to reach the main goal and objectives of the Association.

Aims of the IBC centre

Seychelles already has a lot of local expertise in biodiversity and conservation science, although it is scattered across many individuals and organisations or islands, working with little coordination. In parallel, the University of Seychelles is a challenging national project essential for Seychelles development that, we believe, requires the contribution of all and everyone. UniSey offers a Bachelor of Sciences course in Environmental sciences since 2012, and lately a Masters of Sciences in Marine Ecology (although not every year).

In 2015, the Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) was formed by UniSey. The IBC is closely linked to the BERI as both share the objective of supporting the development of the University of Seychelles in terms of applied research, publications of results, and academic curricula; with the IBC center being more focused on biodiversity studies and conservation.

The aim of the IBC is to encourage different experts, environmental scientists and practitioners working in Seychelles to contribute to the development of environmental sciences at UniSey and beyond. Having one foot in the university and one foot outside, the IBC center and its members are expected to foster collaboration between individuals, local organisations, private islands and UniSey, and to boost international cooperation with foreign universities and scientific institutions

IBC is part of the Research Unit of UniSey. Its activity results in scientific and technical publications associating the UniSey being produced every year in the field of biodiversity and ecology. It also allows UniSey to applied conservation programmes. IBC members are encouraged to contribute to the lecturing and student supervision capacity of the University of Seychelles, and to the development of new curricula in environmental sciences.