Year of 2025–2026
| Brazil | China | Ecuador | Ghana | Indonesia | |
| Jamaica | Kenya | Malaysia | Namibia | Nicaragua | Nigeria |
| Palestine | Panama | Papua New Guinea | Peru | Philippines | Sri Lanka |
| Uganda | Zambia (2) |
49th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries (EM49)
Duration: January 15 – July 17, 2026
Countries of origin represented in the course:
Ma. Lisa Caguimbal
Country: Philippines
Employing Institution: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Current Position: Administrative Officer II (federal/national administration)
Current Role: Ms . Caguimbal is the Assistant Head of the Administrative Unit
of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), and a technical staff member of the SWMO
Academic Background: Public Administration (M.Sc.)
Mr. Yusuf Amoke Idris
Country: , Nigeria
Employing Institution: Kaduna State Government, Badiko, Kaduna
Current Position: Special Assistant on Climate Change (federal/state administration)
Short description: As Special Assistant on Climate Change to the Governor, I serve as the state’s climate focal point, advise on policies and initiatives, coordinate multi-
stakeholder engagements, integrate climate resilience into key sectors, lead awareness campaigns, and represent the state at global events
Academic background: Public Policy and Administration (M.Sc.)
Mr. Johash Kande
Country: Papua New Guinea
Employing Institution: Department of Works and Highways, Boroko, Port Moresby
Current Position: Regional Environmental Safeguards Officer – Southern and Highlands Region (federal/national administration)
Role: I am responsible for analyzing and reviewing construction management plans submitted by contractors to ensure compliance with the Department’s design and environmental requirements. I ensure that all proposed works align with national regulations and safeguard policies.
Academic background: Mineral Processing Engineering (B.Sc.)
Ms. Monzerina Kayenat
Country: Bangladesh
Employer: We For Them Rangpur
Current Position: Program Coordinator (federal/national NGO)
Role: Leading the coordination of sustainable development projects at the grassroots level. Bridging technical architectural expertise with participatory design, local capacity building, and environmentally responsive solutions for vulnerable communities
Academic background: Architecture (B.Sc.)
Ms. Shemere Shevonese Lawes
Country: Jamaica
Employing Institution: Institute of Jamaica, Kingston
Current Position: Research Officer – Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism (federal/national administration)
Role: I support research, management, and the sharing of information on Jamaica’s biodiversity, and I help promote the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, part of the Institute of Jamaica, as a national resource center on Jamaica’s natural heritage.
Academic background: Environmental Biology (B.Sc.)
Ms. Marling Mercedes Lopez Juarez
Country: Nicaragua
Employing Institution: Engineers Without Borders – USA, Estelí
Current Position: Program Engineer (international NGO)
Role: As a Program Engineer, I review project designs submitted by EWB-USA volunteers , applying engineering judgment to provide technical recommendations and make decisions regarding the projects’ designs.
Academic background: Civil Engineer (B.Sc.)
Ms. Nthandose Juliet Lungu
Country: Zambia
Employing Institution: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mbala Municipal Council, Mbala, Northern Province
Current Position: Acting Parks Manager (local administration)
Role: Responsible for landscaping and greening (including tree planting) in the district and the general management of open spaces to beautify the district. Also responsible for the creation and maintenance of all parks and gardens.
Academic Background: Natural Resources (B.Sc.)
Mr. Muhammad Ikmal Nizam bin Abd Raman
Country: Malaysia
Employing Institution: Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA) / Society of Environmental Activists, Ipoh, Perak
Current Position: Project Coordinator (federal/national NGO)
Role: Project Coordinator at KUASA Malaysia, leading projects on forest conservation, Indigenous land rights, and sustainable resource management. Coordinates community mapping, climate resilience, and ecotourism initiatives, including cross-border collaboration with partners in Indonesia.
Academic background: Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity (B.Sc.)
Mr. Dominic Mate Mushashu
Country: Zambia
Employing Institution: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Chinsali Municipal Council, Chinsali
Current Position: Environmental Planner (federal/national administration)
Role: To ensure that environmental concerns are integrated into development plans and programs in order to enhance sustainability.
Academic background: Environmental Science (M.Sc.)
Ms. Alison Linda Ninsiima
Country: Uganda
Employing Institution: Rural Gender and Development Association (RUGADA), Kampala
Current Position: Youth Programs Coordinator (federal/national NGO)
Role: My role at RUGADA as a Youth Programs Coordinator involves designing and implementing programs, advocacy, and stakeholder management. My work focuses on climate justice, gender equality, youth empowerment, digital community development, and WASH policies and activities.
Academic background: Commerce (B.Sc.)
Mr. Daniel Otieno Ooko
Country: Kenya
Employing Institution: National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi
Current Position: Compliance/Environment Officer (federal/national administration)
Role: As the Compliance/Environment Officer, I work to prepare and proofread EIA license conditions, assist with environmental inspections and waste management, and review Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Environmental Audits (EA) reports.
Academic Background: Botany, Zoology, Chemistry (B.Sc.)
Ms. Ingrid Mariana Pino Ortiz
Country: Ecuador
Employing Institution: Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, Guayaquil
Current Position: Interim Director of Investment Services and Monitoring (federal/national administration)
Role: Provide advisory services to investors. Participate in meetings with government officials from various institutions regarding incentives for investors and regulatory measures. Develop public policy proposals to promote investment and the implementation of incentives.
Academic background: Globalization and Development (M.Sc.)
Ms. Pipit Ardhi Putri
Country: Indonesia
Employing Institution: Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, National Land Agency, DKI Jakarta
Current Position: Spatial Development Enforcement Team Leader (federal/national administration)
Role: Leads the facilitation and execution of law enforcement efforts regarding spatial development violations in Indonesia
Academic Background: Human Settlements (M.Sc.)
Mr. Anas Yaser Rabah Salahat
Country: Palestine
Employing Institution: Ajja Municipality, Jenin
Current Position: Water and Environmental Engineering (local administration)
Role: I conduct feasibility studies for water and wastewater projects, design hydraulic models, and prepare reports. I collaborate with stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and assist with procurement, planning, and implementation, recommending sustainable solutions.
Academic background: Water and Environmental Engineering (M.Sc.)
Mr. Udara Sampath Seneviratne
Country: Sri Lanka
Employing Institution: Central Environmental Authority, “Parisara Piyasa” Battaramulla
Current Position: Senior Environmental Officer (federal/national administration)
Role: As a Senior Environmental Officer, I currently have managerial responsibility for the divisional areas assigned by the Central Environmental Authority, encompassing environmental protection and environmental management, in accordance with the provisions of Sri Lanka’s National Environmental Act.
Academic background: Environmental Science (M.Sc.)
Ms. Bertha Tuvangapi Shifeta
Country: Namibia
Employing Institution: Namibia Youth Biodiversity Network, Windhoek
Current Position: Programs Coordinator (subnational NGO)
Role: I serve as a Programs Coordinator for the Namibia Youth Biodiversity Network , and my role includes developing, coordinating, and leading various projects on biodiversity conservation, science policy research, and community development through capacity building and policy advocacy.
Academic background: Microbiology (B.Sc.)
Mr. Guilherme Sperandio Madalosso
Country: Brazil
Employer: Embira Ambiental Nova Odessa / São Paulo
Current Position: Commercial Director and Co-founder (federal/national company)
Role: Leader in business development, customer relations, strategic planning, and capacity building in ecological restoration, native forest projects, and environmental management throughout Brazil.
Academic background: Environmental Management (B.Sc.)
Ms. Carolina Itzel Velasquez Arias
Country: Panama
Employing Institution: Ministry of the Environment, Ancón, Panama
Current Position: Climate Change Analyst (federal/national administration)
Role: Lead Coordinator of Panama’s National GHG Inventory, managing data compilation , analysis, reporting, and cross-sectoral coordination. Supports the development of energy mitigation policies, national decarbonization strategies, and international reporting processes.
Academic background: Environmental Engineering (B.Sc.)
Mr. Jose Carlos Zamalloa Postigo
Country: Peru
Employing Institution: National Service for Environmental Certification, San Isidro, Lima
Current Position: Environmental Specialist (federal/national administration)
Role: Evaluation of environmental studies. Compilation of various technical reports for environmental studies under evaluation. Review of procedures for several industrial sectors, including mining, hydrocarbons, and electricity. Project management tasks during the evaluation of projects.
Academic background: Project Management for Environmental and Energy Engineering (M.Sc.)
Ms. Zhu Ru
Country: China
Employing Institution: Pearl River and South China Sea Environmental AdministrationBureau of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, Guangzhou, Guangdong
Current Position: Deputy Director (federal/national administration)
Role: Deputy Director of the Marine Environmental Administration Department, responsible for organizing daily oversight of marine engineering, waste dumping, and other efforts to prevent marine pollution, as well as formulating marine environmental protection policies.
Academic background: Law (M.Sc.)
Mr. Salifu Zibrina
Country: Ghana
Employer: Eco Empower Alliance, Tamale
Current Position: Regional Coordinator for Environmental Management and Forest Sustainability (federal/national NGO)
Role: I facilitate environmental awareness campaigns and education in schools and local communities. This work is focused on environmental sustainability and the resilience of rural livelihoods in the context of climate change
Academic background: Land Reclamation and Restoration Ecology (B.Sc.)