• Keletso Malepe
  • IRELAND: Kader Asmal Fellowship
  • University College Dublin, 2019-2020

 

My name is Keletso Malepe. A young lady born and bred in a vibrant village called The Willows Village overlooking the Drakensberg Mountain.

 

I studied my undergraduate degree and Honours degree in Geology at the University of Witwatersrand and was awarded the opportunity to pursue a Master’s in Environmental Resource Management at University College Dublin in Ireland. I was awarded the Kader Asmal Fellowship in 2019-2020 and graduated with a 1st Class Honours.

 

Moving to Ireland was an overwhelming and yet exciting journey, filled with so many unknowns and an enthusiastic heart and mind full of questions. There are multitudes of benefits and blessings attached to my journey beyond the academic qualification. My studies provided me with a worldwide view and perspective on environmental governance and resource management, which is crucial in my career field. Through my studies, I participated in multiple international projects focused on environmental governance and assessments which further enhanced my understanding. I also gained technical skills such as ecological modelling, data analysis and GIS and remote sensing.

 

For my minor research project, I worked alongside internationally recognised supervisors who are well known within the environmental assessment field and this provided me with a platform to be mentored and guided. My research project was focused on evaluating the quality of environmental impact assessment reports for tourism-related infrastructure development in protected areas: Case study of Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region in South Africa.

 

Moving to Ireland was of great benefit, personally, academically and professionally. I was presented with a great platform to network with like-minded individuals within my industry and my academic stream. Through my academic performance and my interest in environmental assessment, I was further offered a job opportunity to work as a research assistant at University College Dublin on a project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. The project is titled: Tiering of Environmental Assessment and is focused on analysing the linkages between strategic environmental assessments and environmental impact assessments in Ireland.

 

My fondest memory of my stay in Ireland is the random road trips with friends, travelling around and seeing the beautiful Irish landscapes and rich culture. My takeaway from the experience and adventure is to be daring to try new things. Step out your comfort zone and dive into a new journey and overcome the fear of the Unknown. Most importantly, use every opportunity you are granted to its max, network, socialise and make great memories. Above all else, All Glory to God. 

 

 

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