Valbio Center: extension works are in progress

The center of study and research for the development of biodiversity, called Valbio, based in Ranomafana has been undergoing extension works since 2006, which were suspended in 2009 because of the crisis. These extension works have recently been resumed and will be finished in the month of June this year. Specifically, the date of the inauguration of the new building is scheduled for June 21, 2012.

Currently, construction works are progressing steadily. The reception capacity of the building is 48 people and it includes 12 rooms for researchers and students, 3 other rooms for teachers and a conference room. “The expansion of the center is essential to improve the environment and the research facility in order to meet international standards,” said the manager in charge of audiovisual, Randrianarisata Desire.

The Valbio center is one of the largest research infrastructures in Africa right after that of Costa Rica which possesses all kinds of state-of-the-art equipments and materials suitable for the promotion of biodiversity research. In addition, the new building has a center for computer and multimedia training, a recording studio for the promotion of artists and environmental art, and a research laboratory.

Since the opening of the Valbio Center, the existing research laboratory receives an average of 90 researchers per year. Among these researchers are Malagasy students from the University of Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa and Toliara. Others consist of foreign researchers from the United States, France, U.K. and Germany.