ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya are non-profit, privately sponsored partner organisations in the tertiary education sector, focusing on scientific research, teaching and outreach in an international training centre in Siaya County in Western Kenya (see Location)
Background
East Africa’s natural ecosystems are rapidly degrading due to unsustainable exploitation and mismanagement resulting from an unprecedented human population increase combined and land use practices that are not sufficiently adapted to the adverse effects of climate change. Identifying solutions to the environmental problems requires a new class of managers and practical skills that enable timely identification and assessment of current and emerging indicators of unsustainable land use practices, which lead to land degradation.
Organizational Structure
ITCER is a regional organisation, registered in Germany (e.V.) and Kenya as an international NGO. Both, ITCER Kenya and ITCER e.V. has a Board of Directors comprised of elected Board members. These Board members include representatives from Kenya and other international experts from different countries. ... more
Members and Memberships
The members of ITCER Kenya and ITCER e.V. have so far been recruited mainly from members of Egerton University, University of Eldoret, JOUUST, and Maseno University (Kenya), of University of Bamenda (Cameroon), furthermore of University of Bayreuth, University of Hohenheim, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, and Hochschule Karlsruhe (Germany), as well as of institutions dedicated to environmental diagnostics, environmental protection, and public relations (BIO-Diverse, SNSB IT Center, Stiftung Pfennigparade (all Germany) and others).
Cooperation agreements and local universities on the basis of MOUs will be listed here.
Donors and funders to date include the University of Bayreuth, University of Hohenheim, University of Tübingen, the SES, and the AGYO.
ITCER e.V. and ITCER Kenya themselves will become partners and members in other organisations, which will be listed here.
Kenyan governmental support: County Government of Siaya, Kenya Forest Service, KEPHIS, NEMA, NGO Coordination Board Office.
ITCER’s Role
To offer high quality, use case-based training in environmental sciences for postgraduate students (MSc and PhD level), scientists, and members of various stakeholder groups from Kenya and neighbouring countries. ... more
Environmental Science Research and Training
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: integrate sustainable management of natural to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services for community livelihoods and human well-being.
- Climate Change: facilitate regional mechanisms for assessing and addressing the impacts of climate change and promote grass-root actions to build community resilience.
- Sustainable Agriculture: work and communities to promote sustainable agriculture.
Strategic approaches
Actions
Many higher education curricula focus more on theoretical aspect and have a gap in teaching of practical skills in newest methods. ITCER will fill this gap ... more
Activities
Educational Concept and Planning
ITCER bases its educational programme on international lecturers, who voluntarily share their specific expertise in particular state-of-the-art methods used in environmental research to students from Kenya and its neighbouring countries. ... more
Programme
The envisaged academic learning programme is three-fold, as we will offer
... moreExamples of Training Courses
ITCER courses offer training and skills in the fields of vegetation science and conservation, plant pathology and parasitology, omics-driven microbial ecology, soil science and hydrology, biological informatics and data management, GIS-analysis and remote sensing.
- Biodiversity and Conservation ... more
- Soil and Water Conservation ... more
- Plant Pathology ... more
- Environmental Data Management ... more
Selected Specific Topics to be Taught at the Centre
- Rhizosphere interactions impacting plant response to drought in semiarid environments
- Soil and plant-associated mycobiomes — structures and interactions
- Complex, adaptive responses of plants to changing environmental conditions
- The economic importance of insects in agricultural systems
- Interactions between ecosystem functioning and socio-economic needs of local communities
- The role of secondary metabolites in plant health and defense mechanisms
Apply for a Course
(Functional as soon as training courses are announced)
Ongoing Research Projects
A number of research projects are being established. One is already underway since Jan. 2023.
Monitoring biotic and abiotic factors that influence biomass production in biodiverse grassland
Recent Publications
The activities within the framework of ITCER research are resulting in first publications: ... more
Facilities
Google Maps
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Photo Gallery
Main building — 25.11.2021
Water tanks — 09.02.2021
Water tank tower — 25.05.2021
Main building — 25.05.2021
ITCER staff to start activities — 14.11.2020
Veranda — 20.05.2021
Secretary room — 20.05.2021
Office — 20.05.2021
Laboratory (blinders on the windows now) — 04.08.2022
New lab sinks installed — 10.01.2023
Water pond on site — 27.11.2021
Demarcated plots on site — 09.10.2021
Phytomonitoring station — 10.2021
Vegetation recording — 23.03.2022
Event — 25.03.2022
GBIF Data Workshop participants from Kenya and Germany — 27.10.2022
GBIF Data Workshop participants from Kenya and Germany — 27.10.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
Seminar and student from three universities — 12.11.2022
One day visit of students from the University of Tübingen (Germany) — 20.03.2023
One day visit of students from the University of Tübingen (Germany) — 20.03.2023
A first batch of laboratory materials (devices and consumables) have arrived from Germany — 21.03.2023
A new gate at the entrance of the site — 09.05.2023
Gallery images © ITCER e.V., 2023
Hostels nearby
Roadmap
The ITCER facilities are developing and time. While the plot of land was purchased in 2016 and construction of the first building (hosting lab and seminar room) started in June 2018 (both financed via private financial means), the final finishes to the building are expected for mid-2022. ... more
Location
LOCATION OF TRAINING CENTRE
ITCER is placed in Ng’iya along the road leading to Nyang’oma Kogelo. As such it is located in Siaya County in Western Kenya, 60 km by road from Kisumu at Lake Victoria (see Site map).
... more
Google Maps
By clicking on the map to use Google Maps, information, including your IP address, is transmitted to and stored on a server belonging to Google in the USA. By using this service you confirm that in this regard you are in agreement and the recording, processing and use of your automatically collected data by Google, one of its representatives, or third-party suppliers.
Biodiversity on Site
The organismic diversity of the site is continuously monitored and the data is forwarded to international platforms. A selection of plants, fungi, animals and other organisms is presented here. It can whet your appetite to go on a plant, bird or insect safari, which can be done on site and in the surrounding area.
cf. Crotalaria sp. (Fabaceae, Faboideae) — 20.06.2022
Indigofera volkensii (Fabaceae, Faboideae) — 28.06.2022
Vigna luteola (Fabaceae, Faboideae) — 13.07.2022
Senna bicapsularis (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) [art pos] — 25.06.2022
Chamaecrista mimosoides (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) — 09.03.2022
Plectranthus ecklonii (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae) — 18.03.2022
Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) — 19.07.2022
Urena lobata (Malvaceae, Malvoideae) — 09.03.2022
Ipomoea fistulosa (Convolvulaceae, Convolvuloideae) — 07.03.2022
Hewittia malabarica (Convolvulaceae, Convolvuloideae) — 09.03.2022
Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae, Rauvolfioideae) — 23.06.2022
Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae) — 06.06.2022
Solanum incanum (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) — 07.03.2022
Commelina benghalensis (Commelinaceae, Commelinoideae) — 04.07.2022
Vincetoxicum sylvaticum (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) — 19.07.2022
Lantana trifolia (Verbenaceae, Lantanoideae) — 03.03.2022
Euphorbia heterophylla (Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbioideae) — 04.07.2022
Bothriocline inyangana (Asteraceae, Cichorioideae) — 07.03.2022
Crassocephalum crepidioides (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 14.03.2022
Guizotia scabra (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) and Apis mellifera scutellata (Apidae, Apinae) — 09.03.2022
Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 06.06.2022
Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 04.07.2022
Striga hermontheca (Orobanchaceae, Rhinantheae) — 19.07.2022
Uraeginthus bengalus (Estrildidae) and fallen twigs of planted Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) — 18.03.2022
Lanius collaris (Laniidae) — 02.03.2022
Passer cf. rufocinctus ♀ (Passeridae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) and Convolvulaceae sp. — 16.03.2022
Lophaetus occipitalis (Accipitridae) — 27.05.2022
Trachylepis striata (Scincidae) and cemented surface — 01.03.2022
Apis mellifera scutellata (Apidae, Apinae) and Guizotia scabra (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 09.03.2022
Synagris analis (Vespidae, Eumeninae, Odynerini) and Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) — 18.03.2022
Rhynchium marginellum (Vespidae, Eumeninae, Odynerini) and dry reed — 12.03.2022
Sceliphron spirifex (Sphecidae) and Crotalaria comosa (Faboideae) — 26.02.2022
Belonogaster cf. juncea (Vespidae, Polistinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 25.06.2022
Chrysis lincea (Chrysididae, Chrysidinae) and dead wood — 16.03.2022
Formicidae sp. and Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) — 28.06.2022
Papilio demodocus (Papilionidae) — 23.02.2022
Junonia sophia (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 20.06.2022
Junonia chorimene (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) — 20.06.2022
Junonia terea (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 03.03.2022
Junonia oenone ♂ (Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae) — 20.06.2022
Neptis kiriakoffi (Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae, Neptini) — 20.06.2022
Acraea serena agg. ♂ (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) — 14.03.2022
Acraea encedon f. fumosamale (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) and Poaceae sp. — 19.07.2022
Hypolimnas misippus ♀ (Nymphalidae) and Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 28.06.2022
Hypolimnas misippus ♂ (Nymphalidae) and Lantana camara (Verbenaceae, Lantanoideae) — 22.07.2022
Danaus chrysippus f. dorippus (Nymphalidae, Danainae) — 10.05.2022
Yphtima cf. doleta (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) and Poaceae sp. — 20.07.2022
Cacyreus marshalli (Lycaenidae) and Poaceae sp. — 06.06.2022
Zizeeria knysna ♀ (Lycaenidae) — 19.07.2022
Leptotes pirithous (Lycaenidae) and Vigna luteola (Fabaceae, Faboideae) — 13.07.2022
Eretis lugens (Hesperiidae, Tagiadinae) — 27.07.2022
Mocis conveniens (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) and Poaceae sp. — 25.06.2022
Mocis cf. mayeri (Erebidae, Erebinae, Euclidiini) — 16.06.2022
Parachalciope deltifera (Erebidae, Erebinae) — 04.07.2022
Rhanidophora cinctigutta (Erebidae, Erebinae, Calpinae) — 13.07.2022
Chiromachla leuconoe (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) — 12.03.2022
Alpenus maculosa (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) — 22.06.2022
Amata schellhorni (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Syntomini) — 12.03.2022
Ceryx fulvescens (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Syntomini) and Poaceae sp. — 20.06.2022
Amyna axis (Noctuidae, Bagisarinae) and Dovyalis caffra (Salicaceae, Salicoideae) (planted) — 02.03.2022
cf. Ozarba sp. (Noctuidae) — 27.07.2022
Erebidae sp. and Poaceae sp. — 21.07.2022
Zebronia phenice (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) — 06.06.2022
Spoladea recurvalis (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) and Poaceae sp. — 20.06.2022
cf. Samea ecclesialis (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) and Poaceae sp. — 26.06.2022
Diasemia monostigma (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) — 23.06.2022
Aphelia cf. elegans (Tortricidae, Tortricinae) — 06.06.2022
Eretmocera sp. (Scythrididae, Scythridinae) — 25.06.2022
Adela sp. (Adelidae, Adelinae) and Poaceae sp. — 25.06.2022
Aciptilia sp. (Pterophoridae, Pterophorinae) — 27.07.2022
Hycleus tinctus (Meloidae, Meloinae) on Hewittia malabarica (Convolvulaceae, Convolvuloideae) — 27.05.2022
Diplognatha cf. gagates (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) — 04.08.2022
Cheilomenes sulphurea (Coccinellidae, Coccinellinae) — 21.07.2022
Lilioceris sp. (Chrysomelidae, Criocerinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 07.06.2022
Monolepta cf. bivittata (Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae) — 21.07.2022
Conchyloctenia hybrida (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) and Solanum incanum (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) — 19.07.2022
Aspidomorpha sp. (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 28.10.2022
Hypolixus sp. (Curculionidae, Lixinae) — 21.03.2022
cf. Anthonomus sp. (Curculionidae, Curculionidae) — 04.08.2022
Curculionidae sp. — 13.07.2022
Lycus cf. trabeatus (Lycidae, Lycinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 28.06.2022
Rhagonycha fulva (Cantharidae, Cantharinae, Cantharini) sp. — 05.07.2022
Lagriinae sp. — 26.07.2022
Calidea dregii (Scutelleridae, Scutellerinae) and Poaceae sp. — 12.03.2022
Sphaerocoris testudogrisea (Scutelleridae, Scutellerinae) — 03.03.2022
Aspavia armigera (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Eysarcorini) and Poaceae sp. — 20.07.2022
Agonoscelis versicoloratus (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Agonoscelidini) and Sida acuta (Malvaceae) — 23.03.2022
Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Cappaeini) — 05.07.2022
Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Cappaeini) — 04.08.2022
Caura rufiventris (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Cappaeini) (nymph) Killinga cf. brevifolia (Cyperaceae) — 26.06.2022
cf. Dolycoris sp. (Pentatomidae, Pentatominae, Carpocorini) — 20.06.2022
Anoplocnemis curvipes (Coreidae, Coreinae, Mictini) — 03.03.2022
cf. Coreus sp. (Coreidae, Coreinae, Coreini) and Solanum incanum (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) — 23.06.2022
Myrmoplasta vittiventris (Pyrrhocoridae) and Poaceae sp. — 26.07.2022
Spilostethus furcula (Lygaeidae, Lygaeinae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae, Asteroideae) — 02.03.2022
Riptortus dentipes (Alydidae) — 04.07.2022
Rhynocoris tristis (Reduviidae) — 20.06.2022
Rhynocoris sp. (Reduviidae, Harpactorinae) (nymph) and Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae) [background] — 20.06.2022
Rhynocoris tristis (Reduviidae) (imago, eggs) — 11.03.2022
cf. Reduviiidae sp. and Lantana trifolia (Verbenaceae) — 26.07.2022
Hydara tenuicornis (Coreidae, Coreinae, Hydarini) and Poaceae sp. — – 16.06.2022
Hydara tenuicornis (Coreidae, Coreinae, Hydarini) — – 09.06.2022
Hemiptera sp. (nymph) — 25.06.2022
cf. Eurybrachidae sp. — 23.06.2022
cf. Aphrophora sp (Aphrophoridae, Aphrophorinae) and Tylosema fassoglensis (Fabaceae, Cercidoideae) — 16.06.2022
cf. Poophilus terrenus (Aphrophoridae, Aphrophorinae, Ptyleini) — 23.06.2022
Locris cf. rubra (Cercopidae, Cercopinae) — 27.07.2022
cf. Oxyrachis sp. (Membracidae) — 22.07.2022
Plecia sp. (Bibionidae, Pleciinae) — 21.07.2022
Chrysomya marginalis (Calliphoridae, Chrysomyinae) — 06.06.2022
Bombomyia discoidea (Bombyliidae, Bombyliinae) — 20.06.2022
Diopsis mayae (Diopsidae) and cf. Amaranthus pungens (Amaranthaceae, Gomphrenoideae) — 27.07.2022
Toxomerus floralis (Syrphidae, Syrphinae) and Poaceae sp. — 04.07.2022
Episyrphus trisectus (Syrphidae, Syrphinae) and Poaceae sp. — 22.07.2022
cf. Thelaira sp. (Tachinidae, Dexiinae) — 20.06.2022
cf. Chrysops sp. (Tabanidae, Chrysopsinae) — 03.03.2022
Sepedon cf. nasuta (Sciomyzidae) — 25.06.2022
Palpopleura portia ♂ (Libellulidae) — 16.06.2022
Palpopleura sp. ♀ (Libellulidae) — 18.03.2022
cf. Trithemis arteriosa (Libellulidae) — 23.02.2022
Libellulidae sp. — 26.02.2022
Mantidae, Hymenopodinae sp. and Solanum incanum (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) — 04.07.2022
Mantidae sp. (nymph) — 25.06.2022
cf. Tropidopola sp. (Acrididae, Tropidopolinae) — 01.03.2022
cf. Acrididae, Cyrtacanthacridinae sp. — 18.03.2022
Acrididae, Cyrtacanthacridinae sp. — 15.03.2022
cf. Neoscona sp. ♀ (Araneidae, Araneinae) — 29.03.2022
Thyene inflata (Salticidae, Salticinae) — 31.10.2022
cf. Hyllus sp. (Salticidae, Salticinae) — 04.07.2022
cf. Pleuroloma sp. (Xystodesmidae) and clay soil — 18.03.2022
Achatina sp. (Achatinidae) — 14.03.2022
Gallery images © ITCER e.V., 2023
Resources
Photomonitoring records of a wide range of macroorganismic species and their interaction.
Information for ethnological studies, compiled from internet sources.
Biodiversity Information Resources
- GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility (Kenya)
- EOL — Encyclopedia of Life
- Biodiversity Atlas Kenya
- Africa Wild
Donation and Membership
ITCER welcomes everyone interested in contributing to the training and communication of environmental science relevant for local communities in East Africa. ... more
Contact
ITCER e. V.
A non-profit association according to the German law
Seat of the association in Bayreuth, Germany
Registered by Amtsgericht Bayreuth in July, 2016
Raabestraße 3
95444 Bayreuth, Germany
Email: ITCER@gmx.net
IBAN: DE02 7735 0110 0038 0896 11
ITCER Kenya
A non-profit NGO according to the Kenyan law
Seat of the association in Siaya, Kenya
Registered by NGO Coordination Board Nairobi in September, 2017
P.O. Box 300
Siaya 40600, Kenya
Email: ITCER-Kenya@gmx.net