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(ANS – Maputo) - The Instituto Superior Dom Bosco (ISDB) in Maputo is reinforcing its mission to integrate research, innovation, and university extension with a strong focus on environmental care. This vision aligns with the Salesian ethos of fostering responsible citizens dedicated to preserving the planet, or as they call it, the "common home."
Research for Sustainability
The Cadernos do ISDB, a biannual academic journal, is a cornerstone of the institution’s research efforts. It provides a platform for scientific debate and dissemination, promoting critical thinking and driving social and environmental transformation through rigorous research.
Innovation and Extension: Community as a Laboratory
ISDB’s innovation thrives in its community engagement. Located in Bairro Luís Cabral, on the outskirts of Maputo, the institute extends its academic reach through practical interventions that address local needs.
A standout project is the Improved Cookstoves (ICS) Distribution Project, in partnership with Eni Rovuma Basin BV (ERB). Since 2023, the initiative has distributed 75,355 cookstoves across 21 neighborhoods in Maputo, benefiting semi-urban and rural families.
Tangible Social and Environmental Impact
The project delivers benefits on multiple levels:
Economic: Families save money on charcoal, allowing resources to be redirected toward education or nutrition.
Health: Reduced smoke emissions from efficient stoves prevent respiratory, ocular, and skin diseases.
Environmental: Locally, it reduces deforestation; globally, it mitigates climate change by lowering CO₂ emissions.
Revenue from carbon credits generated by the project is reinvested into ISDB’s scholarship programs, supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. This creates a network of skilled professionals ready to address contemporary challenges.
Integral Ecology: Education Meets Spirituality
ISDB integrates environmental care into its educational framework, inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ and the Salesian Society’s sustainability initiatives. The ISDB Environmental Commission promotes ecological awareness within the academic community, merging education with spirituality to foster a holistic approach to environmental stewardship.
This mission is further supported by international cooperation, including the Spanish-backed “Jóvenes en Desarrollo” program, which strengthens educational and environmental projects in Mozambique.
Acknowledgment and Future Potential
The recent visit of Don George Thadathil SDB, the General Coordinator for Salesian Higher Education International, highlighted the importance of ISDB’s work and explored its potential for further growth. By combining science, faith, and community-driven action, ISDB exemplifies how integral ecology can transform lives, nurture hope, and build a sustainable future.
Antonio Goba
Office of International Education, ISDB, Maputo
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