The Tropical Biology Association (TBA) achieved an exciting milestone during its Ugandan course last year when the 1,000th biologist graduated from the TBA's field course programme. 

.	Celestine from Cameroon was the 1,000th biologist to graduated from the TBA's field course programme.

Receiving a certificate to celebrate the event, Celestine from Cameroon said that the knowledge and experience she gained will be very helpful in developing her career after the course. Many of the 1,000+ TBA trainees have set up their own national groups following their TBA training courses so that they can continue to share ideas and carry out collaborative activities in conservation in their own countries.  These trainees are also supported by the TBA Follow-up Support Programme (FuSP). Launched in 1998 with support of the BATBP its aims are to:

• keep TBA trainees informed of further training and internship opportunities, job vacancies, sources of project funding and conferences in the field of biology and conservation;
• provide subscriptions to conservation societies for TBA alumni;
• provide a means by which institutions and individuals working in biodiversity research and conservation can recruit collaborators, students or employees from among TBA students who have relevant skills and experience;
• facilitate the formation of networks of conservation institutions and professionals and stimulate co-operation and the exchange of information;
• promote effective conservation and natural resource management through catalysing research and training collaborations.

The network reaches out to over 1,000 contacts in more than 45 countries and has supported a number of alumni through MSc conservation/research scholarships.