“Centre de Recherche en Environnement et Géo-ressources” (CREGER) : Environment and Geo-Resources Research Center. The mission of CREGER is to promote research in the fields of sustainable management of environment and geo-resources in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to serve as a training framework in scientific research for environmental students at UCB and others. Its scientific expertise will be made available to decision-makers and the national and international public for consultancy in the management of natural resources and the environment. The research to be carried out within the center will focus on several areas such as ecology, ecotoxicology, water resources, climate, renewable energies and soil and mining resources. MAIN RESEARCH AREAS Area 1. Studies of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the Albertine Rift: Characterization of habitats (water, soil and air quality) and biodiversity as well as the flow of energy and matter in our ecosystems (forests, savannas, wetlands, rivers and lakes, etc.) in order to orient their management towards sustainability. Area 2. Assessment of natural and anthropogenic risks: Study natural risks (tectonism and volcanism, erosions, landslides, floods, droughts, etc.) as well as the nuisances on the environment, organisms and ecological services from anthropogenic pollutants, and design prevention, adaptation or mitigation mechanisms for these nuisances. Area 3. Exploration and documentation of natural biological and geo-resource reserves (water, renewable energies, soil and subsoil resources) as well as the definition of the conditions for their sustainable exploitation. Area 4. Studies of innovative materials: appropriate technologies for the manufacture, characterization and enhancement of these less expensive and more ecological materials will be investigated. Area 5. Study of the environmental and social impacts of economic development projects: participate in environmental and social impact assessments of projects in the offing, establish the social responsibilities of extractive industries and natural resource management. Area 6. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Apply GIS in the collection, analysis, processing and storage of georeferenced data for a progressive construction of thematic geographic databases (which will be used as sources of information in subsequent studies) as well as for the description and / or the representation of aspects requiring the use of GIS, in studies and environmental development projects. Structure and Operation Permanent members: Any person engaged in the department of Environmental Science or the Faculty of Sciences and who wishes to use the framework offered by the center for his research which must fall within the areas of research exploited by the center. Associate members of the center: Anyone from the Faculty or outsider to the Faculty of Sciences or even from UCB who would express the wish to use the center as a framework for their research in a limited time (PhD students, students, contractors, visiting teachers, consultants, etc.) as well as academics emeritus from the center. A written expression of interest and motivation is sent to the sender, and the status is offered after adoption by the council of the center. BODIES The Center is managed by 2 bodies: The Directorate and Bureau: A Director is elected by the permanent members of the center for a renewable four-year term. The bureau is made up of a Director, a person in charge of scientific affairs and a person in charge of the administration and finances of the Center. The bureau manages the center on a day-to-day basis, it administers the research carried out in the center and represents the center in the internal and external bodies of the University. The Council: This is the body acting as the General Assembly. It is made up of all permanent members. However, associate members can also participate in its meetings by invitation of the bureau. The council is the body empowered to give a mandate to the members of the bureau as well as the modification of texts governing the center. It grants the status of member to the applicant on proposal of the bureau. The Director of the center reports directly to the Vice-Rector to Academic Affairs by informing the Department and the Faculty of the daily life of the center on a daily basis. Human Resources CURRENT PERMANENT MEMBERS – Prof Muvundja Amisi Fabrice, Limnologist and Biogeochemist, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences – Prof Lucien Zihindula, Mathematician, Analyst of Complex Systems (Modeling and Quantitative Analysis), Department of Business Informatics, Faculty of Sciences – Prof Mac Mugumaoderha, Materials Physicist, Faculty of Architecture – Dr. Bossissi Nkuba, Ecotoxicologist, Faculty of Agriculture – Mr. Bazomanza Wilfried, GIS, Department of Business Informatics, Faculty of Sciences – Mr. Pacifique Koshikwinja Matabishi, Electromechanical Engineer, Modeling, Optimization and Development of Alternative Energy solutions for eco-construction, Faculty of Architecture. CURRENT ASSOCIATE MEMBERS – Mr. Daniel Muhindo Iragi, Water and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture – Mr. Irenge Bwanamudogo Alicet, Degree in Hydrobiology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences – Mr. Frank Mugisho Zahinda, Water and Forestry Engineer, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences