The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is inviting applications for the Lui Bell Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 2013 to honour the life and work of Lui Bell and his commitment to the conservation of marine species in Pacific islands.
The Lui Bell Memorial Scholarship aims to develop the expertise of Pacific island nationals in areas related to the conservation and management of the region's migratory species — dugongs, marine turtles, sharks and cetaceans, and thus support implementation of marine species conservation priorities in the region.
The Scholarship will enable Pacific island students to obtain postgraduate qualifications in the disciplines of marine biology, environmental science, marine science, climate change, environmental law or other relevant disciplines.
At the time of his passing in December 2012, Mr Lui Bell was the Marine Species Officer at SPREP, where he had worked since 2005. His unwavering commitment and dedication to marine species conservation is well recognised and he is known for his role in the establishment of sanctuaries in the region, including over 18 million square kilometres of whale and dolphin sanctuaries.
At a special ceremony at the SPREP headquarters in Apia, Mrs Silila Bell described the scholarship as a fitting tribute to her late husband's work in conservation and his “lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others.”
The deadline for applications is 31 May, 2014 and a decision on the successful applicant/s will be made in June.
