Evans Vusani Mauda, South Africa, Undergraduate student majoring in Conservation Biology at the University of Venda, Thohotandou. I look forward to a future where invertebrates are considered part of the environment and are included in conservation planning and decision making. Currently, I am a registered Master’s student at the University of Venda pursuing my goal to one of the best entomologists from a rural based university. I am hoping that my study will inspire more and more youth to consider studying further and make a difference in the community they live in and hence stimulate the desire to treat and respect the environment.

Looking at my supervisors and what they have achieved through attending events like the Symposium has inspired me more to be eager to learn from different people around the world. The training received will improve greatly my knowledge of the environment and also give me a chance to collaborate with some of the best scientist in world. I will be able to share what I have learnt with my resident country more easily and I will bring in new ideas to my community.