Helina Maanso has recently made history by becoming the first person in Estonia to complete the Diploma in Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) in the International programme run by Sparsholt College and BIAZA.
Helina is a Zoo Educationalist at Tallinn Zoo and began the unique two-year distance learning course in October 2016 through the College’s regional centre in Riga Zoo Latvia. Units in the course covered subjects found in modern collections such as organisations, research, education, conservation, enclosure design, breeding, nutrition, (animal) health and horticulture.
Course Director, Andy Beer paid tribute to Helina’s achievement by commenting: “Helena has been an excellent and diligent learner her decision to enrol on the course was an incentive for other colleagues to enrol and she was a worthy ambassador for the zoo and the course in her pioneering role. During the course she has been very hardworking and consistently produced work of a high standard.”
Guna Vitola, Regional Co-oordinator in Riga added: “Helina has been one of the best DMZAA students at Riga International Centre so far. She has a deep interest in nature, animals, zoos and education in particular. Helina is reliable and honest in all aspects of studies, also helpful and friendly. It is pure joy to communicate with her.”
Helina achieved a merit grade overall for the eighteen units of study involved – Congratulations Helina!
To find out more about training courses such as this visit the BIAZA Website.