who we are

The Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program (BBPP), started in 1998, is part of an academic partnership between Drexel University in Philadelphia and the Universidad Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial (UNGE) in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Both universities began as technical schools, a legacy that is reflected in their areas of strength today as they work together to protect the biodiversity of Bioko Island.

Drexel University has a rich history as an engineering school that has grown into a comprehensive global research university, ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States and 25th on the “Most Innovative Schools” list for national universities. With nearly 25,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities.

UNGE is Equatorial Guinea's premier institution for higher education. Since its opening in 1995, the university has experienced tremendous growth, with a new state-of-the-art campus located on the outskirts of Malabo. UNGE's College of Environmental Science is BBPP's academic home in Equatorial Guinea. Under the long-term leadership of Jose Manuel Esara Echube, the university has become UNGE's most successful and productive academic unit.

Our Mission: We at BBPP are determined to conserve Bioko Island's biodiversity, especially its critically endangered primates and nesting marine turtles, through continuous research and the development of economically self-sustaining programs that demonstrate the value of conserving Equatorial Guinea's unique wildlife and wild spaces. We work to develop UNGE and INDEFOR-AP's educational capacity by improving management skills, English-language proficiency, teaching skills, and work ethic. We also pursue projects to develop UNGE's infrastructure by improving classrooms, office equipment, computers and telecommunications, and providing Internet access.