A joint team from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) and Leipzig University has received the Outstanding Engagement in Teaching Award of the Universitätsgesellschaft Leipzig at the Paulinum. The students and researchers spent two weeks at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust in Zambia, which is one of the world’s largest sanctuaries for chimpanzees.
Outstanding engagement in teaching award
Building on the long-standing scientific ties between Leipzig and Chimfunshi, researchers observed chimpanzee behaviour within large social groups in their natural habitat. Meanwhile, students of biology, veterinary medicine, psychology and education worked alongside children, teachers and the local community. The project combined creative mathematics lessons involving geometric materials with workshops on sustainable beeswax processing and activities related to education, conservation and preventive healthcare — setting the stage for future cooperation with the region.
The jury highlighted the project's strong practical relevance, interdisciplinary focus, and direct benefits for the community, as well as its contribution to conservation and sustainable development. "This project demonstrates how interdisciplinary teaching can work when students are truly involved," said Prof. Dr. Katja Liebal. Prof. Dr. Daniel Haun added, "Research and teaching reinforce each other here. At Chimfunshi, we translated insights from behavioural research directly into educational practice, and our students gained new perspectives through local collaboration — experiences that help build sustainable partnerships.”
Award recipients: Prof. Dr. Katja Liebal, Prof. Dr. Daniel Haun, Prof. Dr. Simone Reinhold, Dr. Beryl Eusemann, Dr. Kathrin Kopp, and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Blenau.
About Chimfunshi: The sanctuary in northern Zambia has been operating for over 40 years and has grown to become the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary with 10,000 hectares of land under protection. It provides rescued animals with species-appropriate habitats and offers the local community employment, housing, clean drinking water, education and basic medical care. As an internationally recognised research site, Chimfunshi enables the study of chimpanzee social behaviour, cognition and communication in near-natural conditions, and regularly collaborates with international research institutions.
Contact:
Sandra Jacob
Press Officer
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig
+49 341 3550-122
jacob@[>>> Please remove the text! <<<]eva.mpg.de