Nyamkah Rubby Excels in Masters Defence

Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi Recieving a Congratulatory Handshake from the Jury

When the three man jury from the University of Bamenda made up of Pr. Mbetiji Mbetiji as President, Dr. Fon Fielding as Supervisor and Dr. Kameni Gerard as Examiner sat on Thursday November 7th 2024 in CCAST Hall 2 to listen to Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi defend his Masters thesis in law on the protection of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources under Cameroonian law, they saw him fit to be awarded an excellent grade.

Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the defence, Nyamkah Rubby expressed deep appreciations to all for their unwavering kindness, guidance, support and encouragement throughout his post graduate studies. "The jury's recognition my research as exceptional is a testament to the power of collective efforts" he added.

In our findings on the relevance of his topic, we realised that tradirional knowledge is crucial to the livelihoods of indigenous communities and it's protection is essential for preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development. However, the exploitation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledges poses a substantial threat to these communities.

Rubby and his Supervisor, Dr. Fon Fielding 

When we asked what societal problem is his research solving, Rubby said "The problem my research addresses is the inadequate protection of traditional knowledge under Cameroonian law, leading to its misappropriation and exploitation. This results in the loss of cultural identity, economic benefits and potential health benefits from genetic resources."

He furthered that the lack of effective protection hinders the contribution of traditional knowledge to national development. "My research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the existing legal framework and proposing recommendations for effective protection" he added.

In the thesis, through critical analysis of the Cameroonian law, international agreements and comparative studies, key challenges and opportunities for reforms were identified thereby contributing to informing policy decision and promoting community based initiatives to safeguard traditional knowledge.

 

As such, it is expected that indigenous communities benefit from their traditional knowledge and genetic resources, promoting equitable development and cultural preservation. By addressing these, Rubby aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Cameroonians and contribute to the global discussion on intellectual rights and traditional knowledge.

Nyamkah Rubby Tangyi is an administrative assistant in the University of Bamenda, an esquire sworn into the Cameroon Bar on September 25th 2024 and at thesame time he is the divisional president of the Cameroon National Youth Council for Momo and a dedicated member of the Christian Men Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. He's been a strong advocate for youth involvement in politics and taking up leadership positions.