From Marginalized Wetlands to Living Laboratories: The Role of the University of Yaoundé I in the Emergence of a Responsible Innovation Ecosystem Around Untapped Marshlands.
This paper aims to examine the involvement of the University of Yaoundé I in the valorization of the wetlands on its campus. In order to understand the university’s role in protecting these fragile marshlands, the central research question guiding this study is: "How is the University of Yaoundé I involved in the preservation of the wetlands on its site?" From a methodological standpoint, the study is grounded in Ulrich Beck’s Risk Society theory, which helped identify the key issues related to the wetlands. Technically, the research is based on documentary analysis and field surveys conducted on the study site. The first key finding reveals that the valorization of the wetlands at the University of Yaoundé I is achieved through ecological restoration, taking into account their composition, structure, dynamics, and ecological functions. The second finding shows that sustainable development of these wetlands depends on their full protection.