Post Graduate Training in APO
To cater for the long-term needs of PGR
conservation and use in the region, in addition to short-term courses that help
in skill-development, degree level courses are needed. Until recently, training
at the post graduate level in plant genetic resources was not available in APO
region. A 1995 survey of training needs showed very strong demand for such
training to be offered at Asian institutions. IPGRI has been involved with
partners in India, Malaysia and The Philippines who have developed programmes on
Master of Science (MS or MSc) in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and
Management (MSPGR or MScPGR)
At the University of the Philippines, Los
Baños (UPLB), a new MSPGR programme was initiated about two years ago, which
aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of PGR concepts,
principles and strategies for conservation, development and management.IPGRI
staff has assisted UPLB to strengthen the curriculum and to develop new courses.
IPGRI also provides guest lectures, whenever possible. In conjunction with the
new MS PGR programme, SEARCA (the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Graduate Study and
Research in Agriculture) and IPGRI offered scholarships to deserving students
from across Asia/Pacific with financial support from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB). These scholarships also included provision for a student's thesis study
to be carried out in his/her own country.
In addition, Masters level training
programmes have started at University Kebangsaan
Malaysia, National Bureau of Plant
Genetic Resources jointly with Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New
Delhi (Master of Science in Plant Genetic Resources) and University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
During November 1999, IPGRI organized a meeting of university staff involved in PGR education (MSPGR
Dialogue).
The objectives of this meeting were
a. to review progress and success achieved so far by each institution;
b. to identify and discuss constraints and problems and suggest solutions;
c. to highlight national and regional importance/significance of the curriculum
so far followed; deficiencies and gaps to be filled up;
and streamlining to identify and arrange various topics on the priority basis
and to limit them under course systems to fit into the time frame.
Nepal, Philippines, India and Sri Lanka participated in the meeting. To further
promote collaboration and networking among the organizations that are offering
higher education as well as consider the possibility of offering MSPGR through
distance learning mode, IPGRI organized MSPGR University Network Meeting at
IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia on 19-21 September 2001. Objectives of this meeting
were:
1. To review the status of the Post Graduate Offering on the MS Plant Genetic
Resources by the various academic institutions in APO;
2. To identify areas of collaboration which will strengthen the offering of the
MS Plant Genetic Resources Program among the participating institutions;
3. To explore possible offerings of courses in the MS Plant Genetic Resources
program and the academic program itself by distance education;
4. To exchange experiences on academic networking and distance education with
other institutions.
Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and UK participated in the meeting
This meeting resulted in the following outputs:
1. Status Reports of the academic programme of the participating institutions;
2. Recommendations on areas of collaboration to strengthen academic networking and the present offering of the PG Programme on PGR Conservation and Management and
3. Recommendations on possible alternative use of distance education in the offering of MS PGR Programme.
