- Current status of training:

Training and Capacity Building - Planned activities for 2005:

1. Individual degree and non-degree training can be conducted in the laboratory facilities in Aleppo year round. Furthermore, training of ICARDA scientists in Adelaide/Udine/NIAB will enable technology transfer and the integration of the technology into ongoing ICARDA training (hands-on practical training).

2. The University of Adelaide and the University of Udine will actively support and facilitate sabbatical appointments, internships and other types of exchanges to empower national program scientists to actively participate in this program (hands-on practical training).

This is a hands-on practical training. As discussed with partners the imbalance assay will be demonstrated in Udine U. to scientists from ICARDA (Dr. S.M. Udupa), Adelaide and NIAB. It is planned that scientist will meet in Udine U. in the first half of 2005 for two weeks to be trained in the imbalance assay on maize or barley as appropriate.

3. A training course in Allele imbalance and MAS on the second year is programmed to be attended by 10 participants (hands-on practical training).

We are planning to have the allelic imbalance assay as part of our head-quarter training course on “DNA marker technology for crop improvement” at ICARDA. This course for 25 participants (10 from Iraq, 5 from Syria and 10 from West Asia and North Africa region) and is planned for September 4-15 this year.

4. The training in Allele imbalance and MAS will involve 2 Individual trainees every year (hands-on practical training).

As far as ICARDA is concerned we will train one scientist from the CWANA region annually for the next three years in the imbalance assay.

5. An annual workshop at the end of the first year has been planed on Allele imbalance and MAS (this is not hands-on).

All Co-PI involved in the project we have agreed to meet annual at PAG for the next three years to discuss and coordinate activities for the project.

6. A new Masters in Plant Breeding will be available from 2006 and several scholarships will be available from the University Adelaide to students from developing countries. This course will have a strong focus on marker-assisted selection in plant breeding.

7. The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics will provide two six month fellowships for students or scientists from developing countries to come to Adelaide to learn the analytical techniques and take part in this program.

8. The University Udine will seek support from the EU to facilitate staff exchanges and visits by national program scientists.

9. 2 NARS scientists are enrolled in Masters course at University Adelaide.

Activities 6, 7,8 and 9 are planned but need to be further discussed.