the human resource development program in...

Report

National Center for Genetic Engineering

and Biotechnology

The Human Resource Development Program in Biotechnology

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Human Resource Development program in Biotechnology

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 2

2. Program in Brief 3

3. Program Performance 5

4. Success of the Program 9

Appendix 1: List of Alumni 11

Appendix 2: Success of Alumni

Alumni obtaining scholarships to further their education

Joint publications between BIOTEC researchers and alumni

31

Appendix 3: Testimonials from Alumni 36

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Recognizing the need for human resource development in science and technology in neighboring countries coupled with available resources of high-caliber Thai researchers and state-of-the-art infrastructure at laboratories in Thailand, BIOTEC initiated the Human Resource Development program in Biotechnology for Neighboring Countries in 2001. This Program specifically addresses the underlying causes of the shortage of skilled manpower in the field of biotechnology in the region, which are lack of facilities, equipment, technical know-how, limited research and development in

biotechnology and inadequate training facilities and equipment. The program places importance on improving research skill, thus it is designed to be an on-the-job and research-based training in BIOTEC’s laboratories in order to build up R&D capability as well as fostering research network among countries in this region. The pilot program was launched in 2001 and 2002, allocating four 3-month training scholarships/year to young researchers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. The program

received a two-year grant amounting USD 75,000 from the ASEAN Foundation for year 2003-2004, enabling BIOTEC to offer 24 scholarships over the 2-year period. For year 2005, in addition to researchers from neighboring ASEAN countries, BIOTEC also accepted two trainees from the Pacific Islands, under the sponsorship of the New Zealand National UNESCO Commission, and the advanced-training scheme was added to allow 6-month research training for researchers with solid scientific background. Currently, 10-15 scholarships for fundamental and advanced courses are provided annually.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

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The training courses offer trainees the knowledge of basic and advanced techniques, how to design and conduct scientific experiments, and also opportunity to visit factories or project sites. All scientific activities are conducted under the guidance of BIOTEC researchers. In addition, the program also includes cultural visit for the trainees in order to provide social experience and understanding of Thai culture. At the end of the training, trainees are responsible to submit report paper on their research works and give oral presentation to their research peers at BIOTEC. Trainees will receive comment and evaluation from their supervisor for further development, and each will be presented with a certificate. Available Courses Each year, the program offers several courses encompassing the broad spectrum of research fields at BIOTEC which are agriculture and aquaculture, food biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, biodiversity and medical biotechnology.

Eligibility Must be scientists currently being employed in either a public or private academic institute,

OR a governmental research organization in the list of eligible countries. Must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in sciences for application to a fundamental course or

at least a Master’s degree in sciences for application to an advanced course. All applicants must have finished course work in biology, microbiology or any related areas that will be required for particular training topics.

Must have good command in English. Must not be older than 32 years.

Sponsorship BIOTEC provides successful applicants with monthly allowance, accommodation and health insurance. The international roundtrip airfare funding will only be available for the successful applicants from Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

PROGRAM IN BR IEF

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List of Eligible Countries Applicants from the following countries are eligible to apply for Human Resource Development Program in Biotechnology:

East Asia Southeast Asia Pacific Islands

China Mongolia

Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Vietnam

American Samoa Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia Northern Mariana Islands Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Timor-Leste

Vanuatu Program Calendar

Month

Detail Jan

uar

y

Febr

uar

y

Mar

ch

Apr

il

May

Jun

e

July

Au

gust

Sept

embe

r

Oct

ober

Nov

embe

r

Dec

embe

r

Announcement and call

for application

Applications Evaluation

Process

Notification of

successful applicants

Training period

- Fundamental Courses

(3 months)

- Advanced Courses

(6 months)

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Application Statistic

Every year, BIOTEC receives over 50 applicants for 10-15 available scholarships. As of 2011, 124 scholarships have been granted with over 600 applications received.

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

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Activities

Opening Ceremony Researchers arrive in Thailand in the beginning of July every year. They are welcomed by BIOTEC executives at the annual opening ceremony of the program, with attendance of the BIOTEC specialists, senior researchers and other distinguished guests.

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Classroom Lecture & Training Program Following the opening ceremony is a classroom lecture to introduce the subjects to trainees and to provide them with an opportunity to learn basic knowledge in biotechnology related to their training courses and useful information in working at BIOTEC.

The training courses consist of learning basic and advanced techniques, designing and conducting research experiments. Two types of training offering are fundamental courses (3 months) and advanced courses (6 months) for researchers with solid scientific background.

Site Visits During the training course, site visits are organized for trainees to obtain hands – on experiences in research work as well as Thai culture.

Visit to Hortigenetics Research (S. E. Asia) Limited: The research company of East West Seed Company Ltd. is a member of a rapidly expanding group of vegetable seed companies operating in Southeast Asia.

Researchers from Vietnam and Indonesia learned about Genetics and Molecular Biology in Fungi.

Researcher from Malaysia was trained in Plant Molecular Biology.

Ms. Phatsalakone and Ms. Phouvong from Laos were trained on blast, bacterial blight and brown planthopper screening.

Researchers from Vietnam and Indonesia learned about Genetics and Molecular Biology in Fungi.

Researcher from Malaysia was trained in Plant Molecular Biology.

Ms. Phatsalakone and Ms. Phouvong from Laos were trained on blast, bacterial blight and brown planthopper screening.

Tin Zaw Latt from Myanmar was trained on collection and identification of fungal samples.

Researchers from the Philippines learned about Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Nanoparticle-assisted Signal Amplication.

Mr. Yi Bunhak from Cambodia learned about Starter Culture Development.

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Research Seminar and Certificate Presentation

Trainees are responsible to submit a report paper on their researches and present their research works to research peers at BIOTEC. Subsequently, each trainee is presented with a certificate.

Visit to Suwan Wajokkasikit Field Crop Research Station(Suwan Research Farm), Kasetsart University: Suwan Research Farm was established in 1965 in order to consolidate agriculture research, render services and facilities for researchers who work on corn and sorghum and other related crops. The research station also carries out specific research project urgently needed of the country.

Cultural visit to the Grand Palace And Vimanmek Mansion

Visit to Rice Gene Discovery Unit (RGDU): RGDU was established in 2001 through the close collaboration between BIOTEC and Kasetsart University's Kamphaengsaen Campus. This unit focuses on the use of genomic technologies to develop genomic tools to discover genes that reveal important characteristic of rice, as well as making use of genes in molecular breeding program.

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SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM

Through this program, trainees not only make an improvement in their research skill, but also gain confidence to work in an international scientific environment. As a result, this training program serves as a stepping stone for young researchers from neighboring countries to engage in a more in-depth research and further education. At the recent survey conducted in 2012, out of 124 alumni, 34 of them went on to win scholarships for graduate studies in foreign countries such as SIDA scholarships to study at the Asian Institute of Technology, EurAsia Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window Project to study at BOKU University in Austria, scholarships to study in Germany, USA and Canada. Most alumni return to work in academic and research institutes and have kept close contact with BIOTEC research staff. Some courses have resulted in joint publications between BIOTEC researchers and alumni, for instance in the areas of plant science and taxonomy study. Moreover, they also received opportunities to present their works in both national and international conferences. One alumnus was awarded one of the best posters at the First National Graduate Research Summit held in the Philippines in 2011. From this critical mass of well-trained young researchers now working in their home countries, BIOTEC embarks on building up research collaboration with our neighbors. An MOU was reached with the Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) in Lao PDR in 2004 and both the Institute of Biotechnology (IBT) and the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB) in Vietnam in 2005. IBT and BIOTEC have been engaged in research collaboration entitled “A/H5N1 influenza virus, including Molecular Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Vaccines” (March 2009 - December 2010) and “Vietnam-Thailand Collaboration Project on Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) sequencing, EST database construction and application for black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) genome sequencing Project” (October 2011- September 2013). Under the MOU with Vinh University in 2006 and Nong Lam University in 2011, BIOTEC established collaboration on biodiversity and bioresource utilization with Vinh University as well as Nong Lam University on bio-control and rice biotechnology. With BIOTEC’s relentless effort in building up research capability for the region, the strategic location of Thailand in central ASEAN and the strong government’s commitment to work closely and assist neighboring countries, international agencies such as UNESCO, FAO and Rockefeller Foundation, have relied on BIOTEC’s expertise to cater the training for the region making BIOTEC a “Regional Training Center in Biotechnology”.

Mr. Ouk Puthea, Cambodia (2007)

Mr. Nguon Samnang, Cambodia (2007), received a scholarship from European Commission (EC) through Erasmus Mundus Partnerships Action 2 Programme (EURASIA 2 Project) to study Ph.D. in Czech Republic

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Ms. Thi Thi Aung, Myanmar (2004), received a scholarship from Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for a doctoral study at Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) was selected as the base for a project on “Strengthening Capacity and Regional Cooperation in Advanced Agricultural Science and Technology in the Greater Mekong Subregion” which was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 2005-2007. In that project, BIOTEC labs and a specialized unit were commissioned to design and organize courses for

advanced laboratory training in food and agricultural biotechnology. The Molecular Rice Breeding Program for the Mekong Region was launched in 2004 with an aim to promote the implementation of marker aided selection (MAS) into the current rice breeding program in the Mekong region, particularly Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar through a comprehensive hands-on training program and sharing of genomic information (genetic data for several traits and the molecular markers for several genes) and research facilities. The Program obtained financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation (2004-2006) and Generation Challenge Programme (2007-present). In 2011-2012, BIOTEC annually organized a Short-Course in Biotechnology and Application for 20 undergraduate students from Korean Soonchunhyang University. Training Course on Bioresource Utilization Study of Marine Resources was organized for researchers from the Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Ms. Kongchay Phimmakong, Lao PDR (2003), received New Zealand scholarship to study a master’s degree in New Zealand.

Ms. Watumesa Agustina Tan, Indonesia (2009), received a scholarship from the Fulbright - Indonesian Presidential Scholarship for doctoral study at the University of California, Davis in the US.

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Appendix 1: List of Alumni

Year 2001

Name: Mr. Sin Sedeth •Name of Organization: Cambodia Import – Export Inspection and Food Regression, Cambodia

•Course Name: Food Biotechnology•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Vinh Thi Nguyen•Name of Organization: Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam•Course Name: Food Biotechnology•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Daw Nyein Htay•Name of Organization: Department of Biotechnology, Yangon Technological University, Myanmar

•Course Name: Microbial Culture Collection•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Mr. Kosonh Xayphasatka•Name of Organization: Science, Technology and Environment Agency, Laos•Course Name: Plant Cell Technology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

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Year 2002

Name: Mr. Boualy Vongvisith•Name of Organization: National University of Laos, Laos•Course Name: Bacterial Insecticide•Research Lab: Microbial Insecticide Production Unit for Insect Pest Control

Name: Mr. Fong Samouth•Name of Organization: National University of Laos, Laos•Course Name: Culture Collection Management•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Mr. Sereivuth Ly•Name of Organization: Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Land Improvement, Cambodia

•Course Name: Viral Insecticide•Research Lab: Microbial Insecticide Production Unit for Insect Pest Control

Name: Ms. Kim Linh Thi Nguyen•Name of Organization: Nong Lam University, Vietnam•Course Name: Plant Cell Technology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

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Year 2003

Name: Ms. Thuy Thanh Tran•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Microbial Collection, Identification and Preservation of Ascomycetous Yeast

•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Duy Duc Ngo •Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Microbial Collection, Identification and Preservation of Ascomycetous Yeast


Name: Ms. Sanya Noy Xaiyavankham •Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Laos •Course Name: Microbial Collection, Identification and Preservation of Acetic Acid Bacteria


Name: Mr. Souliya Souvandouane •Name of Organization: Plant Protection Center, Laos•Course Name: Microbial Collection, Identification and Preservation of Acetic Acid Bacteria


Name: Mr. Tuan Minh Nguyen •Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

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Year 2003

Name: Ms. Kongchay Phimmakong •Name of Organization: Research Institute of Science, Laos•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Chanhom Loinheuang •Name of Organization: National University of Laos, Laos•Course Name: Starter Culture Development•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nhung Hong Nguyen •Name of Organization: University of Agriculture and Forestry of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

•Course Na-pbbbbme: Starter Culture Development •Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Eak Khim Chea •Name of Organization: Cambodia •Import-export Inspection and Fraud Repression Department, Cambodia•Course Name: Pathogenic Risk Assessment of Cultured Fermented Food •Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Khamla Inkhavilay •Name of Organization: National University of Laos, Laos•Course Name: Pathogenic Risk Assessment of Cultured Fermented Food•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

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Year 2004

Name: Ms. Aye Aye Khai •Name of Organization: Yangon Technological University, Myanmar•Course Name: Lactic Acid Bacteria: Development of Strain/ Inoculum and Cultivation, Faculty of Science

•Research Lab: Mahidol University

Name: Mr. Le Tan Hung •Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Lactic Acid Bacteria: Development of Strain/ Inoculum and Cultivation Faculty of Science

•Research Lab: Mahidol University

Name: Mr. Vanhxay Phiomanyvone•Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Lao PDR

•Course Name: Collection, Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Mr. Vu Dang Khanh•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Collection, Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nan Myint Myint Lay•Name of Organization: Pathein University, Myanmar•Course Name: Collection, Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nouansy Thiphaxay•Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Lao PDR

•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Phan Huyen Xuan•Name of Organization: Dalat Institute of Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

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Year 2004

Name: Ms. Vathany Thun•Name of Organization: Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Cambodia

•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Cell Technology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Thi Thi Aung •Name of Organization: Agricultural Research Department, Myanmar•Course Name: Starter Culture Development•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Vu Hong Minh•Name of Organization: Vietnam Marine Science and Technology Association, Vietnam

•Course Name: Starter Culture Development•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Yi Bunhak •Name of Organization: Department of Agro-industry, Cambodia •Course Name: Starter Culture Development•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Nguyen Van Hien•Name of Organization: National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate Branch, Vietnam

•Course Name: Pathogenic Risk Assessment of Cultured Fermented Food•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Aye Aye Thant•Name of Organization: Pathein University, Myanmar•Course Name: Fungal Enzyme Screening•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Khin Khin Htay•Name of Organization: Pathein University, Myanmar•Course Name: Fungal Enzyme Screening•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

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Year 2005

Name: Ms. May Sandar Kyaing•Name of Organization: Biotechnology Department, Yangon Technological University, Myanmar

•Course Name: Maintenance of Microorganisms and Culture Collection Management


Name: Mr. Nguyen Trung Dung•Name of Organization: Vietnam Institute Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology, Vietnam



Name: Ms. Vu Thi Lan Huong•Name of Organization: Faculty of Biology, Vietnam National University of HCMC, Vietnam

•Course Name: Collection, Identification and Preservation of Fungi, Bacteria and Yeasts


Name: Mr. Nguyen Duy Long•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam


•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Tin Zaw Latt•Name of Organization: Biotechnology Development Center, Pathein University, Myanmar



Name: Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien•Name of Organization: Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam Kha•Name of Organization: Nong Lam University, Vietnam•Course Name: Pathogenic Risk Assessment of Cultured Fermented Food•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Fundamental Course

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Year 2005

Name: Ms. Pham Bich Tram•Name of Organization: University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University of HCMC, Vietnam


Name: Ms. Thazin Nwe Aung•Name of Organization: Biotechnology Department, Yangon Technological University, Myanmar


Name: Ms. Wai Moe Lwin•Name of Organization: Biotechnology Development Center, Pathein University, Myanmar


Name: Mr. Ritesh Raju•Name of Organization: Institute of Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji

•Course Name: Accessing Bacteria Diversity from Hot Springs in Thailand•Research Lab: Molecular and Enzyme Screening Laboratory

Name: Mr. Viliamu Iese•Name of Organization: Biology Department, University of the South Pacific, Samoa

•Course Name: Physiology and Biochemistry for Plant Improvement•Research Lab: Plant Physiology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nguyen Phuong Nhue•Name of Organization: Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam

•Research Theme: Characterization of Extremozymes Isolated from Various Fungi Collected in Thailand

•Research Lab: Molecular and Enzyme Screening Laboratory

Name: Mr. Le Tan Hung•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam

•Research Theme: Collection, Identification and Isolation of Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Advanced Course

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Year 2006

Name: Mr. Nakhonekham Xaybouangeun•Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Research Institute of Science, Lao PDR

•Course Name: Collection Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Pao Srean•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Duy Nguyen•Name of Organization: Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Southern Vietnam, Vietnam

•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Ms. Dorcas Homare•Name of Organization: National Agriculture Research Institute, Papua New Guinea

•Course Name: Disease-free Plant Production through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Ngo Duc Duy•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam •Course Name: Collection Identification and Preservation of Yeasts•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Ms. Phanny So Ly•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: Pathogenic Risk Assessment of Cultured Fermented Food•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Moe Moe Naing•Name of Organization: Biological Resources and Biotechnology Development Center Pathein University, Myanmar



Fundamental Course

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Year 2006

Name: Ms. Vilaysouk Ounvongsai•Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Research Institute of Science, Lao PDR


Name: Mr. Duong Hoang Nguyen•Name of Organization: Union of Production and Science of Biotechnology and Environment (USBE), Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam

•Course Name: Site-directed Mutagenesis in Selected Residues of Mosquito-larvicidal Toxin

•Research Lab: Microbial Engineering Laboratory

Name: Ms. Pham Tran To Nhu•Name of Organization: Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam•Course Name: Collection Identification and Preservation of Yeasts•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Ms. Ranjeeta Devi Singh•Name of Organization: Sugar Cane Research Centre, Fiji Islands•Course Name: Plant Molecular Biology•Research Lab: Starch Biosynthesis Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nant Nyein Zarni Naing•Name of Organization: Biological Resources and Biotechnology Development Center Pathein University, Myanmar

•Course Name: Collection Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Do Thi Lien•Name of Organization: Department of Photobiology Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam



Name: Ms. Nant Nyein Zarni Naing•Name of Organization: Biological Resources and Biotechnology Development Center Pathein University, Myanmar

•Course Name: Collection Identification and Preservation of Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory Laboratory

Advanced Course

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Year 2007

Name: Ms. Dang Thu Huong•Name of Organization: Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam•Course Name: Molecular Biology of a Mosquito-larvicidal Protein from Bacteria


Name: Mr. Souvanh Thadavong •Name of Organization: Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, National Agriculture and Forestry, Laos

•Course Name: Abiotic Stress Plant through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Ms. Bolortuya Ulziibat•Name of Organization: Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Science, Mongolia

•Course Name: Abiotic Stress Plant through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Ouk Puthea•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: Abiotic Stress Plant through Biotechnology•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Ms. Komala Thiruvanackan•Name of Organization: Veterinary Research Institute, Malaysia•Course Name: Plant Molecular Biology•Research Lab: Plant Molecular Biology- Starch Biosynthesis Laboratory

Name: Ms. Ei Mon Myo•Name of Organization: Mandalay Technological University, Mandalay, Myanmar

•Course Name: The Effect of Nham Starter Toward Pathogen during Nham Fermentation

•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Fundamental Course

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Year 2007

Name: Ms. Nyamsuren Gombo•Name of Organization: Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Mongolia

•Course Name: Microbial Risk Assessment•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Nguon Samnang•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: Microbial Risk Assessment•Research Lab: Food Biotechnology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Dung Thi Thu Do•Name of Organization: Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-harvest Technology, Vietnam

•Course Name: The Effect of Nham Starter Toward Pathogen during Nham Fermentation


Name: Ms. Tserennyam Lundaa•Name of Organization: Mongolian State University of Agriculture, Mongolia•Course Name: Preservation and Taxonomic Study of Acetic Acid Bacteria•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Name: Ms. Toulaphone Keokene•Name of Organization: National University of Laos, laos•Course Name: Production of Conidia and Blastospores of Insect Fungi for Biocontrol


Name: Ms. Swe Zin Yu•Name of Organization: Mandalay Technological University, Myanmar•Course Name: Screening of Fatty Acid in Yeasts•Research Lab: Culture Collection Laboratory

Advanced Course

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Year 2008

Name: Mr. Dao Anh Hai•Name of Organization: Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam•Course Name: Maintenance of Microorganisms and Culture Collection Management


Name: Mr. Amando Roman Santos Santos•Name of Organization: De La Salle University, Philippines•Course Name: Structure-function Relationships of a Mosquito-larvicidal Protein from Bacillus thuringiensis


Name: Ms. Pinkham Vongphachanh•Name of Organization: Plant Protection Center, Laos•Course Name: Application of Bacillus thuringiensis and Fungi for Controlling Insect Pests


Name: Ms. Oyungerel Natsagdorj•Name of Organization: Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Mongolia

•Course Name: Micropropagation of Oil Palm: Studies of Environmental Factors Affecting Efficiency of Regeneration Protocol

•Research Lab: Plant Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Panya Bouphasiri•Name of Organization: Science Technology and Environment Agency, Laos

•Course Name: Micropropagation of Oil Palm: Studies of Environmental Factors Affecting Efficiency of Regeneration Protocol


Name: Ms. Nguyen Thi Vui •Name of Organization: Vinh University, Vietnam•Course Name: Isolation of Unculturable Insect Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung•Name of Organization: Agricultural Genetic Institute, Vietnam•Course Name: Abiotic Responses in Crop Plants•Research Lab: Plant Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory

Fundamental Course

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Year 2008

Name: Ms. Ly Thi Phuong Loan•Name of Organization: Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Vietnam

•Course Name: Molecular Technique for Analysis of Gene Expression in Plant•Research Lab: Plant Research Group, Kamphaengsaen

Name: Ms. Hor Rathna•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: Abiotic Responses in Crop Plants•Research Lab: Plant Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Nguyen Tai Toan•Name of Organization: Vinh University, Vietnam•Course Name: Isolation of Unculturable Insect Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Mya Win Aung•Name of Organization: Department of Agricultural Research, Myanmar•Course Name: Assessment of Blast, Bacterial Leaf Blight and Brown Plant Hopper: Collection, Genetic Classification, Screening Methodology and Practice

•Research Lab: Rice Gene Discovery Unit

Name: Ms. May Thek Naing•Name of Organization: Department of Agricultural Research, Myanmar•Course Name: Assessment of Blast, Bacterial Leaf Blight and Brown Plant Hopper: Collection, Genetic Classification, Screening Methodology and Practice

•Research Lab: Rice Gene Discovery Unit

Name: Mr. Myo Myint Han•Name of Organization: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

•Course Name: Rapid Screening for Bacteriocin-producing Bacteria from Fermented Foods


Name: Mr. Nguyen Quang Thinh•Name of Organization: Food Crops Research Institute, Vietnam•Course Name: Utilization of Green Fluorescent Protein in Subcellular Localization Analysis of Cassava Protein

•Research Lab: Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory Starch Biosynthesis

Advanced Course

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Year 2009

Name: Mr. Noel Habacon Tan Gana•Name of Organization: National Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, The Philippines

•Course Name: Identification of Acetic Acid Bacteria by DNA-DNA Hybridization


Name: Ms. Pham Thi Thuong•Name of Organization: Plant Biotechnology Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Vietnam

•Course Name: In vitro Culture in Oil Palm: Revised Protocol for Improvement in Growth and Development


Name: Mr. Apriadi Situmorang•Name of Organization: Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia•Course Name: Salt and Drought Stresses in Crop Plants: Classification•Research Lab: Plant Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Kong Sothea•Name of Organization: Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia•Course Name: In vitro Culture in Oil Palm: Revised Protocol for Improvement in Growth and Development


Name: Ms. Watumesa Agustina Tan•Name of Organization: Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Indonesia•Course Name: Genetics and Molecular Biology in Fungi•Research Lab: Phylogenetics Laboratory

Name: Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien•Name of Organization: Department of Biotechnology, Nong Lam University, Vietnam

•Course Name: Genetics and Molecular Biology in Fungi•Research Lab: Phylogenetics Laboratory

Name: Mr. Pham Duc Toan•Name of Organization: Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam•Course Name: Chemical and Biological Screening of Non-ribosomal Peptide Producing Fungi

•Research Lab: Bioassay Laboratory

Fundamental Course

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Year 2009

Name: Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh•Name of Organization: Vinh University, Vietnam•Course Name: Collection, Isolation and Identification of Insect Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Phatsalakone Manyyong•Name of Organization: National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Laos•Course Name: Assessment of Blast, Bacterial Leaf Blight and Brown Planthopper: Collection, Genetic Classification, Screening, Methodology and Practice

•Research Unit: Rice Gene Discovery Unit

Name: Ms. Phouvong Souvannavongsa•Name of Organization: National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Laos•Course Name: Assessment of Blast, Bacterial Leaf Blight and Brown Planthopper: Collection, Genetic Classification, Screening, Methodology and Practice

•Research Unit: Rice Gene Discovery Unit

Name: Mr. Toan Tai Nguyen•Name of Organization: Vinh University, Vietnam•Course Name: Phylogenetic Study of Selected Hypocrealean Entomopathogenic Fungi: a Comparison between Vietnam and Thailand Strains

•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory and Phylogenetics Laboratory

Name: Ms. Yin Zar Chi Htwe•Name of Organization: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

•Course Name: Cysteine Scanning Mutagenesis in a Mosquito-larvicidal Protein from Bacillus sphaericus


Name: Ms. Maria Elma Daquipil Quiao•Name of Organization: Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, The Philippines

•Course Name: Investigation of Autophagy in Invertebrate Shrimp Penaues monodon and Penaeus vannamei and Crab Scylla serrata

•Research Unit: The Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Name: Mr. Ernest Suryadjaja•Name of Organization: Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, The Philippines

•Course Name: Investigation of Autophagy in Invertebrate Shrimp Penaues monodon and Penaeus vannamei and Crab Scylla serrata

•Research Unit: The Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Advanced Course

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Year 2010

Name: Mr. Charlie Bumanglag Batin•Name of Organization: Mariano Marcos State University, Philippines •Course Name: Innovation Technology for Phytoremediation on Salinity Land•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Pet Roey Lasquites Pascual•Name of Organization: CEBU Technological University, Philippines•Course Name: Environmental Control for Oil Palm Micropropagation•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Ms. Elizabeth Pio Parac•Name of Organization: Caraga State University, Philippines•Course Name: In vitro Culture in Oil Palm: Revised Protocol for Improvement in Growth and Development

•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Ida Bagus Made Artadana•Name of Organization: Faculty of Biotechnology, Surabaya University, Indonesia

•Course Name: In vitro Culture in Oil Palm: Revised Protocol for Improvement in Growth and Development


Name: Ms. Thai Thi Ngoc Lam•Name of Organization: Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Vinh University, Vietnam

•Course Name: Leaf Litter Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Ho Thi Nhung•Name of Organization: Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Vinh University, Vietnam

•Course Name: Leaf Litter Fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Fundamental Course

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Year 2010

Name: Ms. Anantasia Indriani•Name of Organization: Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Animal Science, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

•Course Name: Screening and Characterization for Lignocellulosic Degrading Enzymes from Leaf-litter Fungi

•Research Lab: Enzyme Technology Laboratory

Name: Mr. Rey Yonson Capangpangan•Name of Organization: Caraga State University, Philippines•Course Name: Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Nanoparticle-Assisted Signal Amplication

•Research Lab: Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Unit

Name: Mr. Emil Castillo Lat•Name of Organization: National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) , Philippines

•Course Name: Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Nanoparticle-Assisted Signal Amplication


Name: Mrs. Orlavanh Xayyavong•Name of Organization: Champasack University, Laos•Course Name: Identification and Validation of Drug Targets in Plasmodium Parasites

•Research Lab: Protein-Ligand Engineering and Molecular Biology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Soe Myat Thandar•Name of Organization: Department of Biotechnolgy, Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

•Course Name: Production of Insecticidal Protein from B. subtilis•Research Lab: Microbial Engineering Laboratory

Name: Ms. Baldorj Pagmadulam•Name of Organization: The Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology, Mongolia

•Course Name: Isolation of Yeasts in Beetle Guts•Research Lab: Phylogenetics Laboratory

Advanced Course

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Year 2011

Name: Mr. Nguyen Vu Linh•Name of organization: Biotechnology Research and Development Institute, Can Tho University

•Course Name: Ion homeostasis defense mechanism in indica rice (Oryza sativa L. spp. indica) genotypes in contrasting salt tolerant ability


Name: Mr. Boney Wera•Name of organization: Papua New Guinea National Agricultural Research Institute

•Course Name: Environmental control in plant tissue culture for promoting salt-tolerant ability in rice (Oryza sativa Linn.)


Name: Mr. Nguyen Pham Hung•Name of organization: Agricultural Genetic Institute•Course Name: Physiological responses to salinity in rice culture•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Ms. Supatmi•Name of organization: Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)

•Course Name: Physiological responses to salinity in rice culture•Research Lab: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory

Name: Mr. Muhammad Iszam Bin Shawal•Name of organization: Universiti Malaysia Sabah•Course Name: Virus gene insertions and their roles in shrimp response to virus infections

•Research Lab: The Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Name: Ms. Lorenz Javier Fajardo•Name of organization: Central Luzon State University•Course Name: Virus gene insertions and their roles in shrimp response to virus infections

•Research Lab: The Center of Excellence for Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Fundamental Course

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Year 2011

Remark: Due to a severe flood situation in Thailand during mid-October to November 2011, two advanced scholarships under HRD Program in Biotechnology 2011 were put to an end on 4 November 2011 instead of 30 December 2011.

Name: Ms. Kyi Pyar Win•Name of organization: Mandalay Technological University•Course Name: Production of Alkaline Protease from Bacillus sp. for Application in dog shampoo Industry

•Research Lab: Enzyme Technology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Ruth Chrisnasari•Name of organization: University of Surabaya•Course Name: DNA Detection based on FRET•Research Lab: Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Unit

Name: Mr. Ngo Ba Duy•Name of organization: Nonglam University•Course Name: Encapsulation of Gold nanoparticle/Horseradish Peroxidase Bioconjugate for Signal Amplificaion


Name: Mrs. Kavita Ragini•Name of organization: Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific

•Course Name: Construction of P. berghei transfection plasmid harboring P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase mutant library

•Research Lab: Protein-Ligand Engineering and Molecular Biology Laboratory

Name: Ms. Rhea Palma Castillo Alura•Name of organization: Eastern Samar State University, Maydolong Campus•Course Name: Production of mosquito-larvicidal toxins in Enterobacter amnigenus


Name: Mr. Win Min Than•Name of organization: Mandalay Technological University•Course Name: Leaf Litter fungi•Research Lab: Mycology Laboratory

Advanced Course

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No. Trainees Year Status

1. Ms. Daw Nyein Htay, Myanmar

2001 Ph.D. Program at Yangon Technological University in Myanmar

2. Mr. Boualy Vongvisith, Laos

2002 Master Degree Program at Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand under scholarship from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

3. Mr. Kosonh Xayphakatsa, Laos

2002 Ph.D. Program in Japan

4. Ms. Thuy Thanh Tran, Vietnam

2003 BIOTEC research training on Screening for unusual fatty acid from marine yeast at BIOTEC, Thailand

5.

Mr. Souliya Souvandouane, Laos

2003 UNESCO International Post Graduate Course in Biotechnology by the Japanese Government in 2004-2005

Master Degree Program in Korea under International AID and Development Agency Scholarship

6.

Ms. Kongchay Phimmakong, Laos

2003 UNESCO International Post Graduate Course in Biotechnology by the Japanese Government in 2004-2005

Master Degree Program in New Zealand under scholarship from New Zealand Government

7. Mr. Chanhom Loinheuang, Laos

2003 Master Degree Program in Germany

8. Mr. Tuan Minh Nguyen, Vietnam

2003 Master Degree Program in the US

9.

Ms. Thi Thi Aung, Myanmar

2004 Ph.D. Program at Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand under a scholarship from Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

10. Mr. Vanhxay Phiomanyvone, Laos

2004 Master Degree Program at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand under a scholarship from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

11. Mr. Vu Dang Khanh, Vietnam

2004 Ph.D. Program in Canada under the Canadian INRS Fellowship

12. Ms. Nouansy Thiphaxay, Laos

2004 Master Degree Program at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand

13. Ms. Aye Aye Khai, Myanmar

2004 Ph.D. Program at Yangon Technological University under a scholarship from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology,

Appendix 2: Success of Alumni

Alumni obtaining scholarships to further their education

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Myanmar Post Doctoral Fellowship from the Academy of

Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS/CSIR) to do research on Isolation and characterization of some beneficial bacteria from medicinal and aromatic plants by using molecular tools at Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAPs), India

14. Ms. May Sandar Kyaing, Myanmar

2005 Ph.D. Program at Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GSCAAS), Biotechnology Research Institute in China under a scholarship from the Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) and Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS)

15. Ms. Thazin Nwe Aung, Myanmar

2005 Ph.D. Program in Myanmar under a governmental scholarship from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

16. Mr. Duy Nguyen Long, Vietnam

2005 Master Degree Program at Hallym University in Korea under a scholarship from Ilsong Institute of Life Science – Hallym University

17. Mr. Le Tan Hung, Vietnam

2005 Master Degree Program at Kasetsart University in Thailand under a scholarship from BIOTEC and the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB), Vietnam

18. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam Kha, Vietnam

2005 Ph.D. Program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) in Australia under a scholarship from the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and RMIT, Australia

19. Mr. Ritesh Raju, Fiji

2005 Ph.D. Program at the University of Queensland in Australia under a scholarship from the Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA)

20. Mr. Duy Nguyen, Vietnam

2006 Master Degree Program at Wageningen University in the Netherlands under an Anne Van Den Ban Scholarship Fund

21. Mr. Duong Hoang Nguyen, Vietnam

2006 Ph.D. Program at the University of Würzburg in Germany

22. Ms. Dung Thi Thu Do, Vietnam

2007 Ph.D. Program at the University of Adelaide in Australia

23. Mr. Nguon Samnang, Cambodia

2007 Ph.D. Program at the Institute of Tropics and Subtropics (ITS), Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS), Czech Republic under a scholarship from Erasmus Mundus Partnerships Action 2 Program (EURASIA 2 Project) of the European Commission

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24. Ms. Swe Zin Yu, Myanmar

2007 Ph.D. Program at Mandalay Technological University in Myanmar under a governmental scholarship from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

25. Ms. Tserennyam Lundaa, Mongolia

2007 Ph.D. Program at BOKU University in Austria under a scholarship from Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window of the European Commission

26 Ms. Bolortuya Ulziibat, Mongolia

2007 Ph.D. Program at Tohoku University in Japan

27.

Ms. Ly Thi Phuong Loan, Vietnam

2008 Master Degree Program at Wageningen University in the Netherlands under the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

28. Mr. Myo Myint Han, Myanmar

2008 Ph.D. Program in Myanmar

29. Ms. Watumesa Agustina Tan, Indonesia

2009 Ph.D. Program at the University of California, Davis in the USA under the Fulbright - Indonesian Presidential Scholarship

30. Mr. Ernest Suryadjaja, Indonesia

2009 Ph.D. Program at James Cook University in Australia under an Australia Development Scholarship (ADS) from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

31. Ms. Hong Thuy Tien Le, Vietnam

2009 Master Degree Program at the Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University in Japan under a governmental scholarship from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam

32. Ms. Phatsalakone Manyvong, Laos

2009 Master Degree Program at the Faculty of Agricultural Science, Kasetsart University in Thailand under scholarship from BIOTEC and the Generation Challenge Programme (GCP)

33. Ms. Soe Myat Thandar, Myanmar

2010 Ph.D. Program at Mandalay Technological University in Myanmar under a governmental scholarship from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar

34. Mr. Pet Roey Lasquites Pascual, The Philippines

2010 Ph.D. Program in Crop Science at Cebu Technological University (CTU) in the Philippines

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Joint publications between BIOTEC researchers and alumni

Mr. Souvanh Tadavong, Laos (2007)

Mr. Ouk Puthea, Cambodia (2007)

Ms. Hien Thi Thanh Nguyen, Vietnam (2005)

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Poster Presentation in the International Conference

Mr. Charlie Bumanglag Batin (Philippines, 2009) presented the poster which conducted at BIOTEC entitled “Effect of Sodium Chloride on Proline Accumulation, Photosynthetic Abilities and Growth Characteristics of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)” at the First National Graduate Research Summit held in Manila, the Philippines on 10-11 December 2011. The poster was selected as one of the best posters at the conference.

Ms. Tserennyam Lundaa, Mongolia, (2007)

Ms. Bolortuya Ulziibat, Mongolia, (2007)

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Appendix 3: Testimonials from Alumni

Ms. Maria Elam Daquipil Quiao, The Philippines (2009)“This program is excellent because it provides the opportunity to the researchers from agencies and institutes all over Southeast Asia to train various skills in the field of biotechnology. Personally, the knowledge and skills that I gained are valuable as a biotechnology lecturer and researcher. It provided me the confidence to do a prospective research that would be relevant to my home region. It also encouraged me to pursue advanced study in the field of my training project.

Mr. Kong Sothea, Cambodia, (2009)

“I think this program is really important to provide good and suitable skill and build their capacity in order to get higher knowledge for trainees. For example, in the past, I learned only method in theory but got a few experience for hand-on practice. When I joined this program, I got a lot of things, especially new knowledge to update my skill.”

Ms. Watumesa A. Tan, Indonesia (2009)

“This program has been a wonderful and beneficial experience for me. Thank you foraccepting my application.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Vietnam (2004)

“ASEAN Foundation is a good organization. They had chosen a good place for trainingcourse. They have created a good relationship among ASEAN countries”

Ms. Kavita Ragini, Fiji Island (2011)

“I have been very lucky and consider myself blessed to be trained in a lab like BIOTEC, whichis well established and has all the facilities and equipments required to conduct research andtraining. Given an opportunity i would be very much interested to work here again. Apart from the research side of things the people are very kind and hospitality as well. I humbly thank BIOTEC HRD program, my supervsiors and everyone involved in the management andadministration for great opportunity.”

Mr. Myo Myint Han, Myanmar (2008)

“From this training, I can get valuable laboratory experiences, and I can see and use modern laboratory facilities of BIOTEC. Moreover I had a chance to do so many laboratoryexperiments that I have never tried before in my country. I believe that this training program is essential for the students of developing countries.”

Mr. Nguon Samnang, Cambodia (2007)

“I do have acquired and improved my lab knowledge, experience and lesson-learn from sucha reasonable methods and believe many of these lesson-learn will guide and help me in many ways along with my colleagues working on hazard analyses and risk assessments”

Mr. Nguyen Tai Toan, Vietnam (2008-2009)

“This training course was very excellent. My supervisor gave me a lot of valuable knowledge on insect pathogenic fungi. I learnt now technique here and this is very useful for me when I go back to my home country to continue my research”

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nam Kha, Vietnam (2005)

“In the future, I’m happy if we keep contact and collaborate in other projects. Thank you all that you’ve done for us”

Ms. Phanny So Ly, Cambodia (2006)

“For this year, I am very happy that I have chance to be trained in BIOTEC. It is very good and improve my knowledge which will apply to my job when I back to my home country”

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Appendix 3: Testimonials from Alumni

Viliamu Iese, Samoa (2005)

I am attending a three months training in Thailand sponsored by the UNESCO and National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Thailand. I am based in the Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory in the BIOTEC, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand. This is the first time Pacific Islanders join this research-training program in BIOTEC. I am screening the rice population here in Thailand for salt tolerant genes. The population includes parents, salt tolerant rice var. Hom Chan (HJ) and the high yield salt sensitive Pathum Thani rice (PT1), the selected F2 salt tolerant and salt sensitive rice offspring. Overall there will be 90 plants. There will be 52 SSR primers (from 12 chromosomes) to screen rice population for the Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for salt tolerance. The outcome of this research will provide baseline information to map the salt tolerant QTL in Thai rice and also useful to select parents for next cycle of breeding. For the long run, this will produce new salt tolerant high yield rice varieties that can grow in saline areas.

This training will be very useful for me personally and also for the Pacific Islands. The technique I am learning here especially the using of molecular markers to identify parents for breeding programs will be very useful. Currently, there are many breeding programs in the Pacific Islands like the taro breeding program in Samoa, the main selection method used in these breeding are morphologically based, which takes a lot of time, costly, and very vulnerable to disasters and other lethal factors. Selection using molecular markers will solve those problems.

Not only that, this technique is the baseline step to locate useful genes in plants, for example, genes that are responsible for salt tolerance. There are many crop problems in the Pacific Islands. For example, the taro leaf blight in Samoa and other PICs, the new rice blast outbreak in Fiji, and most interestingly the vulnerable of food plants in Atoll Islands to salt spray and sea level rise. Employing this technique to help eradicate or reduce the effects of diseases, pests and natural hazards on crops will be a major step forward for Pacific Island people. Many of the genetic researches using PIC resources are carried out by non-Pacific Island people, which cost a lot of money, but as a Pacific Islander, it will be very easy to access and use the resources.

We also have field trips to observe how the Agricultural industries here in Thailand operate, for example, the CP factory. It was very interesting to observe how they operate and carry out researches using ornamentals and other essential plants that can be used in the Pacific Islands. Since this is one of the leading nations in the world with Agricultural products it is a blessing to be here to witness and learn from them.

As a young Researcher, I am learning very important practical skills here in BIOTEC, it also helps me to interact with other researchers, and develop the confidence to work with experts in the field. I am also a member of the Pacific Plant Genetic Resource Network (PAPGREN) and we always share new learning experiences through emails and meetings, this ensures that the knowledge I am learning here will be shared to my other Pacific Island colleagues.

Lastly but not the least, this opportunity also gives me the chance to share the Pacific Culture to Thailand and other Asians here in BIOTEC, they never heard of Samoa and other PIC. At the same time, learning some new products and recipes using bananas and taro that can be used in the Pacific Islands as an alternative product. I am proud to be a researcher in BIOTEC, and also an ambassador for Samoa, Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Islands and the University of the South Pacific. I hope this collaboration continues.

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