41st INTERNATIONAL VEGETABLE TRAINING COURSE
The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is now accepting applications for its 41st International Vegetable Training Course (IVTC):
Course Title: Vegetable breeding for the tropics
Course aim: To give participants hands-on experience and expand their technical knowledge in tropical vegetable breeding
- Plant genetic resources conservation and utilization
- Germplasm screening for pests and disease resistance
- Set up of seed production pipeline
- Breeding scheme of tomato, chili, and cucurbit crop
- Hybrid cultivar development using male sterility systems
- Statistical methods for plant breeding
- Marker-assisted selection
Training method: The course is taught by experts from the World Vegetable Center and Kasetsart University (Thailand). The instruction will be in English. It will be a blend of classroom lectures, hands-on exercises, and excursions to leading vegetable seed producers in Thailand.
Training Duration: 21 October – 1 November 2024
Course fee: US$ 2,500
Training Venue: World Vegetable Center East and Southeast Asia Research and Training Station, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand
For queries, email
ivtc@worldveg.org
IVTC website
IVTC brochure
RESEARCH AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Research partnerships and training for professional development are important parts of the Center’s work. We provide research opportunities for scientists at Center headquarters in Taiwan and at regional offices in Asia and Africa. Training opportunities for extension workers and farmers are provided mainly through our regional, sub-regional and liaison offices.
Before you start the application form, please make sure you have the required application documents scanned as .pdf files and ready to upload:
- your latest degree, or an official transcript of academic records
- bio-data page of your passport or National ID
- signed letter of sponsorship (self or scholarship): Download the sponsorship form
Please note: only fully documented applications will be considered.
For further clarification, please contact training@worldveg.org
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
New scientists and trainees
The World Vegetable Center provides opportunities for new scientists such as Master’s or PhD students and trainees such as undergraduates to either complete their theses or gain experience by participating in one of the Center’s ongoing research programs. Most come for 3 to 6 months and their expenses are paid by their employers, donors or themselves. While doing their research work they obtain practical skills to develop their scientific careers. These have included screening vegetable varieties for diseases, using molecular tools in breeding, developing natural pest control methods, analyzing nutritional properties of vegetables, vegetable value chain analysis, gender in vegetable value chains, adoption of vegetable technologies, etc.
The Center does not grant degrees, but collaborates with universities in many countries to make its facilities and expertise available to scholars interested in tropical vegetable research.
Please fill out the online application form to pursue training at the World Vegetable Center. The Center’s Training Coordinator will endeavor to match your interests with the appropriate Center scientist to negotiate a suitable training program.
Research fellowships are full-time apprenticeship programs for employees of national agricultural research systems. Applicants must have a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree as well as several years of experience. Research is conducted under the supervision of a Center scientist. Fellowships are usually for one year with a possible extension for another year. Preference is given to self-funded candidates from developing countries, or those who can be funded through existing Center projects.
Graduate students are those seeking to do their MSc or PhD thesis work at the Center and who are proficient in English, are enrolled at a university, and have completed their coursework. A candidate must be endorsed by their employer and/or university adviser. The Center scientist who agrees to guide the student’s research must be accepted by the university as a member of the student’s thesis advisory committee. Provided funds are available and all parties agree, the thesis research can be conducted at Center headquarters or in our regional offices.
Undergraduate students are 1) those who have completed major courses and are working towards their senior research project or equivalent or 2) students who are interested in participating in the Center’s research projects during their summer break on a topic within a supervising scientist’s research project that may contribute towards a thesis. Duration of an undergraduate student’s research will vary according to the funding sources and availability of scientists to supervise students. However, the minimum duration of undergraduate students training is two months.
Full-time researchers who have a university degree and are interested in conducting research under the supervision of a Center scientist(s) on topics of mutual interest to the Center, the trainee, and the trainees’ employer. Internships typically last for a period of 3 months, but can be extended to 6 months.RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Experienced researchers
The World Vegetable Center aims to improve nutrition and reduce poverty in developing countries through vegetable research and development. Major research programs are conducted at Center headquarters in Shanhua, Taiwan. To enhance its outreach efforts, the Center has established regional centers in Tanzania, Mali, India and Thailand, as well as several global research networks.
The Center offers many opportunities for scientists to participate in its research and development (R&D) programs. Through these opportunities the Center is developing a team of well-trained, highly motivated scientists engaged in vegetable research, extension, policy formulation, and production. These training opportunities also provide the Center with a means of strengthening its R&D capacity in critical areas.