Important notice – March 19, 2020:
Due to the risk presented by COVID-19, completion of this course will take place remotely.
We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact contact Fatima Camarillo.
Wheat is one of the most important staple foods in the world and a key source of protein, vitamins and fiber in lower and middle-income countries. The estimated demand of wheat to feed 9 billion people by 2050 requires the development of high yielding wheat cultivars resilient to climate change and to rapidly evolving diseases. This requires the training of young scientists to optimize current agronomic and breeding processes.
The experimental station of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Ciudad Obregon, in Mexico’s Sonora state, is an ideal platform to train young scientist in wheat breeding. At this station, CIMMYT scientists lead experimental trials in response to current global challenges in wheat production.
The Basic Wheat Improvement Course (BWIC) is a unique professional opportunity for early career scientists in the public and private sector. Our goal is to train the next generation of breeders to face current challenges in wheat production. During the course, we will review core concepts in genetics, conventional breeding, statistics, and the most recent cutting-edge technologies implemented in CIMMYT’s wheat breeding program. Participants will be involved in all the activities of the breeding program and will directly interact with the CIMMYT scientific community. Plan breeding is a science and an art, and this curse provides the opportunity for the new generation of breeders to learn the science and develop the art.
Objectives
- Provide skills and knowledge for successfully designing and managing a wheat breeding program
- Familiarize the participant with CIMMYT’s strategic objectives and breeding priorities for developing wheat cultivars
- A comprehensive understanding of the breeding methods used at CIMMYT and how disciplines like plant pathology and physiology, wheat quality, biometric, geographic information systems and social sciences support a breeding program
- Understand and apply new technologies for wheat improvement
- Develop the ability to work in a multicultural and interdisciplinary research program
Candidates
This course targets junior scientist (<40yrs old) associated with national breeding programs, but graduate students and qualified self-sponsored visitors are also welcome to apply. We require that the candidates must be fit for field work.
Participants are required to holds a bachelor’s in science or a master’s degree in plant breeding or related disciplines, with experience on field crop breeding and research.
Proficiency in English is required.
Locations
CIMMYT global headquarters in Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico
CIMMYT experimental station in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora state, Mexico
Cost
US$ 10,500
The cost includes accommodation, daily allowances of US$35/day, local health insurance, application for Mexican visa, local transportation, training materials, field visits and attendance to workshops and conferences.
The cost of the course DOES NOT include international travel to/from Mexico, any type of travel incidentals, neither medical insurance deductibles.
Application
The deadline to receive applications is December 15, 2019.
Applications are been received through CIMMYT Academy: https://academy.cimmyt.org/group/492
For more information, contact Fatima Camarillo.
