| The course has a comprehensive
design; it combines conferences, laboratory and field practice, study tours, and
fieldwork, all led by experts. It is directed to professionals working with national
research programs for bean improvement in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The
course aims to strengthen the scientific capacity of its participants in specific
areas of genetics and traditional improvement, emphasizing the integration of
traditional techniques of genetic improvement with the use of molecular-marker
selection techniques developed in the laboratory. The course will also permit
consolidating bean improvement networks in LAC through the development of joint
projects. This event is sponsored by the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation
and Development (IACD), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Colombian
Institute of Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad (ICETEX, its Spanish
acronym). The host institution, CIAT, has more than 20 years of experience
in bean research in LAC, particularly in developing high-yielding, pest-and-disease
resistant varieties, of which about 110 have been developed in collaboration with
national research programs. Biotechnology techniques and molecular markers have
been used for the crop’s genetic improvement since 1987 and for studying
its genetic diversity and classification since 1994. The sponsors—IACD,
OAS, and ICETEX—will provide 10 grants to professionals of OAS member countries
(but excluding Colombia, the host country). The grants include international airfares,
accommodation and board at CIAT headquarters, reference materials, and health
insurance. For more information on: - The grants, contact the OAS
Office in the capital city of your country.
- The course, contact
Alfredo Caldas, Coordinator of Scientific Training at CIAT, at:
E-mail: a.caldas@cgiar.org
Phone: +57 (2) 445 0000
Fax: +57 (2) 445 0073
Postal address: Apartado Aéreo
6713, Cali, Colombia 
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