IFS eNews No. 13, November 2004
IFS eNews appears quarterly. Ad hoc newsbulletins (fellowship announcements etc) are also sent out to all IFS eNews subscribers. We hope that it is an effective way to inform you about recent developments. Your comments on the contents of IFS eNews are most welcome to info@ifs.se
Developing Science - Science for Development
In this issue
1. Viewpoint
International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, Australia
2. www.ifs.se
3. Apply for grants now!
3.1 December 31 deadline for 2004 applications
3.2 “Water & Food”- special call for research proposals
3.3 Calling teams of young scientists in West and Central Africa
3.4 Research on land productivity or indigenous plant
resources in Sub-Saharan Africa
4. Grants, awards and alumni
4.1 June 2004 grant applications
4.2 7th Sven Brohult Award
4.3 Former Pakistani Science Minister visits
4.4 Awards & Alumni
5. Partnerships and funding
5.1 The Flemish InterUniversity Council
6. Meetings and workshops
6.1 Workshop: Pesticides and Organic Pollutants in Africa
6.2 Forestry/poverty alleviation: CIFOR & IFS launch PEN
6.3 Focus on scientific equipment: NITUB and NUSESA
7. IFS Secretariat
7.1 Staff on the move
7.2 Hello and farewell
8. Recent publications
9. Announcements
9.1 World Aquaculture 2005, May 2005, Bali
9.2 11th Napreca Symposium, August 2005, Madagascar
9.3 African Journal of Ethnomedicines
1. VIEWPOINT
International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, Australia, 26 September – 1 October, 2004.
The IFS flag was hoisted high in the Asia/Pacific region through involvement in the 4th International Crop Science Congress in Brisbane, which had more than 1200 participants. It was a good start for the 2005 focus on Asia year.
We are very grateful to our Australian hosts for the opportunities that this Congress provided. The Convention Centre in Brisbane provided ample space for plenary lectures and technical sessions, with poster exhibitions in the exhibition hall along with some fifty information booths promoting different organisations. The IFS seminar attracted nearly 60 participants, while the IFS booth was strategically located near the entrance to the exhibition hall, very easy for a constant flow of visitors to find. Many informal meetings were held with present and former grantees, advisers, prospective applicants and university professors. A number of specific initiatives emerged, as well as a general exchange of information.
The IFS team of Director Michael Ståhl, Ingrid Lindhe and Brian Porter, were able to show that IFS is a relevant and appreciated institution for scientific capacity building in the Asia/Pacific region. Speaking at the IFS seminar, Dr Ståhl emphasised that scientists from Asia form the biggest category of grantees, thus refuting the opinion that “IFS is only concerned with Africa”.
Professor Vichai Reutrakul, one of the very first IFS grantees, now Professor of Chemistry at Mahidol University, Thailand and a well known and respected scientist throughout the Asia-Pacific region, spoke at the IFS seminar on the pivotal role IFS had in his decision to devote himself fully to science after completing his PhD. Prof Vichai also talked about IFS in general as an efficient, transparent, responsive and non-political organization.
Professor Qifa Zhang, Dean of the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China, and former IFS grantee, had a prominent role in the Congress, delivering a lecture on the rice genome.
We were well supported at the Congress by IFS friends, with former grantees and scientific advisers taking an active part in the IFS seminar and in other events. Scientific adviser Professor Barry Noller, Deputy Director of the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX) at the University of Queensland was an invaluable organiser, adviser and ally. IFS alumni included Professor Vichai Reutrakul (Thailand), Professor Qifa Zhang (China), Dr Leocadio Sebastian (Philippines), Dr Edilberto Redona (Philippines) and Dr Riaz Mann (Pakistan). Grantees Dr Isiah Wakindiki (Kenya) and Mr Nhamo Nhamo (Zimbabwe) presented their research work in poster sessions.
Dr Madan Mohan Dey, a senior scientist at the Worldfish Centre in Penang, Malaysia, was another of the people enthusiastic about IFS activities, and he stimulated ideas for potential Worldfish Centre/IFS collaboration.
2. www.ifs.se
If you are reading this news by e-mail, you may like to visit the vibrant new IFS website: www.ifs.se It is lively, colourful, informative and entertaining. Check out the rotating photo gallery of IFS grantees – and yes, it is now possible to find information on specific grantees.
All the detailed information about different grants, deadlines, the application forms and much more is available at www.ifs.se Comments on the website would be very welcome, contact: webmaster@ifs.se
3. Apply for grants now!
3.1 IFS GRANTS
The application deadline for IFS grants and for all the special initiatives noted below: December 31, 2004.
Researchers are welcome to apply for an IFS grant at any time, but December 31 is the cut off point for grants to be announced June 2005. Full information is available on the IFS website, www.ifs.se
3.2 “WATER AND FOOD” SPECIAL CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS
IFS, in collaboration with the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF), invites research proposals related to the more effective use and management of water in agriculture and food production – while improving rural livelihoods and protecting the environment.
Priority will be given to good applications from researchers based at institutions in countries adjacent to any one of the nine great river basins being studied in the Challenge Program: the Andean system of basins, Indo Gangetic basin, Limpopo basin, Mekong basin, Nile basin, Volta basin, Yellow River Basin, Karkheh basin and Sao Francisco basin. More details and application forms are available on www.ifs.se
The CGIAR Challenge Program on Water & Food is an ambitious research, extension and capacity building programme that aims to significantly increase the efficiency of water use in agriculture. Following its first call, 50 research projects were approved, half of which have received funding. Details of the Inception Phase (Nov 2002 – Oct 2003), research themes, the nature of projects funded, followup reports and research, etc, are available on the website www.waterforfood.org
3.3 CALLING TEAMS OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
IFS and CORAF-WECARD (Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricoles – West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development) announce a joint initiative to support research teams in West and Central Africa and now issue a special call for team proposals.
The aim of the initiative is to support young researchers from the National Agriculture Research Systems (NARS) in West and Central Africa to carry out relevant research projects of high quality. The long term goal is to strengthen agricultural research capacity in the region.
IFS and CORAF-WECARD are therefore inviting multidisciplinary teams in West and Central Africa to submit high-quality research proposals in the priority areas of food security and productivity: focusing on processing, improving the quality of agricultural produce, agro-forestry, cereals, root/tuber crops, food legumes and crop-livestock integration.
Teams (which may be international) should generally consist of two to five
researchers and a Team Coordinator.
More information
The deadline for this call is December 31, 2004.
3.4 RESEARCH ON LAND PRODUCTIVITY OR INDIGENOUS
PLANT RESOURCES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
IFS and UNU-INRA (The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa) are pleased to issue a call for research proposals to young scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Proposals for research projects may address biological, chemical, physical, socio-cultural or economic research topics that are important for the conservation, production or renewable utilisation of biological and water resources. Researchers from natural science and social science disciplines are eligible.
Apply on the standard IFS grant application forms, available here.
4. Grants, grantees and alumni
4.1 JUNE 2004 GRANT APPLICATIONS
IFS received nearly 700 applications for a first grant from January to June 2004. Nineteen percent of these applications came from Latin America and the Caribbean, 25% from South and South East Asia and the Pacific, 4% from the Middle East and North Africa, and 52% from Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition almost 60 applications for renewal grants were received, with more than one third of these coming from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Thanks to dedicated work by our scientific advisers, experts, specialists and the Scientific Advisory Committees, recommendations have been developed and applicants will be notified of the decisions in January 2005.
4.2 7TH SVEN BROHULT AWARD (2004)
Professor Enrique Galindo from the Department of Cell Engineering and Biocatalysis, Institute of Biotechnology of the National University of Mexico, has been awarded the 7th IFS Sven Brohult Award. [The Sven Brohult Award of $10,000 and is given every 3rd year to an IFS grantee, in recognition of his/her excellent research work. It is named after Dr Sven Brohult, the first President of IFS. More information.]
Professor Galindo has been contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of bio-processing engineering, particularly in complex fermentation processes. He has worked on different aspects of the production of microbial polysaccharides using xanthan gum as the main model. This polysaccharide is produced by Xanthomas campestris. Prof Galindo has contributed to the development of new methods to screen, preserve and characterize the xanthan producing strains. He has also contributed to the better understanding of different aspects of process engineering such as the rheology of fermentation broths, the optimization of mixing conditions, the efficient use of power drawn by agitation, and xanthan recovery by precipitation. Furthermore, Prof Galindo has studied the production of alginate by Azotobacter vinelandii and he has shown in his work that the use of genetically engineered mutants with interesting characteristics improves the possibility of creating custom made polymers. The latter could compete with the current commercial alginate that is extracted from marine algae.
Prof Galindo has built an important experimental infrastructure in the field of mixing and accurate power drawn measurements thanks to his IFS grants and other sources of funding. He has four Mexican patents, and has participated in the development of four biotechnological processes which have been transferred to industry. He has published 67 papers in international peer reviewed journals.
4.3 VISIT BY FORMER PAKISTANI SCIENCE MINISTER
Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman of Pakistan visited IFS in early November. He is an eminent scientist, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan, former Minister of Science and Technology, Coordinator-General of the Commission of Science and Technology (COMSTECH) of the Organization of Islamic States and a former IFS grantee. COMSTECH is a partner organization of IFS in a joint grant scheme.
Professor Atta-ur-Rahman visited IFS during his tour of Europe to promote cooperation between Pakistani and European institutions in the field of science and technology. Prof ur-Rahman gave a presentation about recent developments in science in Pakistan. The collaboration between IFS and COMSTECH was also discussed.
Prof ur-Rahman was one of the first IFS grantees in the field of Natural Products Chemistry. His first research grant in 1976 and three subsequent grants enabled him to establish his career. Now Prof ur-Rahman is a renowned scientist with more than 540 publications in leading international journals in Chemistry.
4.4 AWARDS & ALUMNI
IFS grantee Dr Dachriyanus from the Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Andalas University, Pandang, Indonesia, was awarded the Young Researcher Award from the Vice-Chancellor at Andalas University, in September.
IFS Scientific Adviser and former grantee Dr Philippe Rasoanaivo from Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquée in Madagascar has been nominated Chevalier des Palmes Academiques Francaises.
Former IFS grantee, Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan received the Civil Award on Pakistan Independence Day.
5. Partnerships and funding
5.1 THE FLEMISH INTERUNIVERSITY COUNCIL
The Flemish InterUniversity Council (VLIR), Brussels, Belgium, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IFS, on funding research projects from researchers linked to one of the VLIR IUC partner universities – in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Scientific Adviser Professor Patrick Sorgeloos has been instrumental in negotiating this funding, and IFS is very grateful for his continuous efforts on behalf of our potential grantees. Under the terms of the agreement VLIR will make available to IFS a budget of 135,000 Euros for the research grants.
6. Meetings and workshops
6.1 WORKSHOP: PESTICIDES AND OTHER ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN AFRICA
An International Workshop, Pesticides and Other Organic Pollutants in Africa: Monitoring and Mitigation, will be conducted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, January 24-28, 2005 and be followed by a proposal writing training session on 29 January.
The purpose of the workshop is to support research on the monitoring and mitigation of pollution caused by pesticides and other organic compounds in Africa. The workshop will provide theoretical and practical training with appropriate analytical methods; scientific training for young researchers; list analytical equipment available in the region and discuss service and maintenance of that equipment. Of course it will also provide a valuable opportunity for scientists to share experiences and establish informal networks.
For further information contact cecilia.oman@ifs.se or bonziy@univ-ouaga.bf
Dr Cecilia Öman will lead the after-workshop proposal writing training session. It is intended for potential applicants for IFS research grants and potential team coordinators for IFS teams.
The host and local organiser is the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and IFS is co-organiser.
6.2 FORESTRY/POVERTY ALLEVIATION: CIFOR & IFS LAUNCH PEN
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in collaboration with
IFS has launched the Poverty Environment Network (PEN). The network will focus
on the role of tropical forests and forest resources in poverty alleviation.
Forests are important for millions of people as poverty safety nets, for supporting
current consumption and, in some cases, by offering a pathway out of poverty.
But there is only scattered and very limited quantitative information on these
functions. A key element of the network will be the development of a common
data bank on forest use, based on field data collected by the research participants.
The first PEN workshop for young researchers, which focused on data issues and research methodologies, was held at CIFOR HQ in Bogor, Indonesia in September.
Read more on http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/docs/_ref/publications/newsonline/36/pen.htm
6.3 FOCUS ON SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT
Two regional networks for users of scientific equipment have been following through on their commitment to provide information and training on the proper use, maintenance and repair of scientific equipment.
NITUB, the Network of Instrument Technical personnel and User scientists
of Bangladesh held a regional workshop in Dhaka in March 2004; and NUSESA,
the Network of Users of Scientific Equipment in Eastern and Southern Africa
(www.nusesa.org), held
annual meetings in Mauritius in October in association with the conference
on Sustainable Development in the Chemical Field and the Sciences.
7. IFS Secretariat
7.1 STAFF ON THE MOVE
IFS people have been roaming the globe to further the work of IFS, participating in conferences and workshops, scientific advisory committee (SAC) meetings and exploratory discussions.
Director Michael Ståhl represented IFS at the International Crop Science Congress Brisbane, Australia 26/9 – 1/10, and in meetings in Kuala Lumpur 8-12 October. Ingrid Lindhe and Brian Porter were also very busy at the congress.
Deputy Director Richard Hall has been involved in discussions in Mali, in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, and in the UK, while Jean-Marc LeBlanc has also been working in Mali, and in Togo, Brussels, Paris, Benin and Senegal.
Annika Eriksson and Ingrid Leemans visited Belgium and Colombia for the scientific advisory committee meetings in Aquatic Resources and Animal Production, respectively.
In Colombia, the SAC committee was given the opportunity to meet with several of the IFS grantees and their study sites in and around Cali where the meeting was held. IFS information seminars were held at various universities in Cali, Bogota, Villavicencio and Socorro.
In Belgium, IFS information seminars were given in Antwerp, Brussels, Leuven
and Ghent, attended by around 250 potential IFS applicants.
In addition, visits were paid to donors and potential collaborating partners.
In September Nathalie Persson Andrianasitera attended the Microfood 2004 conference in Portoroz, Slovenia, organised by the International Committee for Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH) whose president is IFS adviser Prof Wilhlem Holzapfel, from the Federal Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany. The committee gathered leaders in food microbiology to identify research priorities. Nathalie presented IFS to the board of the ICFMH as the starting point to explore future collaboration on how the two organisations could support and strengthen research capacity in the field of food safety and hygiene in developing countries.
The recent Food Science SAC meeting was co-hosted by the Syngenta Foundation and the Institut d' Etude Rurale (IER) in Bamako, Mali. In connection with her trip to Bamako, Nathalie Persson visited different research institutions, including the Food Technology department of the IER in Sotuba. The purpose of the visit was to meet scientists for discussions on their ongoing research projects, their needs and how they could fit into the IFS food science and nutrition research granting programme. Nathalie also met with the coordinator of the Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA) in West Africa, Dr Robert Kagbo, to explore how IEHA and IFS could join forces through capacity building.
Social Science programme coordinator Eren Zink visited Bogor, Indonesia, September 19-26 for a workshop organized by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), to participate in an IFS information seminar at Bogor Agricultural University and to manage an IFS proposal writing workshop. He also attended the conference on Trees, Rain and Politics in Africa: the dynamics and politics of climatic and environmental change, held at Oxford University, UK and an IFS Seminar at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Cecilia Öman and Eva Rostig combined the Water Research Area SAC meeting in The Hague in early November with a visit to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Purchasing Manager Josiane Lindberg participated in the NUSESA (Network of users of scientific equipment in Eastern and Southern Africa) Annual Meetings, Mauritius 25 -29 October, which included a conference on “Sustainable Development in the Chemical Field and the Sciences”.
7.2 WELCOME AND FAREWELL
A warm welcome is extended to Lauresther Ekbäck, who has just joined IFS as registration and alumni administrator. She adds another country to the international community at IFS, as Lauresther comes from Brazil.
We have just said a fond farewell to Tanja Lundén, who recently left IFS. Tanja worked at IFS for nearly four years, most recently in communication. And we appreciated the contribution Eva Haddleton made while she worked here on a short term contract as purchasing manager.
8. Recent publications
IFS has recently published reports based on presentations made during two
seminars.
Strengthening capacity for water resources research in developing countries
Addressing the Peaceful Application of Chemistry
International seminar in conjunction with the Stockholm Water Symposium 2003
Cecilia Öman, Michael Ståhl and Eva Rostig
Download here
Purchasing, servicing and maintenance of scientific equipment in Western Africa
International Workshop, University of Buea, Cameroon, November 5-9, 2002
Report edited by Cecilia Öman and Jenny Lidholm
Download here
Both reports are available now from IFS. Request specific publications by email to info@ifs.se
9. Announcements
If you have an invitation to an event that could be of interest to the readers of IFS eNews – people working in fields related to the sustainable management of biological resources – e-mail it to info@ifs.se for publication in this section of the next IFS eNEWS.
9.1 WORLD AQUACULTURE 2005 – BALI.
Aquaculture History and Innovation will be featured in the international conference being organised by the World Aquaculture Society, Bali, Indonesia, May 2005. For more information see http://www.was.org
9.2 11TH NAPRECA SYMPOSIUM, AUGUST 2005, MADAGASCAR
The Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA) will focus on natural products and drug discovery in their symposium August 9-12, 2005, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. It will be preceded by a one-week workshop for young researchers.
Call for abstracts. Individuals who wish to present their work on any aspect of natural products and drug discovery are invited to submit an abstract for consideration as an oral or poster presentation. E-mail: rafita@wanadoo.mg
9.3 AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ETHNOMEDICINES
The new African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative medicines (AJTCAM), aims to publish exciting research in the areas of applied medicinal plants, traditional medicines, complementary alternative medicines, food and agricultural technologies, and promotion of the healthy use of medicinal products. All articles will be peer reviewed. The journal will be published on-line at www.africanethnomedicines.net and the publishers are now calling for articles – check the web-site.
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