African Plant Breeding Academy – Class III – Call for Applicants

In collaboration with The African Union New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency and the African Orphan Crops Consortium (http://www.africanorphancrops.org), the University of California, Davis is opening registration for Class III of the African Plant Breeding Academysm. The Plant Breeding Academy is a premium professional certificate program currently offered in the USA, Europe and Africa.  Ten classes offered worldwide since 2006 were attended by 215 breeders from 50 countries, making the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy the most recognized program of its kind.  The program covers the fundamentals and the most recent developments in plant breeding theory and practice. 

The goal of the African Plant Breeding Academy is to train practicing African plant breeders in the most advanced theory and technologies for plant breeding in support of critical decisions for crop improvement.  This includes the latest concepts in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, statistics and experimental design. It also includes accurate and precise trait evaluations, development of appropriate strategies to integrate genomics into breeding programs, and experience in identifying and utilizing DNA-based markers in breeding programs. 

The program is delivered in three 2-week sessions in Nairobi, Kenya, at the World Agroforestry Centre.

Participant criteria and selection

Classes are limited to 30 students.  All participants must be based in Africa.

Ideal applicants will:

1. Have a Ph.D. or Masters degree with significant plant breeding experience

2. Have taken courses in statistics, genetics and breeding

3. Must be currently managing a breeding program in any crop

4. Have proficiency in English language

5. Be available to attend all sessions

Course session dates

A call is being issued for applications for Class III of this course, for which the three 2-week sessions will be held:

• Weeks 1 & 2: May 14-27, 2017
• Weeks 3 & 4: November 26-December 9, 2017
• Weeks 5 & 6: May 13-26, 2018

Selected students will be offered a fully paid scholarship from the African Orphan Crops Consortium that covers tuition, all materials, travel and accommodations.

Closing date for application is January 27, 2017.

Click here for Application Information