A project kick-off meeting on “Nematology Summer Course – Ethiopia“ was held on Jan 8 and 9, 2018 at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University. This project is based on institutional bilateral agreement between Ghent University and Jimma University for educational and research exchange.
The meeting began with a welcoming remark made by Mr. Dereje Bekele, Dean College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, in which he addressed the significance of the field of nematology for the agricultural economy of the country and assured that the college is committed to fully materialize the project.
On January 8, of the morning session, there were four public seminars by Dr. Beira H. Meressa on “A growing concern for crop production and the role of Nema-alumni for future nematology in Ethiopia”; “International MSc in Agro- and Environmental Nematology and the importance of Nematology Education” by Inge Dehennin (Gent University); “Nematodes of Agricultural Importance” by Dr Matthew Back (Harper Adams Uni); and by Prof. Wim Bert (Gent Uni) on “The general importance of nematodes and their identification”
The Nematology Summer Course is a six weeks intensive training in the period July – August and will run for 3 consecutive years. The first edition will be in the summer of 2018. The course will deal with Nematological techniques, Nematode identification, quantitative nematology, entomopathogenic nematodes and biotechnology, nematode control and experimental setups. There are 10 student positions available each year for which the ICP Nematology offers local travel grants of 1365 € to cover flight, accommodation and daily expenses. These scholarships are intended for staff working at institutes mainly related in plant protection. The project is sponsored by the ICP nematology and VLIR-UOS and is of its first kind that will improve the outreach and support to the Ethiopian Nematology alumni.
