Apply for the Africa Plant Breeding Academy Class VAfrica Plant Breeding Academy Class V Call for Applications period is now open.

In collaboration with The African Union New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), The Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA), Mars, Incorporated and the African Orphan Crops Consortium, Class IV of the University of California, Davis African Plant Breeding AcademySM begins in November.

The UC Davis African Plant Breeding Academy is a premium professional certificate program. To date, more than 80 scientists from 25 countries across the African continent have participated.

This program is part of global professional training coordinated by UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy serving crop improvement professionals in the North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, 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. UC Davis is often recognized as a top University in the world for teaching and research in agriculture.

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 instructors are internationally recognized experts in plant breeding, genetics, and seed technology. The program is delivered in three 2-week sessions at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Participant Criteria and Selection

Class V size is limited to 35 students. All participants must be based in Africa and must be actively managing a breeding program.

Ideal applicants will:

  • Hold a Ph.D. or Masters degree with significant plant breeding experience
  • Have taken courses in statistics, genetics and breeding
  • Be currently employed and managing a breeding program in any crop
  • Have proficiency in English language
  • Be available to attend all three sessions

This six-week program will be delivered in three 2-week classes with session one beginning in Nairobi, Kenya in May, 2020. The instructors are internationally recognized experts in plant breeding and seed technology.  Scholarships are available for select students to attend this prestigious program.

Classes are limited to 35 students. All students will be from Africa.

COURSE DATES (students must attend all three sessions)

  • Session 1: May 10 – 23, 2020
  • Session 2: November 29 – December 12, 2020
  • Session 3: May 16 – 29, 2021

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