ne of the goals and greatest benefits of the Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs) is increasing the capacity of individuals in both developing countries and the US. The guidelines for CRSPs state this goal: "While the major thrust of CRSP is the generation of solutions to priority problems through research, a concomitant objective is the generation of a research capability in the countries where the CRSP is functioning so that they can increasingly carry out independent research and help less fortunate neighboring countries. The institutional building component is a natural part of the research activities under the CRSPs."
To this end, each of the nine CRSPs carries out capacity-building activities through both degree and non-degree programs. The chart (below, left) shows the number of individuals who graduated in each of the last five fiscal years from CRSP degree programs, in which host country and US citizens are sponsored for undergraduate and graduate study at participating universities. By working with CRSP participants, students gain valuable research experience and the ability to pass on to others the knowledge gained through CRSP-sponsored research. PD/A CRSP graduates hold faculty positions in Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the US. Others work for international programs such as the FAO and the World Bank and for governmental aquaculture agencies. In the past year, the PD/A CRSP assisted 35 US and 36 international students with funding, training, and research opportunities. Program researchers and students gave 39 presentations at scientific conferences in 10 countries.
Non-degree training takes place at many levels, from short courses and workshops conducted by CRSP researchers to laboratory and computer training of university and agency personnel to demonstration days, in which CRSP-developed technologies are shared with farmers, women's groups, and schoolchildren. The number of individuals receiving training from each of the reporting CRSPs is shown in the chart (below, right). During the past year, PD/A CRSP workshops to disseminate research results were held in five countries and provided training for more than 100 host country agency employees and 120 farmers.
In recognition of the importance of training activities to the success of the CRSPs, this issue of Aquanews celebrates the successful completion of degrees by nine individuals (see stories on pp. 7, 8, and 11). In each issue we interview a current CRSP-sponsored graduate student. This month we spoke with Potjanee Nadtirom, who is studying at Thailand's Asian Institute of Technology (link to story).
