Wrap-up of Pipra's workshop in Vietnam

We've been meaning to write for some time about our recent workshop in Vietnam. As many "Pipra friends" know, we have a grant from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) to teach about IP management in Vietnam. We're helping public research institutions there learn about patenting, in-licensing, out-licensing, commercialization, and, in general, how to maximize the return on their public research dollars.

On November 27th and 28th, PIPRA hosted the first of three annual workshops in Hanoi, Vietnam entitled “Intellectual Property Rights and Commercialization of Research Results of Institutions in the Field of Agriculture and Biotechnology” (a long title, which, we are told sounds better in Vietnamese!). The workshop was co-organized with the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

We happy to say that the workshop was an unqualified success. We had over 80 attendees from more than 21 different institutions and some excellent speakers including Ramon Oliveros, from IRRI; Atty. Antonio Beronio, from PhilRice; Dr. Shashank Mauria, from ICAR; and Dr. Saowaluck Pornkulwat from Monsanto Thailand.

Apply Now for the Plant Breeding Academy - Space is Limited!

The Plant Breeding Academy (PBA), sponsored by the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center, is accepting applications for Class II, which will begin in September 2008. Already accepted to the new class are a number of outstanding professionals from the US, Europe and Africa. These individuals work with a variety of crops including grains, vegetables, and legumes.


The PBA is a two year program designed to meet the needs of working professionals, giving them the critical tools they will need to manage a breeding program. Meeting for six one-week sessions over two years, the academy’s schedule allows participants to maintain their current working positions. The course includes lectures, field trips, discussions, homework, and a comprehensive final project where students design a breeding program.


Taught by internationally recognized plant breeders, the PBA is limited in size to give students personal attention. Visit the Plant Breeding Academy website for more information and to apply for the 2008-2010 Academy. For questions, contact Cathy Glaeser, Program Representative, at clglaeser@ucdavis.edu, or 530-752-4414.