As part of the US million grant-in-aid project on “Enhancing Livestock Sector Performance in the Philippines”, staff members of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) were selected to participate in the training course on Empowerment for Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle in the Philippines.
The project is a joint undertaking by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The course helped to enhance the competencies of PCC scientists and researchers along the disciplines of molecular genetics, breeding and genetics, bioinformatics, reproductive biotechnology, cryobanking, disease detection and embryo transfer through trainings on advanced technologies in Korea.
Korean experts shared first-hand knowledge and experience in dairy cattle.
The training was meant to help improve the overall performance of dairy cattle industry and semen production in the country, establish a system through technology application to enhance the performance of the dairy cattle and stock production and maintain continuous exchange of technology for the dairy cattle development.
Dr. Liza Battad, PCC Chief for Planning and Special Projects Division, said the training endeavored to improve the technical capacities of the PCC staff aligned with the additional mandate given to PCC as the lead agency for livestock biotechnology.
She also emphasized that the overall PCC genetic improvement program benefited most from the training.
The trainees underwent a three month on-the-job training at Hankyong National University, Gyonggi-do, Korea.
Their training was held from October 11 to December 22.
The trainees were Jennifer Maramba, Laboratory Aide II; Phoebe LyndiaLlantada, Research Assistant; and Jeffrey Jerome Balaoing, Systems Administrator on Breeding and Genetics; Amie Villanueva, Research Assistant;Trinidad Fernando, Research Assistant; and Roxan Grace Cacho, Laboratory Assistant on Molecular Genetics; Flocerfida Aquino, Training Specialist; Thelma Saludes, Senior Science Research Specialist;and Emma Venturina, Senior Science Research Specialist on Reproductive Biotechnology.
The training designed included a mix of lectures and on-the-spot practices for technology sharing, direct experience of knowledge through study visits to related institutions and in-depth educations from the expert groups on animal improvement technology.
Under the KOICA-DA agreement, which will end in November this year, equipment and laboratory facilities will be donated to PCC to be manned by those who underwent the training.
Graduates of the training course are expected to cascade their learning to other PCC staff who will be involve in the same task.
The second training will be held this March to June. Seven new trainees from PCC have already been selected.
