Annex XII
PROGRESS REPORT
REGIONAL LEAD CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES

SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines

I. Introduction

The 7th NACA Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists in Asia and the Pacific was implemented in collaboration with the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Eighteen participants from nine countries, namely, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam were accepted to the programme.

NACA Project Office Staff

Mrs. Gilda Lio-Po was appointed as Training Coordinator for the NACA Training Course at RLCP, under a Special Service Agreement. Her responsibilities include implementing the senior aquaculturists course in close cooperation with the UPV coordinator and SEAFDEC personnel, teaching subjects within her area of competence, organizing study tours locally and overseas, maintaining accurate financial records of training cost and expenses of trainees, accompanying trainees during local and overseas study tours as appropriate, and preparing a report of the training.

The support staff of the project are the following:

Selection of Participants

Nominees to the course were recommended by their respective governments, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Forty-one candidates were evaluated for admission to the Graduate School. Final selection was based on their respective rank among each country's nominees with a cut-off minimum of 65 per cent. On this basis, 18 participants were chosen, five of them female. Eight were Filipinos, five of whom were graduate students of the UPV and did not receive any funding support, except for the study-tour component which was funded by NACA. Among the 18 participants, three had Masters' degrees; and 89 per cent had brackishwater aquaculture-related jobs in their countries.

Funding support is as follows:

* Funds being disbursed by UPV for three UPV scholars exclusive of tuition waiver.

Selection of Instructors

A meeting with the representatives of SEAFDEC-AQD and University of the Philippines in the Visayas determined the main instructors for the 17 core subjects and 3 supplementary subjects. The main instructors are issued a faculty appointment by the University. Resource speakers or guest lecturers are invited upon the recommendation of the main instructor.

Course Programme

The subjects included in the training programme combine the curriculum for the Training of Aquaculturists in the Asian Aquaculture Network (ADCP/REP/80/13) and the curriculum for the Master of Aquaculture degree of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Special lectures on Technical Report Writing, Research Proposal Writing and Biostatistics are included. The proportion of lectures and field work for the core subjects is shown in the appendix. The participants were registered in the UPV for the summer term, the first semester, and the second semester.

Study tours were conducted in the three lead centres in India, Thailand and China. Field trips to aquaculture facilities in Luzon were also undertaken. The schedule included lectures, practical sessions and field trips. The trainees were accompanied to India and Thailand by the UPV Coordinator, Prof. Valeriano Corre; and to China by the Training Coordinator, Mrs. Gilda L. Po.

Medical Scheme

The participants are covered by an Accident and Health Insurance by the Philippine American General Insurance Company for the entire period of their training course. In addition, the trainees can also consult the Medical Officer of SEAFDEC AQD.

Problems Encountered

Problems during the initial organization of the course associated with the lack of a full-time staff responsible for course organization were resolved with the cooperation of the SEAFDEC-AQD and UPV staff and with the recruitment of the Training Coordinator. Others included the following:

1. Delay in the repair of office and laboratory equipment due to the lack of locally available spare parts. The host institution helped out by lending the needed equipment.

2. Increased operational costs.

3. Lack of English proficiency of some participants, which was remedied by tutorial classes arranged by the Project.

Appendix 1

Summary of Lectures/Practical Topics
Course: Pen and Cage Culture

Others

Written report on the observation tours (Philippines and other countries) on practices related to pen and cage farming.

Appendix 2

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Appendix 3

Seminars/Term Papers/Reports of the Participants to the
7th NACA Training Course

* Individual Report,
** Group Reports on Practicum Exercises.