Master Classes Enhancing technology transfer for agriculture in developing countries.

Master Classes

Dr Eric Craswell

A feature of the training scheme is a specialised program of Master Classes, coordinated by Dr Eric Craswell. The Master Classes program identifies new areas of knowledge, which are changing the way research is conducted, particularly in developing countries. In addition to courses on cutting edge technical topics such as molecular genetics, biodiversity, and biosecurity, the Fund has conducted Master Classes on intellectual property and research management, science communications and the management of technology transfer, as well as, more recently, environmentally oriented areas such as sustainable resources management.

Master Classes are primarily aimed at mid career agricultural scientists, senior administrators, senior academic personnel, decision makers and public servants in developing countries. Each Class consists of 12 - 20 participants. Equal participation of men and women is desirable and a special effort is made to include several self-funded Australian participants, especially in workshops held in Australia, to enhance networking opportunities between overseas participants and their peers in Australia

The Classes take two or three weeks, with lectures, discussion sessions, video presentations, laboratory work and field visits. Classes that do not involve laboratory work last for two weeks. Master Classes can be held in Australia or in a co-operating country in Asia and the Pacific. Recently several Master Classes have been held in Africa. Since they began in 1992, more than 800 people, including some Australians, have participated in 42 Master Classes. The demand for participation in the classes always exceeds the places available.

Essential features of a Master Class are:

• A focused topic and program designed to bring the skills of participants to a higher level within the field in which they actively work and are already trained;
• Participants dedicated to improving their skills and knowledge, and a good command of English or the appropriate language for the Master Class;
• A champion with an established reputation who will take responsibility for organizing the course mechanics and content;
• A host institution with the facilities and administrative back-up to run the Master Class; and
• Additional donor support in funds and in kind to supplement the support from the Crawford Fund master class program.

Particpants at the Impact assessment Master Class in Hyderabad
are "walking the Impact Pathway"

Reports on Previous Master Classes