By invitation of Mr. Abdelbagi M. Ismail, Division of Crop and Environmental Science, International Rice research Institute (IRRI), Professor Shu Qingyao visited the Headquarters of IRRI at Los Banos, the Phillippines, 14-19 July 2014. Prof. Shu lectured for the Asian Regional Training Course on Phenotyping and Integrated Plant Mutation Breeding with Best Fit Soil and Water Management Practices. More than 20 participants from 12 countries, i.e. Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, attended the training course. Prof. Shu delivered 9 lectures on mutation techniques, mutation genetics and related biotechnologies for rice improvement, and facilitated two workshops on development of research proposals for relevant countries. The lectures covered the state of art technologies and were tailored for practical needs in rice mutation breeding, and were warmly received by the participants. The trainees also showed great interests in establishing collaboration links with Zhejiang University.
Professor Shu also visited the Hybrid Rice program in IRRI headed by Dr. Xie Fangming. IRRI is leading an international consortium on hybrid rice development (HRDC). The HRDC is now joined by a number of private and public breeding institutions, including multi-national seed companies. Prof. Shu learned the details of the HRDC from Dr. Xie and discussed with him about potential collaborations.
