ESA, the European Seed Association is establishing an “Outstanding Student Award” for the European Plant Breeding Academy (EPBA). The very first award will be given to the most outstanding student of the first class of the EPBA that will graduate in September of 2011.
The award presentation will take place during the General Assembly at the upcoming ESA Annual Meeting in Budapest, October 16-18, 2011.
The European Seed Association is the single EU-wide organisation representing the associations and companies active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seed of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species.
Garlich von Essen, Secretary General of ESA, was instrumental in the idea of the award. He notes that, “ESA recognizes the increasing demand for trained professionals in the seed industry, especially plant breeders. We are very supportive to the establishment of the Plant Breeding Academy in Europe. This award is a symbol of our continuous support to the EPBA program”.
The European Plant Breeding Academy is organized by the University of California Davis, in cooperation with several European institutions and organisations. It is a postgraduate program that teaches the fundamentals of plant breeding, genetics and statistics through lectures, discussion and field trips to public and private breeding programs.
Employers appreciate the opportunity to provide their valued employees advanced training without disrupting their full-time employment. Participants attend six 6-day sessions in six countries. The instructors are internationally recognized experts in plant breeding and seed technology.
Applications are now being accepted for the second class of the European Plant Breeding Academy beginning in October of 2011.
For more information on the UC Davis European Plant Breeding Academy or the Plant Breeding Academy in the United States visit the website of UC Davis or contact Joy Patterson.