A few thoughts from a Kenyan visitor

Our project Capacitate East Africa has as one of its activities short-term training of Masters students from the African partners in molecular biology for plant breeding. Capacitate is a partnership funded by the EU ACP Science and Technology Programme. It is led by Uganda Martyr’s University, and also involves Kenyatta University and the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, both in Kenya, as partners. Associates were ICRISAT and BecA, the Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) hub.

Capacitate’s overall objective is to increase the capacity of crop research in East Africa to produce improved, well-adapted, farmer-acceptable crop varieties and enhanced food security. Specific objectives are:

1. To develop the capacity for improved breeding methods, in particular using a few-cross strategy and client-oriented methods, to be applied in plant breeding programmes by the network of partners in East Africa.
2. To encourage the appropriate use of molecular marker technology to augment these breeding programmes by the partner institutions in East Africa.

As well as these training visits, activities include courses in Africa on a range of topics from project management, networking, statistics and experimental design, participatory plant breeding (Client-oriented breeding), and scientific-writing.

We are hoping that a second phase of Capacitate will go ahead, with a slightly different focus. The application was submitted a few weeks ago, and we will hear soon whether or not it was successful.

Caroline Mukiri being presented with her training certificate by Dr Katherine Steele

We recently said goodbye to Caroline Mukiri (pictured above), who was with us for six months under this programme. Before she left, we asked her for a few words for this blog. This is what she said:

"When I was invited to Bangor for the training in molecular breeding by Dr Katherine Steele of CAPACITATE East Africa, I was so excited and indeed the stay at Bangor was so helpful and nurturing. Under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Steele, who was very helpful in directing me and explaining concepts that I had problems with, my stay was so exiting as I did what I loved most. The staff were very helpful in directing me and providing all that I needed for my work in the university. Compared to the university where I am graduating (Kenyatta University), Bangor University has very good facilities and ease of their access. The labs are well equipped."

"My best experience was working closely with Dr Katherine, who explained the kind of work I was doing and most importantly took me through QTL analysis of beta glucan trait in a barley project she undertook. I had a great hand on experience in DNA extraction, PCR, Gel electrophoresis and CEQ DNA fragment analysis. I also was able to run beta glucan and amylose content assays. The university offered opportunities to attend seminars which were very helpful."

"My stay at Bangor was during winter which made it so cold for me compared to the climate in my home country Kenya. The cold was my worst experience even though it did not get me down to prevent me from enjoying the opportunity to be at Bangor."

"I really appreciated the opportunity and thank my supervisors both in Kenya and at Bangor for being keen on me and helping me through the training as I did my masters project. I thank Dr. Katherine Steele for the opportunity to work in her Barley for food project and present part of it as my masters thesis in my graduating university (Kenyatta)."

"I thank the entire WINR family for being keen on my work and offering me with necessary help. I appreciate CAPACITATE East Africa project and working with them will be my greatest joy to further their work and achieve the set goals."

We wish Caroline the best of luck with her MSc, and, along with the other student visitors we have hosted, well for their future careers.