One of the major constraints to the development of aquaculture in most countries has been recognized to be the scarcity of trained personnel, particularly those with broad-based training and experience in practical aspects of aquaculture production. The core personnel required for aquaculture have been identified as senior aquaculturists and technicians or extension workers. 1/. While the large number of technicians or extension workers needed for the implementation of development programmes have to be trained in their own countries with special focus on production systems of relevance to those countries and the socio-economic conditions under which they have to be applied, the small number of senior aquaculturists who need multidisciplinary broad-based training in all significant aspects of aquaculture will have to be trained on a regional or sub-regional basis. The Asian Network of Aquaculture Centres has been established under the regional project (RAS/76/003) sponsored by several governments of the region and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) within the framework of the UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme and has as its main objectives the implementation of systems-oriented applied research, training of senior aquaculture personnel and establishment of an information system. The project has at present three Regional Aquaculture Lead Centres, viz., The Freshwater Aquaculture Research and Training Centre in Dhauli (Bhubaneswar), Orissa, India; National Inland Fisheries Institute, Bangkok, Thailand and Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. A fourth Lead Centre is now under construction in Wuxi, China.
1
/ UNDP/FAO (1976) Aquaculture Planning in Asia - Report of the Regional Workshop on Aquaculture Planning in Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 1-17 October 1975: 15 pp.
Nature and duration of training
The training offered at the Regional Lead Centre of the Asian Network is intended to equip candidates for senior positions in fishery or allied departments of government, semi-government agencies or private industries to plan and execute aquaculture programmes. It is multidisciplinary in nature and will cover all essential aspects of aquaculture, including selection of sites, design and construction of aquaculture facilities, breeding and rearing of cultivable organisms, relevant physico-chemical, biological and environmental aspects, post-harvest technology, socio-economics and planning.
Although theoretical instruction will be given on all aspects, the training will be heavily oriented to practical work and about 80 percent of the time will be devoted to laboratory and field work. Special attention will be devoted to aquaculture production systems that have immediate application in the region.
The training will initially be for a period of one year, with three 14-15 week academic sessions and two 4-5 week breaks which are expected to be utilized largely for project work and field visits.
Venue
The training headquarters will be in the Regional Lead Centre at SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines, where classroom, laboratory and dormitory facilities will be available. The farm facilities of the Department will be used for practical work as appropriate. Part of the instruction, especially on freshwater aquaculture, will be organized at the Regional Lead Centres in India and Thailand.
Candidates for training
The maximum number of candidates to be admitted for a training course will be 25. The candidates have to be sponsored by their governments and should have some assurance of being employed in aquaculture activities on the completion of training. FAO will invite governments to nominate candidates well in advance of each training session. The minimum academic qualification required is a university degree in biology, fisheries science, or related disciplines. Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience in aquaculture or fisheries work. Final selection of candidates will be made by FAO based on the recommendation of a selection committee.
Medium of instruction
English.
Training Schedule
The training schedule (see annexure) shall consist of 5-day weeks (Monday-Friday) and 8-hour days (from 8 to 12 and from 14 to 18 hours). Detailed programmes of practical and field work will be developed in accordance with the progress of experimental and demonstration work at the regional lead Centre of the network. However, strong emphasis on practical work will be maintained. The ratio of theoretical instruction to practical work in individual courses will range from 1:1 to 1:5. In addition to the scheduled theory and practical classes, the trainees are required to participate in actual production programmes with a view to becoming proficient in aquaculture practices. Each trainee will be required to participate in one or more practical field assignments and to raise an aquaculture crop using one of the systems of culture. This shall be carried out either alone or with one or more of the other trainees, depending on the nature of the project. The inter-sessional breaks will be largely used for work on the allotted projects and for visits to aquaculture sites. The trainees are required to maintain complete records of their laboratory and field work and to prepare a report on their project work. The project report shall be submitted at least a fortnight before the completion of the course.
Evaluation procedure
The performance of the trainees shall be judged by a system of continuous evaluation. There shall be three written or oral tests in each academic session (term), spaced out over the duration of the session. There will thus be nine tests in all. Each test shall consist of objective and subjective types of questions. Marks shall also be awarded on the performance and diligence of the trainees in laboratory and field work, practical records and project work. A minimum of 60 percent marks in the aggregate will be required for eligibility for the award of diploma. A report on the performance and progress of each trainee shall be sent to his/her government at the end of every term.
The allotment of marks shall be as follows:(i) written tests 40%
(ii) performance in practicals 25%
(iii) practical records 15%
(iv) project work 20%
Diploma
A diploma shall be awarded to each successful trainee.
