The Panel sincerely thanks the Board, Management and staff of CIMMYT for their excellent support during all stages of the Review. The Panel is particularly grateful for the constructive attitude, the warm hospitality and the help given whenever requested.
The arrangements for the Panel's visits to the Headquarters and to the outreach programmes in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, Nepal and India, Thailand, and Guatemala were simply excellent. The Panel is very thankful for the support and hospitality generously given by CIMMYT staff, Government officials and NARS collaborators.
The Panel would also like to acknowledge with thanks the efforts made by CIMMYT staff in responding to the Panel's questionnaire. The responses received were very useful in helping the Panel to better understand perceptions of professional and support staff at both Headquarters and in the outreach locations.
Patricia Lopez, Executive Assistant to the Director General served as focal point to the Review team, and to the TAC Secretariat in the logistical and organizational aspects of this Review. She was a pleasure to deal with and ensured that every assistance was given to the Panel so that our work could always be conducted efficiently. Claudio Cafati, Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance, Linda Ainsworth, Head of Visitors and Conference Services, Peter Ninnes, Executive Officer, Edith Hesse, Manager Information Technology, and each of the members of the MAC and RCC were also very helpful during various phases of the Review. Kelly Cassaday, Head of Publications and Alma McNab, Science Writer/Editor, assisted the Panel in the final polishing of the report and arranged for it to be printed. Guillermo Ibarra and staff of Computer Services helped the Panel in overcoming occasional computer problems. Finally, the staff of the Guesthouse did everything possible to make our stay as comfort and pleasant as possible. To all, the Panel is very grateful.
The Panel greatly appreciated the hospitality of Tim, Pat and Jane Reeves who organized a magnificent Noche Mexicana, and of Claudio and Patricia Cafati who organized a splendid lunch. Several CIMMT staff also invited Panel Members to their homes and this was always a pleasant experience.
Thanks are also due to Irmi Braun-Castaldi of the TAC Secretariat for assistance to the Panel with respect to travel and administrative aspects of the Review.
Finally, the Panel would like to say a special word of thanks to Jane Garrioch of the TAC Secretariat without whose good humour, very hard work well beyond the call of duty, and skill in word processing, the report would never have appeared on time. She was thereby ably and pleasantly assisted by Pilar Junco. Their efficiency and patience, particularly during moments of stress, and their charm were greatly appreciated by the Panel.
