Constructing an international network

The CultiVar project is built upon a large international partnership and is associated with different international initiatives dealing with plant breeding

CultiVar builds on existing established MSc and PhD curricula, initially in France, Senegal and Vietnam, and proposes a global organization for a fine match between training needs/expectations from the higher education system and up-to-date expertise of research teams. The international dimension will hopefully expand to other regions beyond the CultiVar project duration, thanks to its links with diverse initiatives (Europe, Brazil, North Africa, etc .)

Students supported by the project are chosen from various geographical and cultural horizons, with the aim of developing diverse high-level operational and managerial responsibilities. They prepare the foundation for international cooperation in agricultural research for worldwide development.

International projects and initiatives associating CultiVar

In addition to the large network of research units in Montpellier, several international partnership platforms and research laboratories established in Senegal and in Vietnam together represent potential hosting places for student internships.

The International Joint Laboratory IJL RICE2 : "Rice, Interactions & Coffee in Environment - Phase2"

Rice is of vital importance for Vietnam and Asian countries, as it contributes significantly to food security. Urbanization, climate change and emergence of new pathogens represent as many challenges for rice-growing areas in Vietnam, urging the need for the creation of new varieties combining higher yield and a better resistance to pest and diseases for sustainable cultivation conditions. The International Joint Laboratory IJL RICE2 (Rice, Interactions & Coffee in Environment) works on functional genomics & biotechnology for plants and associated microorganisms; it is based in Hanoï (Vietnam) and mobilizes partnerships in different South-East Asian countries.

The partnership platform IAVAO : Dispositif en Partenariat "Innovation and Plant Breeding in West Africa"

Logo Iavao web

Plant breeding has to meet with multiple and complex challenges. Being part of diverse social and cultural organizations, plant breeding should contribute to feed a rapidly increasing African population. The central theme of DP IAVAO focuses on an interdisciplinary approach for the conception and effective implementation of breeding programs. DP IAVAO associates research and education partners from Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and France.

The CERAAS Regional Center on Plant Improvement and Drought Adaptation

ceraas

Created in 1982 and based in Thiès (Senegal), the CERAAS is a national (Senegalese) laboratory with a regional focus specialized in the improvement of the plant adaptation to drought hosting researchers and research teams from West and Central Africa (CORAF/WECARD zone). Partly funded by the World Bank, CERAAS is a Center of Excellence specialized in dry cereals.

The International Joint Laboratory IJL LAPSE : "Adaptation of Plant and associated microorganisms to Environmental Stresses"

The IJL laboratory LAPSE associates a unique combination of researchers in plant sciences and microbiology working at different scales (from genes to ecosystems ) to develop integrative researches on the use of plant and microbial diversity to increase crop yields and rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. Based in Dakar, it brings together researchers from Senegalese universities and IRD.