Mrs Nguyen Thi Thu Hien

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Watermelon breeding, using pumpkin root stock

Class of 7th RTC (1988-89). Sponsored by FAO/UNDP

Views: Being involved in watermelon breeding research, she found the training on various methodologies for seed production very useful and helped her perform better in her job. Commenting on the lengthy 5-month training course, she suggested for more time for practicals and laboratory sessions and more focus on organic farming and learning to work with farmers.

Mr Nghien Hoang Anh

Current Position: Breeder

Responsibilities: Breeding yardlong bean and soybean

Class of 15th RTC (1996-1997). Sponsored by ADB

Views: Finding the 5-month long training course acceptable, Mr Nghien Hoang Anh learned much about experimental methods used in vegetable research During the RTC, he learned many new things and suggested the RTC to focus on special topics of interest by the participants. As a result of his participation at the RTC, he continued to do well in his job.

Mr Tran Ngoc Hung

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Breeding peppers

Class of 15th RTC (1996-1997). Sponsored by SDC

Views: He found the RTC provides basic information about breeding to participants and suggested that the course should be as long as possible. However, the course should take note of changes in the learning environment with the arrival of internet and urged more time for practicals instead of discussing theories. Moreover, as methods of breeding rapidly change, it is important for the RTC to focus on the new methods. He believes his participation at the RTC has helped him to progress to be the Deputy Head of the Department of Disease Resistance Breeding.

Mrs Duong Kim Thoa

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Tomato breeding

Class of 16th RTC (1997-1998). Sponsored by ADB

Views: By joining the RTC, her knowledge in her field of expertise was enhanced. She benefited a lot by interacting with other participants and farmers especially during the visits to the field and the seed company. Having improved her research and English speaking skills, she is now more efficient in her job and was given more opportunities to travel abroad.

Mrs Nguyen Thi An

Current Position: Senior Researcher - Agronomy

Responsibilities: Selection and breeding

Class of 18th RTC (1999-2000). Sponsored by SDC

Views: She learned a lot about vegetable breeding and on GAP at the RTC and is quite happy with the 5-month lduration of the training course. She also found that the course was necessary for researchers involved in vegetable breeding. Overall, her training at the RTC helped her perform better in her work.

Mrs Nguyen Lien Huong

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Legume research, especially yardlong bean

Class of 19th RTC (2000-2001). Sponsored by JASF

Views: A fresh graduate at the time she joined the RTC, she found the statistics course to be very useful in her current job. She noted that the 5-month long course was lengthy and further suggested that participants be given the option to join either extension and/or research training modules to enable participants to pursue their fields of interest. Overall, she found the experience to be inspiring.

Ms Nguyen Thi Huong

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Entomology, currently studying parasitoids of aphids on cabbage

Class of 22nd RTC (2003-2004). Sponsored by SDC

Views: Aside from improving her English speaking skills, her research capacity improved and her knowledge about organic farming was broadened by joining the RTC. Finding the 5-month long course adequate, her confidence in doing research and working with the farmers have improved from the hands on extension work and biological control experiments conducted during the RTC.

Ms Trinh Thi Nhat Chung

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Biotechnology, especially on Marker Assisted Selection

Class of 24th RTC (2005-2006). Sponsored by SDC

Views: The experimental methods learned from the RTC greatly supplemented the basic knowledge acquired at undergraduate studies and that it boosted her confidence in doing research at FAVRI. Found the 5 month training course too long. She recognized the importance of extension activities in complementing research.

Mr Nguyen Xuan Diep

Current Position: Researcher

Responsibilities: Watermelon breeding

Class of 25th RTC (2006-2007). Sponsored by SDC

Views: He acquired much knowledge by participating in the RTC. Being one of the first participants to undergo the shortened and revised RTC, he found that the three month training course was sufficient. In addition, he found that learning about FFS, impact assessment and the new technologies developed by AVRDC very useful. He proposed that the RTC should have more focus on practice in the field and more farm visits to exemplary farmers.