CBLP celebrates graduation of the inaugural cohort fellows
The Collaborative Breeding Leadership Program (CBLP) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of fellows on 7 October in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, at the 4th African Plant Breeders Association conference. CBLP is a CGIAR-led initiative, funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), designed to equip national research institutes mid-career breeders with advanced leadership, management and strategic communication skills to complement
CBLP celebrates graduation of the inaugural cohort fellows
The Collaborative Breeding Leadership Program (CBLP) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of fellows on 7 October in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, at the 4th African Plant Breeders Association conference. CBLP is a CGIAR-led initiative, funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), designed to equip national research institutes mid-career breeders with advanced leadership, management and strategic communication skills to complement their technical expertise in solving the global food systems challenges.
The CBLP is led by IITA-CGIAR in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), AfricaRice, and national research institutes across Africa.
The graduation ceremony was graced by Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Hon. Vangelis Haritatos. During his speech, the Deputy Minister noted the importance of such leadership initiatives for the African continent. “Technical skills alone are not enough, and that there is a need to mentor and build a new generation of plant breeding science leaders who can drive collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence across plant breeding networks in Africa is a welcome development,” said Haritatos.
Moreover, the Deputy Minister highlighted the alignment of the program with the national strategic goal. “The government is very keen and interested in having young people in this space. Food security means a lot to us; hence, having these young scientists graduate in their roles is critical for us to move our agenda,” he said.