Based on the email (pasted below) sent to about 70 Ethiopian scientists regarding the need to form discussion forum on biotechnology, a number of feedbacks were received.
We have been discussing at various forums with most of you how biotechnological research in Ethiopia benefits from scientific discussions among fellow Ethiopians. The latest informal discussion we have made was during the African Biotechnology conference held two weeks ago (13-15 May) in Addis Ababa. At this conference organized by Addis Ababa University, I was pleased to see many participants (biotechnologists) who came from research institutes and universities located at various parts of Ethiopia.
As already witnessed in different parts of the world, new biotechnological tools played key role in the improvement of crops and livestock. These biotechnological tools are not only limited to transgenics, but also to others including marker-assisted breeding and high-throughput techniques (eg. TILLING).
Although recently many research institutes and universities in Ethiopia are becoming interested in biotechnological research, enough awareness was not made to the research community regarding the benefits of the technique and safety issues. In order to facilitate discussions among researchers in Ethiopia and abroad, we need to establish a web-based discussion forum: FEBIO (Forum for Ethiopian Biotechnologists). The forum will have the following functions (objectives):
· To facilitate a platform for experience sharing where by queries related to particular technique or method is presented and replies are given accordingly.
· To organize a one week online discussion forum every six-months on a particular topic of biotechnology.
· To organize a one-day discussion forum in Ethiopia on a pertinent topic of biotechnology.
I have the feeling that through this type of forum or network we can increase the awareness of biotechnology first to the researchers and then to the public. This email has been sent to over 70 Ethiopian scientists who are in my list. Please send me your views regarding the proposal of establishing FEBIO.
Zerihun Tadele
Leader, Tef Improvement Project
University of Bern, Switzerland
31 May 2011
The following feedbacks were received within 24 hours after the call:
Thank you very much. What you have suggested is great idea. Let's proceed on that line.
Kebebew Assefa
National Tef Research Coordinator
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit
Good idea! I'm behind it.
Woldeyesus Sinebo
Crops Research Director
Southern Institute of Agricultural Research, Hawasa
I would like to express my appreciation for your novel idea.
Alganesh Tessema
Institute of Biodiversity Conservation, Addis Ababa
Excellent idea. I am for it, but we need to structure it properly.
Azage Tegegne
International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa
Thank you so much for the valuable idea. I really support the idea.
Solomon Chanyalew
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit
First of all, I thank you for including me in the list. The idea is wonderful, I will learn more from such networking and also I can support our country! The idea is really great. I assure you my readiness for such great idea! God bless your effort. By the way, I submitted my thesis I am waiting the defense. Please extend my greetings to your beloved family!
Dereje Beyene
Addis Ababa University
Thanks for your e-mail and commitment. Really your proposal, establishing FEBIO, is very essential and thanks to you by taking the initiative. If it is possible, it would be nice to coin the abbreviation to give simple memorable meaningful term.
Getachew Alemayehu
Bahir Dar University
An interesting initiative. Mekelle University is glad to be partner in this.
Mitiku Haile
President, Mekelle University
This is a good initiative and I fully support the idea of having a forum to exchange pertinent information, views, discussion; etc. on how to promote and make use of biotechnological applications in Ethiopia and in Africa at large. This is particularly useful for the universities and national research institutes engaged in research, development and training in biotechnology. The forum may not be limited to Ethiopian scientists engaged in biotechnology as useful ideas and expertise may also can come in to support the forum’s agenda. This is a good start and needs to be pushed further. Thank you very much for taking the initiative.
Seyoum Leta
Manager, Biosciences Innovation Network for Eastern Africa (Bio-Innovate) Program
Nairobi, Kenya
Thank you very much for sending the email. It is a great idea to establish FEBIO. It not only helps exchange of information among Ethiopian Biotechnology scientists and students on biotechnological developments, can also have its own contribution to the improvement of Ethiopia’s capability in application and utilization of biotechnological tools by engaging compatriot experts like you all over the world.
Girum Azmach
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Nigeria
Thank you very much for your initiative. I hope that the forum, in addition to creating the necessary awareness in the national biotech issues, will be a means for "isolated" national scientists somewhere there to exchange ideas, questions and hints on the real time practical day to day problems they face in their research, development and teaching activities.
Let us move forward!
Adane Abraham
Humboldt Fellow, Germany
I appreciated this idea when you first mentioned it to a few of us during the recent biotechnology conference in Addis Ababa. Now I must thank you very much for taking it further to make it practical and from now on all of us must contribute one way or the other to keep the momentum.
I would like to share some more information in relation to the recent biotechnology conference held in Addis. After the conference it was agreed by the organizers, Addis Ababa University, and many of our colleagues who came from different parts of Africa and outside of Africa that the Biotech conference to take place annually in Addis Ababa with further improvement in its organization. This I believe will create a good opportunity for all of us to meet annually in Addis and we can perhaps plan a one day separate event for Ethiopians alone (before or after the actual conference). This, in addition to the cyber contact we shall establish, could perhaps create a golden opportunity for all Ethiopians working in the area of biotechnology (inside and outside Ethiopia) to meet face to face, share ideas, debate on issues, discuss and plan on how our country benefit from this technology, etc. The preparation for next year’s conference shall start soon and all of you will be contacted. We are sure all of you will contribute in one way another for the realization of this annual event.
Amare Gessesse
Biotechnology Program Unit
Addis Ababa University
This is a great opportunity to know what is going on in the world and help to improve our self. Please keep it up. You can also tell us our responsibility to make this golden opportunity more effective. The very important thing we need to work on day and night is convincing of Decision makers especially politicians in Ethiopia as well as other African countries. The media should take an important role in dissemination of biotechnology related issue. We have to think in that line also. Let GOD Help us.
Addissu Gebre
Mekelle University
Thanks and let's do it.
Dejene Girma
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
Biotechnology Lab, Holetta
It is a blessed Idea. We can have our own web page for free from goolge for the time being. I will check that and come to you soon.
Gizaw Metaferia
Rothamsted International, UK
It so nice of you to take the initiative for raising the issue. It is a very nice idea. My colleagues me at Jimma Agricultural Research Center are with you.
Wondyifraw Tefera
Director, Jimma Agricultural Research Center
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
Thanks so much for taking the initiative as we have discussed informally during the meeting. This is great start and we are very happy to work hand in hand to strengthen the biotechnology research in Ethiopia. I could realize that Ethiopian Biotechnologists from all angles of the world have been responding fast to this initiative. This indicates that they are very happy about the idea and hopefully willing to contribute to this initiative. I hope all of us will work on it to make it fruitful.
I think it would be good if; 1) Ethiopian biotechnologists both in the country and abroad can be involved on the forum. For this purpose, it is important to inform the uninformed about the forum; 2) As has been raised by you and discussed during the meeting, Amare also mentioned this, there will be one annual African Biotechnology conference in Ethiopia. During this meeting, Ethiopian biotechnologists can arrange a meeting of one day; 3) I think we need data base of Ethiopian biotechnologists that includes their names, institutions, addresses and the research areas they are currently conducting; 4) We have to give priorities to develop biotechnology in Ethiopia based on solving the problems of the country. Of course, advanced international standard research is also needed, and 5) We have to use this forum to create international and national biotechnology network for training and research. This is extremely important to create collaborative research.
Tileye Feyissa
Addis Ababa University
I’m with you. In addition to exchanging ideas on specific topics and focusing on non-transgenic approaches, I personally would like to see this forum evolve as a mechanism to influence development of a sound biotechnology regulatory policy and mechanism. In my experience, one of the key impediments to biotechnology knowledge in many African countries is regulatory issues – many free funds, game-changing technologies and knowledge did not make their way through due to this hurdle. As things progress, you may want to invite and sensitize key people from other disciplines and functions in Ethiopia through this forum.
Mulu Ayele
Research Scientist
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, USA
I am very glad to hear such a very good idea. Please keep it forward and I am ready for the betterment of the discussion forum. Keep in touch
Zewdu Teshome
Punjab Agricultural University
Biotechnology Department, Ludhiana-India
Thanks for taking the initiative! I think most of the ideas have been raised by most of our countrymen, and I am impressed by the quick response from most and their enthusiasm! We need to keep the momentum. With this respect, we may start the online discussion soon, and may pick one topic. Members may suggest a topic, and you may invite for that. I have my own idea, and will raise that when the invitation is sent.
I agree with the idea of Dr. Amare (holding a day of meeting as a side event to the African forum). Here, I want to say that a week before (on May 23) there was a meeting of researchers working on tissue culture in Ethiopia, and during this meeting plant biotechnology society of Ethiopian was established comprising EC members from research centers and universities, hence, this society can mobilize local participants and organize the side event. I believe that the society will in time evolve to include other fields of biotechnology. One of the focuses of the forum may be supporting the national biotech center at Holetta in its effort to stand on its feet! I will send you the database of Ethiopian biotechnologists that is with me. Some are in your e-mail list, but there are also some new, and you may include them in your list. It is good if everyone can send potential members to Zerihun so that we can have a comprehensive list.
Belayneh Admassu
Coordinator, National Agric. Biotech. Research Program
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holetta
Thanks a lot for the initiative you took. It is very important and helpful to have such a forum. By the way I'm no more Vice President of Adama University, as I've told you last time. I'm now free from any administrative position and I will not be back again to that. I wish I get the opportunity to work in biotechnology and if possible my ambition is to establish a small lab here at Adama and get involved in research. Meanwhile I'll look for any collaborative work, particularly advising students (MSc or PhD). Please look for me for that and other who get this mail can also contact me. Top of the day!
Bekele Abebie
Adama Univerity
Thank you indeed! – for the initiative & efforts. Finally, you come up with a platform that most of us were dreaming and wishing to have on that land. Beside to the general goal/objective, I do hope & wish that the immediate objective of the forum will be to be a platform where currently existing practical problems and challenges (particularly at the National Biotech Center and in very few labs), during the designing &/or implementation of different BioScience/Biotech R&D activities, will be raised and channeled and the members of this forum will come up with ideas/ advices/ suggestions/ solutions, and share the skills and experiences to address the problems. I hope you have seen and know the reality on the ground and even I heard that you are contributing your part to solve that – thank you for your efforts!! I also like to suggest that this information should reach other scholars at home and abroad so as to be part of it from the beginning. What can we learn from The Asian Scholars? How are they serving their home-land by being in and/or part of the modern Western’s BioScience labs?? – I do hope this forum will have answers for these!!
Girma Bedada
Uppsala BioCenter, SLU, Sweden
Thank you for taking this important initiative. This really is a big step forward. The platform will help bring together diverse experiences and views to a common goal. I am in full support for its realization! Bless you for putting some energy in this.
Endale Gebre
University of Pretoria, South Africa
I really appreciate your novel idea and taking this initiative to link all Ethiopian Biotechnologists at home and abroad. This is the right way in which different issues related to biotechnology can be discussed and experiences can be shared among expertise to advance this technology in our country.
Berhanu Dagnaw
University of Agricultural Sciences
Bangalore, India
