November 27, 2020
We have previously reported on the progress of our new E-mentoring Program, to ensure that we continue through COVID-19 difficulties to help develop the technical and organisational skills and expertise of agricultural researchers, scientists and policy makers in developing countries.
The program is building on the successful outcomes of our long term existing Mentoring Program, which has seen face-to-face interaction in overseas countries, backed up by electronic contact, and the Fund’s conference scholar mentoring program, matching young NextGen researchers with experienced Australians who attend our conference.
We are now very pleased to introduce you to the first group of 35 pairs of e-mentors and e-mentors.
“We are hoping that this program is fostering new contact opportunities that are otherwise impossible while we are dealing with COVID-19,” said our CEO, Dr Colin Chartres, who is managing the program and is also an e-mentor.
Over the coming year we will be reporting on how each of the pairs is progressing and what achievements they are making with their agreed mentoring plans and goals.
Our mentors’ experience and expertise makes them well placed to support mentees who have requested interest in topics as broad as research leadership and management, agricultural policy development, science communication, scaling up innovation, agri-start-ups & innovations, how to develop and work in inter-disciplinary research, climate smart agriculture, sustainability of agricultural production systems, market and value chain analysis, sustainable intensification of agricultural systems and agricultural extension.
In addition to online training being made available for e-mentors, they were invited to a webinar in late October, for a discussion about the mindset, skills and techniques of mentoring to better equip them to start a successful relationship with their mentee. This included reminders of how to be an effective mentor and key messages on mentoring.
We wish to thank sincerely our e-mentors who are giving freely of their time and expertise. They are:
Ass. Prof Jes Sammut | Dr Ian Nuberg |
Dr Andrew Noble | Dr Jay Cummins |
Dr Colin Chartres | Dr John Angus |
Dr Di Zeng | Dr John Dixon |
Dr Eric Craswell | Dr Kamal Melvani |
Dr Geoff Allan | Dr Mark Peoples |
Dr Geoff Kuehne | Dr Martin Blumenthal |
Dr Matthew Denton | Dr Murray Unkovich |
Dr Paul Fox | Dr Robert Mensah |
Dr Robert Redden | Dr Samuel Ariong |
Dr Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay | Dr T.J. Higgins |
Mr Rob Velthuis | Prof Bill Rathmell |
Prof Daniel Rodriguez | Prof Navid Moheimani |
Prof Richard Bawden | Prof Richard Beyer |
Prof Robyn Alders | Prof Shaun Coffey |
Prof Alan Lymbery |
And we are pleased to announce our corresponding group of e-mentees. The sixteen countries in which the e-mentees are currently based include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, PNG, Samoa and Uzbekistan. Our e-mentees are:
Mr Oyture Anarbekov | Dr Siakka Diarra |
Mrs Thai Minh | Ms Philmah Waken |
Mr Cyril Kolese Atung | Mrs Betty Tiko-Motoro |
Mrs Kuinimeri Finau | Mr Kamrul Hassan Suman |
Mr Andrew Awabi | Dr Ram Datt |
Dr Farah Farhanah Haron | Mrs Suhaina Supian |
Dr Darwin Basquial | Dr Abazar Rajabi |
Mr Muhammad Suhaib | Ms Abigail May Retuta |
Dr Shahram Mahmoud Soltani | Mrs Abhilasha Jha |
Mrs Irene Chand | Mr Yogendra Acharya |
Mr Paula Koroikata | Dr Suprehatin |
Miss Sonia Samreen | Dr Tim Krupnik |
Mr Jimba Rabgyal | Mrs Tashi Gyalmo |
Dr Sharif Ahmed | Mr A S M Alanuzzaman Kurishi |
Dr Khin Thein Nyunt | Dr Muhammad Arshadul Hoque |
Mr Chenzang Dendup | Dr Zahra Amini |
Dr Rumana Akter | Ms Prapti Barooah |
Dr Surendran Rajaratnam | Ms Laura Khor |
Our e-mentors and e-mentees have our very best wishes for successful collaboration and learning over the coming year. Their sharing of knowledge, skills and life experience will no doubt be of benefit to all involved.