New training program is a step-up for Pacific capacity

A new program to develop the capacity of ACIAR partner organisations in the Pacific region has launched today in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Institutional John Dillon Fellowship (iJDF) will provide training support for 15 fellows from a group of institutions in the Pacific region. The PNG’s National Fisheries Authority, National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), University of Technology, Science and Technology Secretariat and the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Primary Industries, and regional partner the Pacific Community (SPC) are the first of ACIAR’s partner institutions to benefit from this new iteration of the John Dillon Fellowship (JDF).

Since 2002, the JDF has supported the career development of around 15 individual, outstanding agricultural scientists and economists each year. This new ‘institutional’ version of the JDF includes in-country mentoring and will allow fellows to take part in an intensive professional development program that combines training modules with industry visits and networking opportunities, which strengthens their Australian linkages.  

“With this new approach to the John Dillon Fellowship, the institutional program will focus training and mentoring approaches on specific agencies’ needs to assist our partners to navigate real-world challenges and develop leaders who can advance agricultural research in the Pacific region,” said ACIAR’s General Manager Outreach and Capacity Building Eleanor Dean.

“Each participant is strategically positioned. In providing training support for the Fellows as a group, the iJDF will amplify the benefits to the individuals, which will benefit the work cultures within and between our partner institutions, locally and regionally.”

The iJDF Program works with senior managers to identify institutional capacity needs and with Fellows on case-study thematic projects to address those needs. The Fellowship will ultimately strengthen the Pacific region’s capacity to identify, create, design and implement successful agricultural policies and programs to tackle the numerous challenges facing local agriculture and food systems.

Further information: /Capacity-Building/John-Dillon-Fellowship