The Development of Agricultural Biotechnology Capacities in Palestine through the UNESCO Biotechnology Educational and Training Center at Bethlehem University

Abstract

Attempting to promote the development of agricultural biotechnology and plant molecular biology in developing countries of the world, Prof. Indra Vasil (University of Florida, USA) the former chairman of the UNESCO Biotechnology Action Council (UNESCO BAC) established, about 10 years ago, five biotechnology educational and training centers (BETCEN) in regions of developing countries in the world including China, Mexico, Hungary, South Africa, and Palestine. The mission of these centers is to promote the development of biotechnology research and build, through educational and training activities a well trained man power capable of conduction of modern research in plant molecular biology and agricultural biotechnology. During the first 3 years of activity, the UNESCO BETCEN in Palestine was granted about $200,000 from the UNESCO BAC to finance educational and training activities and to support small-scale research projects in Palestine and Arab countries. In addition, the center received, in subsequent years, research grants of about $1.2 million from American and German funding