Global Biotech Potato Partnership Deputy Director - Asia and Regulatory Affairs Global Resource Lead, Dr. Karen Hokanson (pictured above third from right) and Disease Resistance Management Global Resource Lead, Dr. Philip Wharton (pictured above, middle) recently visited the offices of SEAMEO/ BIOTROP in Bogor. Hokanson is based at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Wharton at University of Idaho.

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1965 among the governments of Southeast Asian countries to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture. The Regional Centre for Tropical Biology of SEAMEO (BIOTROP) was established based on the decision of the Third SEAMEO Conference in 1968, under the name of Regional Centre for Training, Research and Post Graduate Study in Tropical Biology (BIOTROP).

BIOTROP’s objective is to contribute to the economic development of the Southeast Asian Region by identifying and solving critical biological problems; the solution of which will enhance regional development and help solve these problems through appropriately designed research training programs. In particular, BIOTROP concentrates on research programs, developing the tools and principles of research in its defined program areas, and on training professionals in the Region in their use to stimulate further biological research in member countries; thus producing the maximum multiplier effect from BIOTROP programs.

The Global Biotech Potato Partnership looks forward to collaborating with SEAMEO/BIOTROP through education and outreach activities designed to educate Indonesians on the science of biotechnology.