The Advanced Field-course in Ecology and Conservation – Xishuangbanna 2010 was officially opened on Nov 23 in the lecture hall in the new research facility at XTBG.  The Executive Dean of Life Sciences at the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Ding Wenjun offered his opening remarks and extended his support of the growing program for capacity building in the tropical Asia region.  He wants to include the courses offered through the Program for Field Studies – Tropical Asia to be accredited and count towards the degree program for postgraduate students in the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The students in the AFEC-X 2010 course come from ten countries, including China (6), North Korea (5), Indonesia (2) and one each from Argentina, Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.  We received over sixty applicants but unfortunately, we could only accept 20 students this year.  We are looking forward to getting know the students and working with them in the field over the next four weeks.