Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Ms Robyn Mudie welcomed the Vietnamese cohort of the John Dillon Fellowship in Hanoi on Monday for a week-long intensive workshop aimed at fostering networks between the fellows, advancing their fellowship projects, and receiving training aimed at upskilling their leadership skills including gender and diversity related issues.

As part of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) supported fellowship, 19 researchers and leaders in agriculture from across Vietnam develop cross-institutional research and management projects that focus upon priorities specific to supporting Vietnam as one of Australia’s fastest growing trade partners in the region. 

Speaking on the benefits expected from the workshop, Lead Trainer Dr Rebecca Spence of the University of New England’s International Development Group shares; ‘Having all the participants together is significant, they will be able to progress in all aspect of their projects – plus exchange experiences in leadership, gender and diversity in a much more effective way.’  

The various projects on research ranging from aquaculture management to rural and agricultural economics will be developed into complete proposals for submission at the end of April. As the workshop takes place in early March, JDF trainers have the special opportunity to acknowledge the work of women scientists in agriculture, as the workshop coincides with International Women’s Day on 8 March.  Lead Trainer Dr. Spence shares, “The fact that the workshop is coinciding with IWD, and that our JDF female fellows are leading teams and projects demonstrates how when you invest in women you get results”

The John Dillon Fellowship is an ACIAR supported program delivered by the International Development Group at the University of New England, click HERE for more information.