CIP’s Capacity Strengthening Department (CSD) sponsors seminars on an ongoing but irregular basis.  Please check our events schedule for details which are periodically updated.  These seminars are a platform for debating new ideas; testing theories and methodologies; discussing project ideas or activities; and reporting on new research in an informal setting allowing feedback from colleagues on pre-publication or published results.   

The seminars are also an opportunity for wider scientific community learning and knowledge sharing on topical, cutting-edge concerns as well core research topics relevant to CIP’s mission.  They may be of wider interest to the CGIAR system and its partners.  Our seminars complement other educational and training activities at CIP aimed at strengthening agricultural research capacities of developing country scientists, contributing to the reduction of poverty and achieving global food security, and supporting new knowledge as an international public good.   

Although most seminars are held at CIP headquarters Lima, the CSD also posts information (check our archives) on similar CIP-sponsored educational events in regional or project offices in Asia, Africa and other parts of Latin America when details are provided.  Subject to additional resources the CSD can also help facilitate real-time, international seminars on special themes among colleagues in different countries, as well other distance learning activities.  

CIP also aims to make these seminar discussions available as open learning materials and resources for others not able to attend in person, or to access and review later. So in preparing for the seminar we ask each presenter to provide:

1. A presentation title and abstract;
2. A copy of their power point presentation;
3. Any more detailed working papers or other supporting background documents they may also wish to share; and
4. A short bio.

We will post all materials on our web site, subject to author permission and any copy-write provisions or restrictions. We also aim to audio record most seminars and make most of them accessible later through web pod-casting. 

The CSD hosts three main types of seminars.    

Visiting Scholars and Officials

The first type is given by visiting national or international scholars, post-graduate fellows, CGIAR colleagues, donors and other agency or government officials who are already on mission or doing research at CIP.  The CSD coordinates most of these activities with the CIP Visitors Office and CIP scientists or Departments who host them. 

CIP Scientists

The second type is by CIP Scientists who are already based in Lima or are from regional or project offices but are at Headquarters on other business.  These seminars are a way for more interdisciplinary dialogue among CIP staff  scientists on a range of possible research topics and project ideas.  They are a way to more systematically report on and debate ongoing research and expected results, or test and share knowledge, to refine scientists’ work prior to publication.   

Students, Interns and Trainees

The third type is given by students doing sponsored research at CIP.  Each student is normally required to give at least two seminars at CIP.  One is held near the beginning of term within their home Division or Department as they are formulating their research project proposal. That first seminar is an opportunity for students to define and operationalize their research objectives among peers and in cooperation with their supervisor.  The student will later give a second seminar near the end of their tenure at CIP to report on the results of their research project or thesis.  The second presentation is a more public and formal opportunity (pod-cast recorded) for students to report on and debate their findings among their peers and all interested CIP staff scientists before their final university thesis defense.  Students are required to give this final seminar as part of a “Learning and Knowledge Sharing Contract” with their supervisors and the Capacity Strengthening Department.  This requirement is reinforced by CIP Policies and Guidelines for Students, Interns and Trainees. Interns or trainees at CIP for only a short term are not required to give seminars as a matter of policy, but may still do with encouragement or permission from their hosting supervisors.

Seminars Archives »