CIMMYT's Formal Training Activities: Perceptions of Impact from Former Trainees, NARS Research Leaders, and CIMMYT Scientists

This report provides information on the impact of CIMMYT training, based on a set of background interviews with center staff, reviews of relevant data and documents provided by CIMMYT, and two surveys: one of research leaders in trainees’ countries of origin and one of participants in CIMMYT courses on maize and wheat improvement, quality protein maize, soil-borne pathogens of cereals, and maize stress breeding during 2002-04. Evidence indicates that training provided by CIMMYT not only furnishes new knowledge and skills, but results in new ways of thinking about research and new research partnerships, is often shared within trainees’ home institutions, and changes the way the institutions work. The evidence in this study establishes the existence of impact but does not support conclusions about its extent.