Mtk. Dearroyo et al., THE LATIN-AMERICAN PLANT SCIENCES NETWORK - A COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL EFFORT IN SCIENCE TRAINING, Agroforestry systems, 28(1), 1994, pp. 45-62
The Latin American Plant Sciences Network (Red Latinoamericana de Bota
nica - RLB) is a consortium of Centers of Excellence in Latin America
designed to increase innovative scientific capacity in the plant scien
ces by providing graduate level training to students throughout the re
gion. Training centers are located in Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, B
razil, Chile, and Argentina, with headquarters at the Universidad de C
hile, Santiago, Chile. During the initial five-year period, the Networ
k has trained 70 graduate students (Doctoral, Master, and short-term t
rainees); has supported 67 research projects, 21 graduate courses, and
48 scientific events; and has provided minor infrastructure to the tr
aining centers for a total cost of US$1,245,645 (including Network adm
inistration and coordination). The Network has had a major impact in b
reaking isolation among the Latin American countries and stimulating c
ollaborative scientific efforts. The Network's experience is of releva
nce to the promotion of agroforestry research and education in the reg
ion.