This November, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will host the 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium in Manila, Philippines.
The symposium is one of the world’s largest and most important rice research events providing an excellent learning and networking platform for rice researchers, experts, and representatives from the public and private sectors to come together to share their expertise on issues related to rice genetics.
“Rice genetics is all about understanding the genes of rice so that we can develop new and improved rice varieties to help farmers produce more rice, with fewer resources and despite challenges like climate change,” said event convener, Dr. Eero Nissila, head of the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division at IRRI.
“The 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium is a unique place for scientists and scholars to present the results of their genetic research for the first time, so that attendees can learn the absolute latest research before it is made public elsewhere,” he added. “This helps us to speed up our shared understanding of rice genetics and advance our research to benefit the world.”
Leading experts and researchers in rice breeding and genetics, genomics, genetic resources and evolution, pathology, and grain quality will be facilitating sessions and delivering talks, to solve the myriad of problems that the rice production sector is currently facing.
“I am looking forward to meeting many new young rice researchers and scholars at the symposium, as it will be an excellent opportunity for them to engage with their peers and research leaders from around the world – this opportunity only comes once every four years,” said Nissila.
A series of interactive business and educational activities has also been planned for participants including, themed plenary and concurrent sessions, poster presentations, and a “Meet the Experts” session. Participants can also look forward to expanding their network at various events such as the symposium dinner and the IRRI field tour.
