The MEKARN (Mekong Basin Animal Research Network) Programme involves cooperation between HUV and 14 research institutes and university departments of animal production/science in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
The programme is supported by Sida and became operational in 2001, and is now in its third and final phase (2008-2012). The activities focus on the sustainable use of natural resources in integrated, small-scale livestock-based systems, and include:
1. PhD training: Based on the “sandwich model”, with the research carried out at the students’ home institution, usually focusing on actual farmer problems. In total 23 students have graduated at SLU so far, and a further 9 are currently registered at HUV.
2. Regional MSc course: 61 students from the four collaborating countries graduated at SLU between 2001-2010. Courses are held at 5 or 6 centres in the collaborating countries, and both the course work and the thesis research focus on sustainable, smallholder livestock-based systems.
3. Regional research fund: Based on the IFS model, with around 40 projects approved annually with grants of up to USD 5,000 per year.
4. Networking: Funding is provided for exchange visits of scientists and students between the four countries. International conferences and regional seminars and workshops etc are arranged on a regular basis. Short courses are held each year often run by staff at HUV in cooperation with local PhD graduates.
5. Infrastructure support: Includes funding for laboratories (chemicals, equipment, glassware etc), research facilities (animals, housing, metabolism cages etc) and communication (computers, Internet access etc)
The total program budget for 2008-2011 is 41 million Swedish Crowns, of which 17 million is allocated to HUV. The program is coordinated by Dr Ngo Van Man of Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Professor Brian Ogle and Dr Ewa Wredle at the department of Animal Nutrition and Management (HUV).
Programme web-page www.mekarn.org