The Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia and the Pacific Region (NACA) was established under the auspices of UNDP/FAO with the specific function to develop and organize training courses for developing a core group of senior aquaculturists needed for planning and implementing aquaculture research and development programmes in the countries of the region. NACA has four regional lead centres in Asia, namely: China, India, Thailand and the Philippines. The Aquaculture Department of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines has been identified as the lead centre for NACA in the Philippines (RLCP) which also serves as the headquarters for training of senior aquaculturists of the region.
RLCP began its operation in October, 1980 and the first training session for senior aquaculturists began on 6 April 1981 and was completed on 31 March 1982. On the completion of the one year training course the participants who satisfied all examinations and other requirements of the programme were awarded a diploma in Aquaculture jointly by NACA and the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. Besides, under the Memorandum of Agreement between NACA and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas signed on 23 April 1981, the course participants of NACA can enroll as post-graduate students of the University and the registered students who passed the training course and the comprehensive examination organized by UPV were awarded a Master's degree in Aquaculture by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.
From 6 April 1981 to 13 March 1986 NACA has completed five one-year training courses and trained 100 senior aquaculturists in Asia and the Pacific Region. The 6th Training Course commenced on 13 March 1986.
In order to execute the 6th Training Course, Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri, Senior Technical Adviser, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department was recruited by FAO/UNDP under the regional project RAS/76/003 as a Consultant (on a part time basis) initially for 2 months (May and June 1986) and then for 7-1/2 months (September 18, 1986 to April 30, 1987).
The terms of reference of the Consultancy (on a part time basis) were as follows:
To assist the Project Coordinator of NACA in implementing the NACA Training Course in the Philippines and to maintain close contact with him.
To organize and implement this Training Course in close consultation with the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department.
To participate in the theoretical and practical instructional work with faculty selection and curricular review.
To assist the Project Coordinator in maintaining accurate financial records of transactions with regards to the payment of training costs and expenses of the trainees.
To prepare a final report on your duties and a fiscal report on accounts.
To support the principles and directions of NACA.
Although the actual consultancy period started from 1 May 1986, Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri was assigned to take the responsibility of organizing and implementing the 6th Training Courses for the Senior Aquaculturists which commenced on 13 March 1986. His appointment letter from FAO was issued on 26 May 1986 initially for 2 months and then for 7-1/2 months after a gap of 2-1/2 months. FAO also assigned him for a full time consultancy for 2-1/2 months (in between Philippine mission) to the Project LAO/82/014 at Vientiane, Lao PDR from 1 July 1986 to advise, coordinate and plan out applied research programmes in the country and in-depth studies on integrated fish/livestock/crop production systems. Dr. Chaudhuri on completion of the assignment prepared a report on “Applied research investigation and technology development in fish culture for Lao PDR” and submitted to FAO and UNDP. The Consultant returned to Tigbauan, Iloilo on 18 September 1986 to continue with the NACA Consultancy.
Prior to his departure to Vientiane, Lao PDR, the Consultant made all arrangements for the overseas study tour of the participants of the 6th Training Course for about 2–½ months to Luzon, India, China and Thailand. The trainees left on 2 July 1986 and returned on 10 September 1986 and so the project training activities did not suffer because of the consultant's absence from Tigbauan.
The Sixth Training Course was completed on 6 March 1987 when all the 19 participants were awarded the Diploma in Aquaculture jointly by NACA and the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department during the Closing Ceremonies held on 6 March 1987. Of the 19 participants, 18 were qualified to seat for the UPV comprehensive examinations held during 2–4 March 1987 and all of them came out successful and were awarded the degree of Master of Aquaculture by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.
The consultant completed his assignment on 30 April 1987.
