From a review of last 6 years' Training Programmes it could be definitely concluded that the programme was able to achieve considerable success. The broad-based and multi-disciplinary approach of this Training Programme has immensely benefited the participants and contributed significantly to strengthen and widen their knowledge in aquaculture. There has been a regular feedback also from the participants of the last 6 Training Courses as they were asked to evaluate and assess each course and organization of the courses including the assessment of the instructors. In general, the courses have received great appreciation and favourable comments from the participants as reflected in their assessments. The participants did learn a lot about all aspects of aquaculture. In addition, the overseas study-tours, seminars, class discussions, development of communication skills and leadership training have helped the participants to be self-confident in expressing their ideas and developing a sense of leadership in them and also in establishing linkages with different people with different socio-economic and cultural background from the region. However, there had been complaints of the courses being “emotionally, intelectually and physically demanding”, having ultra-heavy loads thereby producing lot of tensions and sleepless nights especially before the exams. One of the batches after complaining of tension remarked, “All our activities and even our lives were centered on this training course”. However, at the end of their mentally exhaustive experience with all the tensions, cramming and sweat, most of them were happy to take home with them an achievement, a Master's Degree in Aquaculture.
The Consultant was aware of the above facts and he tried his best to lessen the tension by giving the participants intermittent free time as far as practicable. That the course curriculum was too tight and workloads heavy, was no doubt understandable because two years' time meant for the degree in M. Aq. had been clamped to one year's course. It is quite possible that because of the mental stress and too much heavy pressure of work for the M. Aq. programme, the participants work hard to pass and not necessarily learn as is expected.
The Consultant reviewed the pros and cons of having a degree or a non-degree course, observed that the degree course has several other disadvantages.
NACA Training Course time schedule does not correspond to the regular time schedule of UPV and for the past 6 years UPV had to allow enrollment for the NACA candidates in March which is not in conformity with the University policies. UPV therefore, would like NACA Training Programme to start coinciding the regular school semesters, either in June or in November. These timings again do not suit NACA since the overseas study-tour which is an essential and indispensable component of the course and scheduled from July to September to coincide with the breeding seasons of the cultivated fishes in the countries visited, cannot be changed. Besides, the trainees need some time to be taught the basic principles of aquaculture and a few other introductory courses-before their departure for the overseas tours, in order to fully appreciate the various aquaculture practices in other lead centres. This excludes the time needed to process their official papers and travel documents necessary prior to departure.
The participants in their assessment considered many courses too elaborate and time consuming. The Consultant also feels that atleast the following three courses a) Fish Nutrition and Artificial Feeding, b) Post-harvest Technology and c) Fish Health and Sanitation are too heavy and elaborate. Senior Aquaculturists who are not interested to specialize in these subjects need not go into so much details. In fact, these courses in UPV are full-time semester courses and are completed at NACA in 3 weeks only. Hence, in every year the performance of the participants' are not very satisfactory in these 3 courses.
Further, many of the courses do not cater to the needs of all the countries in Asia especially, the land-locked ones such as, Nepal, Bhutan, Laos and Afganistan who are not interested in courses involving marine and brackishwater culture practices. On the contrary, in a non-degree training course emphasis could be given to courses beneficial to all the countries in the region and giving them option to specialize in any subject in which the particular country is interested. However, in case some Governments want degrees, the participants could be admitted to the regular degree course of UPV being sponsored by NACA.
The present training course is mostly oriented towards brackishwater and mariculture aspects of aquaculture. It could be observed from the participants' profile of the 6th NACA training batch that over 84% of the participants were from freshwater discipline and majority of them are expected to continue their work in freshwater areas.
Another important consideration against the degree course is the poor knowledge in English of participants from several countries. This is a big handicap for these trainees and for the instructors as well. Since the entire training programme including the courses is in English language the trainees feel miserable at the beginning. Although they try to learn by engaging tutors but because of the tight schedule of the training programme they hardly find sufficient time. This problem should be taken into account in case degree programme is continued.
Lastly, there is another problem that some Governments may have to face is that trainees after obtaining their M. Aq. degree may demand for promotions.
The Consultant after reviewing the Training Programme and from his personal experience as the NACA Training Coordinator implementing the 6th NACA Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists in Asia and the Pacific Region offers the following recommendations:
5.2.1 The Training Programme may continue at RLCP in SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department at Tigbauan, Iloilo preferably as a non-degree one-year training course with thorough reorganization of the existing training courses and programme. However, those Governments who are in favour of a degree may get their nominees admitted to the regular Master of Aquaculture programme of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and NACA (FAO/UNDP) Project may fund the nominees and their stipends.
5.2.2 The non-degree training course curriculum should have three component parts: (a) A period of 6 months or so for lectures and practicals for all the general courses with emphasis on all important aspects of aquaculture (b) A period of 2-1/2 months for overseas study tours and (c) the remaining 3-1/2 months or so for specialization on any field of interest.
5.2.3 The overseas study tour is essential and should continue with itinerary suitably revised. The number of days tour in India should be increased. Instead of visiting Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) at Dhauli for most of the time, tours should be conducted also to a few other important aquaculture centres (fresh, brackish and marine) in India and also to one or two reservoir fisheries and visits to the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE)/College of Fisheries.
5.2.4 The Specialized (elective) courses may include the following: a) Fish Nutrition b) Prawn Hatchery Operations and Management c) Finfish Hatchery Operations and Management d) Freshwater Fish Culture e) Integrated fish/livestock/crop Farming Systems f) Post-harvest Technology g) Fish Health and Sanitation h) Pen and Cage Culture i) Aquaculture Economics and others.
5.2.5 Some of the existing courses should be reduced or modified suiting the time allotted for each course. Some courses on the other hand should be strengthened such as, Aquaculture Planning and Aquaculture Extension with management subjects to be added. And lastly, new courses like Statistics and Computer Programming may be introduced.
5.2.6 In case the present M. Aq. degree training course is retained, then it may be necessary to have adjustments of the programme to conform with the University Academic Calendar activities.
5.2.7 With regard to admission to the Masteral degree programme of UPV, the notice regarding all essential requirements for enrollment should be forwarded to the participants well in advance and to avoid complications in registration all these requirements should be submitted to UPV positively before the commencement of the training course.
5.2.8 The applications for the nominees (degree or non-degree) should be scrutinized by the nominating Governments to ensure that only suitably qualified personnel are selected for the training programme.
5.2.9 All nominees to the training programme (degree or non-degree) should be proficient in English language. Otherwise, they should take up English classes for at least 6 months before they join the training courses. This is essential for improving the quality and standard of the entire training programme.
