This training is organised by two institutions: the Invertebrates Section of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium, and the Sokoine Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania. The organization of the training benefits from the financial support of the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD).

The objective is to provide a basic training on the identification and ecology of African Diptera that have a significant role in plant-pollinator networks. The target families are Bombyliidae, Calliphoridae, Nemestrinidae, Rhiniidae, Syrphidae, and pangonine Tabanidae). The training is organized for African scientists and African professionals confronted with the identification and ecology of African Diptera.

The course will take place over 10 working days and be taught in English. It shall consist of ex-cathedra courses on morphology, classification, identification, identification methods, collection methods, and conservation methods of Diptera, with a special focus on the target families listed above. Practical exercises will be used to comment on and test the topics presented in the courses. Participants shall be asked to bring material they collected so it can be identified during practical work sessions. Likewise, should they have large datasets at their disposal, these may also be analysed.

The training can receive 12 participants, among whom researchers and employees who are confronted with pollinating flies on a professional level. They may be employees from agricultural institutes, professors of agricultural faculties, researchers from national institutions, PhD students, post docs, etc.
Participants must have a minimum level of knowledge in basic Diptera ecology (to be detailed in the motivation letter). Also candidates from the private sector which show a clear link to entomology in their professional work are encouraged to submit an application.
The candidates’ maximum age at the moment of the training should not exceed 45 years.
Special attention is given to the participation of women.

Only applications from people with residence in Sub-Saharan Africa and working for an institution, NGO, ministry, research institute or university can be taken into consideration. Candidates must be citizens of one of the following countries: Benin, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. If citizen from another African country, please contact the organizers before submitting your application.

Have a look at this document for more information about the call.

Download the application form here.

Please note that this information has expired.