The BIO-EARN Newsletter  A Publication from the BIO-EARN Regional Coordination Office No 2, December 2006 Announcements Development of BIO-EARN Accounting System The BIO-EARN Programme plans to streamline financial reporting by the various collaborating partners and set up a user-friendly accounting system for the BIO-EARN  Regional Coordination Office at IUCEA. With support from Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the regional coordination office has identified Friends Consult Ltd (a Ugandan consulting firm) to develop an Accounting/Reporting System and a Manual to be used by all BIO-EARN collaborating partners receiving funds through the Programme. This work has been initiated with contracts of agreements having been signed between IUCEA and Friends Consult Ltd. The consulting firm has begun the initial work and plans to complete the assignment by early next year when the harmonised financial accounting system will be introduced to all the BIO-EARN implementing institutions in Eastern Africa. PAC Chairpersons Appointed The BIO-EARN Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) held its first meeting on 7th October 2006. During this meeting PAC members unanimously elected Professor Jamidu Y. Katima (The Dean Faculty of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam) as the Chairperson and Prof. Jane Morris (Director African Centre for Gene Technologies, South Africa) as the vice chairperson of PAC. (See related news item on Appointment of BIO-EARN PAC Chair and Vice Chair). Next PAC Meeting The second PAC meeting will be held on 2-3 February 2007. The meeting will review project implementation status reports for 2006 and planned activities for 2007. Furthermore, PAC will discuss the implementation of the BIO-EARN Innovation Fund. The BIO-EARN Governing Board (GB) Meeting The second GB meeting will be held in March 2007. The meeting will review and approve project implementation status reports for 2006 and annual work plans and budgets for 2007, making adjustments as necessary. IP/TT/PDP Training Opportunities in the BIO-EARN Programme A key objective of the BIO-EARN Programme is to contribute to creating an enabling policy environment for agricultural, environmental and industrial biotechnology product development, transfer and diffusion. Consequently, training in management of Intellectual Property (IP), Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) and entrepreneurship is central in the Programme. BIO-EARN Programme will conduct training courses on these topics. However, should any Eastern African partner wish to attend relevant regional or international training courses offered in these areas, BIO-EARN Programme may support travel and accommodation expenses. The process on how to apply for this support, selection and eligibility criteria, etc, will soon be circulated. In the meanwhile we encourage all partners to look for suitable training opportunities. For information on the above, please contact the Regional Coordination Office. (Page 5 of 5) Go to BIO-EARN Home Page