Glenn Hicks of the Institute for Integrative Genome Biology teaches a workshop at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

PHOTO CREDIT: G. HICKS, UC RIVERSIDE.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. Before he left for Bangladesh to conduct a workshop this summer, Glenn Hicks of the University of California, Riverside did not quite know what to expect. What he knew was that he would be leading a workshop, called Workshop on Genomics and Proteomics, from July 16 through July 24 at the University of Dhaka, the premier public university in Bangladesh. What his brief visit to that countrys capital taught him, though, was that education is critical for all of our futures and that with patience education could help overcome even great cultural and economic differences.

Aimed at providing an overview of genomics and proteomics, the workshop, the first of its kind that UC Riverside has offered in Bangladesh, was funded by the World Bank and hosted by the University of Dhakas Botany Department.

I learned, too, that many of the research projects in the department were biotechnology-oriented towards solving problems that are important for, and in some cases unique to, Bangladesh projects like plant virus and fungal disease resistance, bioremediation, and production of biomass for feeds and fertilizers, he added.

Faculty and students at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, recently attended a workshop presented by UC Riversides Glenn Hicks.

PHOTO CREDIT: G. HICKS, UC RIVERSIDE.

Hicks found that although the University of Dhaka is a large university, its infrastructure is limited in terms of opportunities for the most up-to-date research and postgraduate studies utilizing advanced methods and technologies. For example, the laboratories he toured had basic equipment for molecular biology research, but access to advanced instrumentation was limited. Still, the students and faculty were eager to learn, he found, and sincere in their desire for more high-quality research.

They have a strong hunger for more contemporary knowledge and hands-on scientific training, Hicks said. Many of the faculty are smart and forward looking. They are acutely aware of the need to target new areas for learning. While some of the highest-technology equipment is not available to them as yet, procuring knowledge is what matters as a start. From there, meaningful projects and focused infrastructure can follow. This was noted by the vice chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Professor Siddique, whom I was able to meet. He was very supportive of future interactions with UCR.

The trip to Bangladesh, his first, was an opportunity for Hicks to make a significant contribution beyond the UCR campus. An early difference he made there was getting the workshop participants to ask questions in the ten lectures he presented.

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Lessons From Bangladesh