www.tropicalmountainforest.org

IOHE First meeting onPart-Time and Research Incubators

Example of collaborative doctorate successand research establishment at UTPL

Ingrid KottkeSystematic Botany and Mycology

www.mycorrhiza-research.de

The storyThe backgroundFuture requirements Estación Scientífica San Francisco

The story

Systematic Botany and MycologyUniversity Tübingen

• Study symbiotic fungi in thetropical mountain rain forest(ECSF/DFG) using moleculartechniques

• Training of UTPL assistantprofessor in molecular lab

• One semester studies ofMycology and Mycorrhizas

• Examined and accepted asdoctoral student by Faculty ofBiology

• supported by DFG grant• within 4 years (2003 -2007)

– 5 x stays of 4 to 6 weeksfor lab work and writing

Biologia Molecular y Cellular UTPL

• Start of molecular lab

• Memorandum of Understanding• Help with research permission

and lab facilities• 2001 to 2007 each year two

stays of 4-7 weeks at ECSF orUTPL for research (DFGFOR402), teaching,conferences

Two institutions searching for counterpart in 2001

Desires

Cooperation

• Establishment ofmolecular lab at UTPL

• Organization ofinternational scientificconferences at UTPL– Andean Orchids

2007– Mycorrhizas in

Tropical Forests2008

Common profit after 4 years

• 3 publications ininternational journals• Rigorosum:

magma cum laude!

Systematic Botany andMycology University Tübingen

Biologia Molecular yCelular UTPL

The background of success• Enthusiasm about science• Flexible enough to work out a research project of common interest• Strong will to succeed, learn fast, solve manifold problems• Work really hard, thoroughly, self-critical and self-responsible• Rely on each other, speak about problems

Additional advantages• Strong, cooperative research group behind the supervisor in Tübingen

• Integration in a large German research group working in Ecuador on along-term project: DFG FOR402/816

Leadership: Franz Oberwinkler

Founding research group at UTPL Establishing furtherinternational cooperations

New research projectIntegrated in DFG FOR 816

Regeneration by orchids

Next steps

Future requirements to pertain research and researchers

Support by affiliation to local university or research center

Acceptance bylocal society

and support bygovernment

Continuation of research bycandidate

establishing a researchgroup

International connections and competition

Scientificresearch

network ofsupport

Future requirements for selection of good candidatesHurdles to be overcome before starting1. Acceptance of studies and certificates as equal:

Master Studies2. Proof of good knowledge of English (TOFEL)3. Test on knowledge of political, social and

live situation in foreign country

Search and final decision for candidate-supervisor relationship1. Research topic of common interest and importance in both countries2. Granted research facilities in both countries3. Granted sandwich financing for 3-5 years, affiliation of candidate

in home country4. 3 to 6 months test phase in country of supervisor5. Two semesters and additional short term stays (4-6 weeks)

of candidate in university of supervisor6. Reduction of teaching duties of candidate from 10 to 2 hs per week7. Regular visits of supervisor