Learning is much better when you have dedicated and caring trainers, and the BIO staff is a perfect example of both. This training provides the opportunity to experience hands on DNA Barcoding on an understandable level.

Online and hands-on DNA-barcode training to identify rapid invasive alien species by CBD and its partners was not only training but well oriented to serve the purpose to achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 in their countries.

It’s tons of fun and very rewarding. Whatever background participants may come from, no doubt that their time spent here will be worth their while. And the best part is, the hosts were all wonderful people!

The strong relationships made with the BIO will definitely be an asset for me and I am confident that I can implement the technology in my country. I am grateful to CBD secretariat and BIO for giving me the opportunity to participate, and will definitely recommend this course for my fellow officers.

I was impressed with the commitment shown by the staff in designing and conducting our training. I received cutting edge training with precise instructions in Molecular analysis including all aspects of high throughput DNA barcoding.

What I appreciated most about the training program was that it attends to the needs of everyone from the basic principles. One doesn’t need to be an expert at some level to follow the modules; I commend the trainers.

I feel that I am lucky to be a trainee at BIO, and what I admire the most is the friendly atmosphere and support received from everyone. I felt more at home here.

Exchange of knowledge among the colleagues that attended the course was also highly valued and somehow comforting to get to know that we share some of the same obstacles and concerns, though we live far away. It was a very pleasant stay and challenging experience as well.

It was a great opportunity to have hands on training on DNA barcoding at BIO. Every steps of the DNA barcoding was done thoroughly and individually. Specimen collection and imaging, sample preparation, DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, sequence editing was done by the proper guidance and close supervision of the mentors.

I had a great experience being one of participants of the Research training program at the BIO. It was very interesting and intensive course with implementation of all-consuming theoretical tasks during online course and challenging work in the lab

In my professional viewpoint, the training in BIO was very complete course, which addressed all the issues from the collection, data collection, preparation of materials, records and images, which provides the complete information required to use BOLD SYSTEMS.

Quality service was given to us by the BIO staff by providing us a convenient accommodation, a chance to use high-end DNA barcoding facilities, and exemplary instructors both for lab training and bioinformatics. Overall, the training at BIO lived up to and beyond our expectations.

This training program opened the door for future collaborations. It was a big learning experience as well as a great time for meeting new interesting people to work together and visit beautiful places around.

Though there's thorough information on the Web, there's nothing like hands on training. I have had the opportunity to go through every aspect of this new technology, something that is needed if my institution wants to spread this knowledge to others in my country.

The molecular analyses in all their steps have been planned in great detail and accuracy, also we had scheduled interviews with specialists in specific topics to complement concerns that were presented during the training.

Exposure to BIO has built knowledge, certain level of skills and confidence on me that we can initiate DNA barcoding work. Furthermore, meeting with Paul Hebert and other scientists and officials opens the avenue of future collaboration with BIO.