IRRI Director General (DG) Ronald P. Cantrell retired after almost six years as head of the Institute on 15 December, stating that he was proud to have had the opportunity to lead IRRI, a research institution with a rich history of helping the poor in the rice-producing and -consuming countries of the world.

In his remarks during a farewell program organized by the IRRI staff, the Chair of IRRI's Board of Trustees (BOT), Keijiro Otsuka, said that Dr. Cantrell joined IRRI at a time when strong leadership was truly needed. "Ron revived IRRI with his strong scientific, intellectual, and managerial leadership," he said. "IRRI would have been very different from what it is now without Ron."

Dr. Otsuka said that, while it is difficult to establish a research institute, it is even more difficult to maintain and strengthen the capacity of such an institution over a long period. "I am very proud to say that IRRI is one of the most outstanding exceptions," he added. "In fact, during the last External Program Management Review, it was made clear that IRRI is very strong and is becoming even stronger. I'm very pleased to say that Dr. Cantrell has made significant contributions to the admirable history of IRRI." Deputy Director General for Partnerships (DDG-P) William G. Padolina described Dr. Cantrell as the man who helped move IRRI into the new millennium. "Taking the reins of IRRI at the threshold of the new millennium was a challenge Dr. Cantrell accepted," he added.

"IRRI had to cross that bridge into the knowledge age where science was undergoing rapid and significant changes, where new tools for unlocking the secrets of nature were becoming more precise, and volumes of data could be processed at speeds unimaginable a decade earlier," Dr. Padolina said. "Dr. Cantrell leaves IRRI well positioned and adequately prepared to face the digital-genomics age squarely. With very careful and wise judgment, the quality of work of IRRI has been successfully restructured under his leadership. The human resources, the scientists and researchers, support staff, and administrative and finance staff, are all of top quality."

Prior to the farewell program, Dr. and Mrs. Cantrell unveiled a dedication plaque for the Ronald P. Cantrell Building, which houses Communication and Publications Services and Information Technology Services at IRRI. The plaque reads: "The Trustees of the International Rice Research Institute have named this building in honor of Ronald P. Cantrell, Director General, 1998-2004, in recognition of his strong leadership and intelligent management at a time when this combination of talents was urgently needed. He secured a place for the Institute on the cutting-edge of information and communication technology and the new science of functional genomics ushered in with the sequencing of the rice genome. He also oversaw the continued development of innovative, sustainable rice production systems for both irrigated and unfavorable environments and articulated the importance of household food security for millions of poor rice farmers and consumers. Dedicated this 13th day of December 2004."


William G. Padolina named acting DG

IRRI BOT Chair Keijiro Otsuka announced on 13 December that DDG-P William Padolina will serve as acting director general until the next IRRI director general assumes his/her responsibilities in 2005. Dr. Padolina will also continue his regular work as DDG-P.

Dr. Otsuka said the Board was very grateful to Dr. Padolina for agreeing to assume this dual role, which will likely last until the second quarter of 2005, or possibly longer. Dr. Otsuka stated that the BOT is committed to appointing a new DG as soon as possible. The DG position was announced worldwide several months ago. The Search Committee plans to meet short-listed candidates on 10-13 January 2005 at the Institute.

The committee will conduct the process that will lead to the nomination and naming of short-listed candidates, their subsequent interviews, and finally selection of the new director general.

Three New Board Members Appointed

IRRI has announced details on three new members of its Board of Trustees (BOT). The 15-member BOT-which meets twice a year-is the Institute's highest-level and most important policy-making body and is made up of world leaders and eminent scientists in a wide range of scientific and other disciplines. "We are both delighted and honored that IRRI continues to attract individuals of such ability, intelligence, and effectiveness," the Institute's director general, Ronald P. Cantrell, said in announcing details on the new Board members.

Two of the three BOT appointments are women, bringing to three the number of women on the IRRI Board.

Emerlinda R. Roman was appointed to the IRRI Board ex officio following her election as the 19th president of the University of the Philippines (UP). UP presidents are appointed automatically to the IRRI BOT following their election. Dr. Roman made history not only as UP's Centennial president but also as its first woman leader. Aside from having been chancellor of the UP Diliman campus in Manila from 1991 to 2004, Dr. Roman's experience in university administration includes former positions as the vice-president for administration, university secretary, vice-chancellor for administration, and member of the Board of Regents.

Joining Dr. Roman as the third prominent and respected female member of the IRRI Board is Elizabeth Jean Woods, the executive director of research and development strategy at the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Canberra. Dr. Woods is a former Rhodes scholar and winner of a number of honors in Australian agriculture. She is also the present Foundation Professor of Agribusiness at the School of Natural and Rural Systems Management at the University of Queensland in Australia. Her role there is to provide leadership in the areas of agribusiness and rural management to enhance the university's service to tropical Australia and Asia.

The third new member of IRRI's Board is Dr. Tony Fischer, ACIAR's South Asia program adviser. Previously, Dr. Fischer was the director of the Wheat Program at IRRI's sister center in Mexico, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), from 1988 to 1995 and principal research scientist at CSIRO's Division of Plant Industry from 1978 to 1988. He is the recipient of several Australian and international awards for his work in agriculture and is recognized as a world expert in such areas as dry-land agriculture. "Dr. Fischer's knowledge of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and his vast experience in agricultural research both in Australia and internationally will be a huge asset for IRRI and we are very pleased that he has agreed to join our Board of Trustees," Dr. Cantrell said.