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Information technology
continues to be vital to the success of ICARDA activities. In 2001, the Computer
and Biometric Services Unit (CBSU) initiated a major project to replace the
old computer local-area network (LAN), installed in 1992. The Center now has
a high-speed LAN, giving users a 100 Mbit/sec network speed. Security and
virus protection measures have been enhanced through installing a firewall
and a new anti-virus distribution system. ICARDA is leading the project to
implement Windows 2000 Active Directory in all CGIAR centers. The Center successfully
tested Windows 2000 Professional and is prepared for rollout in January 2002
with new equipment.
ICARDA’s Intranet
site is widely used by its staff, visitors and trainees, and the Center has
revamped the design and upgraded the software running the site. A ‘Travel
Access Service’ was established to support scientists when they travel.
ICARDA’s Cairo office now has its own LAN and Internet access for all
networked computers, and the Center also designed and helped to install a
LAN for the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization. CBSU designed and
developed databases to manage travel schedules, training, water resources
projects, and a computer model to simulate groundwater use in Syria. Based
on the recommendations of the external auditor, the Unit implemented budgetary
control in the Oracle financial system, customizing sixteen new reports.
The Unit provided biometric
consultancies to various researchers on the design of experiments, statistical
analysis of data, and the interpretation and presentation of results. Randomized
plans for experimental design were provided for several projects, including
evaluation of tillage systems for cereal-legume rotations, the effect of phosphagypsum
on continuous barley cropping in the Khanasser Valley, evaluation of wheat
collections, and the effects of insect-killing fungi on sunn pest. The Unit
support in statistical analysis of QTL data for various traits in barley,
root characteristics for drought tolerance in lentils, clustering of sources
of wheat diseases, and variability in the wheat seed used by Syrian farmers.
The Unit developed procedures and Genstat programs for spatial variability
models, selecting the best model for various trials concerned with evaluation
of different barley, lentil, and chickpea genotypes. Support was also extended
to a number of visiting scientists from Ethiopia, Syria, and Tunisia in analyzing
their data.
Finally, CBSU organized training courses for 41 staff from various NARS, who learned about statistical design, data management, and data analysis. In addition, the Unit trained around 60 ICARDA staff on various IT services and software.
