In late September 2017, it was my pleasure to team up with Past President Edir da Silva for WPSA's programmes in Guadalajara. The day before the start of the XXV Congreso Latinoamericano de Avicultura, Edir and I hosted 44 students for a WPSA/WPSA-Mexico/ANECA Breakfast at the Hampton Inn. These were local students, many from Tepatitlan, the huge poultry centre in Jalisco. After a quick welcome, the breakfast was served. Then Edir gave a talk on the history and workings of WPSA. This was followed by remarks about ANECA and the Mexico Branch made by Maritza Tamayo, Miguel Angel Casillas (Pres. ANECA), and Julio Arellano Rodriguez (Gen. Admin. of ANECA). I gave the last talk, explaining about Travel Grants (TG), with specific step-by-step advice on how to make a good application and what NOT to do. We ended by raffling off the registrations for ALA/Guadalajara. WPSA-Mexico Branch sponsored three and the world body of WPSA sponsored six.
Edir da Silva (Past-President WPSA) and Francine Bradley (Treasurer WPSA) answering questions from students
The students were extremely interested about our presentations and interacted very well with the various WPSA representatives. None of them were yet WPSA members and they certainly did not know about WPSA Travel Grants. The professors at their local universities are not ones who are attending international WPSA events. I was very impressed with how poultry-centric they all were. Many had parents already in the poultry industry or friends who were in some way connected to poultry.
Francine Bradley gave a talk on 'WPSA your passport to poultry science around the globe'
ANECA arranged for WPSA to have a small booth space in the area facing the largest room for the scientific sessions and on the walkway to the exhibit hall. I distributed material on the organization of WPSA and had the promotional materials for the Journal. WPSA - Mexico Branch officers were often with me. By the end of the first day we already had students (who had attended the breakfast) signing up and paying their dues. I am happy to report that Julio continues to advise Dorien Kleverwal of more students joining the Branch.
Nine winners of student registration to ALA/Guadalajara, along with Francine Bradley, Edir da Silva and Maritza Tamaoy (WPSA Mexico Branch)
Dr Francine Bradley, Treasurer WPSA
