OUTSTANDING Guyanese national Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim on Monday took up his position as new Director General of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education (CATIE).

The inauguration ceremony, held at the headquarters of CATIE, in Turrialba, was attended by Luis Guillermo Solis, President of the Republic of Costa Rica; several government representatives; the diplomatic corps and staff; students and partner and donor institutions of CATIE.

Ibrahim said that assuming the Directorate-General of CATIE is a commitment that has special relevance for him personally and professionally.

“I have the challenge of leading this prestigious centre in a time when the countries of tropical America are challenged to develop their agriculture in a sustainable, climate-smart, competitive and inclusive manner, besides doing it in harmony with the conservation of natural resources and ecosystem services. CATIE objectives are aligned with these challenges and the institution is a leader and pioneer in promoting agriculture and conservation of natural resources in the Region,” said Ibrahim.

The new director graduated in agricultural sience at the University of Guyana, in Guyana in 1985, obtained a Master’s Degree in agricultural science and renewable natural resources, with emphasis on ruminant nutrition at CATIE in 1989 and a doctorate in agricultural science and the environment at the Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherlands, in 1994.

He has made notable contributions in the field of the environment and livestock and is recognised as a leader in innovation and development of sustainable farming systems and intelligent climate in Latin America.

While he worked at CATIE, from 1995 to 2012, he founded the Programme Livestock and Environmental Management, which has played an important role in the transition from traditional systems to environmentally friendly systems.

President Solis congratulated Ibrahim as new Director-General of CATIE, noting that he has not only assumed the enormous challenge with great clarity, reliability and commitment, but will build it in the hands of colleagues, the hand of a community that wants it and with the support of productive sectors, which for many years constituted a permanent reference for their work.

“I wish him well and let me promise the continued support of the Government of the Republic to this institution that has brought much benefit to Latin America and the Caribbean,” Solis said.

Ibrahim will be CATIE Director General for a period of four years (2016-2020), after Costa Rican Jose Joaquin Campos had occupied this position for two consecutive terms.

José Joaquín Campos, the outgoing director, said that after eight years of work, CATIE has established itself as an international university, besides being a regional scientific platform and an institution of great value to member countries.

“I’m sure CATIE will continue to provide options for sustainable development of rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Campos.