20/12/2006

FORECOMAN MEETING

December, 19th 2006

Members

Present

Bart M., Juan Garcia, Raf A., Jan V., Wouter M., Bert R., Max F., Joost M., Wouter A. (verslag)

Agenda

Msc Dissertation subjects

Tasks for assistants

Computers and peripherals

Projects

Website

Report

1MScDISSERTATION SUBJECTS

Abstracts have to be submitted before January 8th. Abstract proposals should reach Bart for revision as soon as possible, preferably before the coming holiday (25-29 dec).

-Jan: Proposes two subjects: (1) Earthworms’ capacity to go through compacted soil (plough pan) (2) migration of earthworms and influencing factors. Both subjects are believed to be relevant to Jan’s research. But, 2 students might be too much; maybe it is possible to combine?

-Bert: one subject: Cordia africana: a thesis which goes further on the work of Joris. More attention to the hydrology. Bert will not be in Ethiopia during the mission of the student, nor in Belgiumduring the preparation of that mission. But in Ethiopia there are enough people to host and support the student and the research. This should be made clear to the student in advance.

-Wouter M: Needs 1 thesis student in the greenhouse

-Max: Will propose 1 subject on site quality in Turkey.

-Wouter A: One subject: desktop: the LCA of biodiesel production from Oilpalm (at least Greenhous gas, Energy balance). Optional mission to Ghana.

-Raf: One thesis: Laboratory experiment: effect of Latex Euphorbia on the root development and performance of African Wild Olive.

-Bart: One student on alternative stable states in acidification.

Total: 8 subjects

2TASKS FOR ASSISTANTS

For the 1st Ir. GIP the group of Seppe requests a revision of the partitioning of the work, because the persons involved are finalizing their PhD. They propose that their group will do the Student Co-ordination + one excursion and that another group will cover the practical and end co-ordination + the other excursion. Since the group of Martin has done this work for several years already, the request is mainly addressed to our group.

Wouter M. (FLOF) is asked to cover these tasks for our group. If he takes these tasks the other tasks of the group will be redistributed among all the colleagues.

Wouter M. has a counter proposal for the GIP: Wouter proposed to do the whole co-ordination of the GIP but no excursion. Bart will contact Seppe and Karen.

3Computers and peripherals

-Bart bought a new printer (Color laser) (on the ENCOFOR project), but it is too big to fit his office. But this new printer would be a good network printer for our group. If it has some basic features (recto-verso, eco print mode, fast printing…) this new printer will be put in office 03.236. The old laser printer of that office will move to the office of Bart and the old deskjet of Bart will move to office 03.228, connected to the ‘student computer’. This printer is good for printing pictures.

-Laptop Griet = †

-Digital camera: there is a problem, but Joost will take a look at itfirst. Is it possible to buy a new one on the ENCOFOR project?

-Old Computers: Raf made 2 good computers out of the collection of old computers of our group. The rest of the computers (or what is left of them) should be further cleaned, inventoried and than removed or used. One of the old computers that couldn’t escape from Raf is the one of Tim Wagendorp. The hard disk is recovered and will be backed up.

-With the departure of Juan, 2 computers will become available. The desktop will be used by Antonio, the Italian PhD student. Juan will use the laptop for another 2-3 months and will send it back as soon as possible. This laptop can than replace the laptop of Griet.

4PROJECTS

-SBO Project is approved:

  • 4 yr project
  • Modeling of forest growth + environmental and socio-econ value
  • Place for 4 yr full time Post Doc:
  • Candidate: Vincent UGent: He is interested in working 80%. This means that there is money left for 20% of a post doc salary. This money might be used to pay Max a little longer
  • Place for 3 yr. full time Technician:
  • Candidate: Joost: starting with 50% in the first year of the project.

-2 Year Europe funded project for building a tower in Meerdael Woud:

  • We should make a proposal to get an European grant to build such a tower
  • Juan thinks deadline is in Feb-April, but will send us the specifics of the call
  • Such a grant gives opportunity for a foreign Post doc for 2 years.
  • Who can be asked? Proposal has to be written for a certain person
  • We really have to get into this by next meeting.

5Website:

-Soon projects will be submitted, so the website has to be completely correct, because this is what the proposal reviewers will check first.

-Everybody: check the content + check for errors and inform Max about (certainly the articles/publications)

6NEXT MEETING

Will be communicated by Bart.

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FORECOMANVERGADERING

19 december 2006