Developing countries lack the indigenous scientists necessary to achieve a critical mass of manpower for the effective implementation of research and development policies. The need to train research scientists in the insect sciences is discussed and it is concluded that to provide training on relevant topics, given in the appropriate teaching and learning environment, more training must be available in developing countries. The resources for teaching and research in these countries are inadequate, but although they are scattered they are not absent. It is proposed that regional collaborative training programmes will combine the facilities of universities, for their academic tradition and for teaching, with those of research centres, for research and supervision. The structure and experiences of the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) are presented as a model for a regional graduate training programme in developing countries. ARPPIS is a collaborative venture between 12 African universities and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, leading to the award of the Ph.D. degree.

The formation of the International Advisory Council for Biosystematic Services in Entomology (IACBSE) in Hamburg at the XVIIth International Congress of Entomology in 1984 is described and its composition and long-term objectives are stated. These include fostering the development of biosystematic research and identification services on a world basis by co-ordinating and assisting interactions and exchange of information between organizations and individuals, and by establishing a series of Working Groups on major projects. The main user needs for biosystematic services are also summarized. The particularly important needs of medical, agricultural and forestry entomology are emphasized and other needs for the support of faunal surveys, conservation, ecology, physiology, biogeography, litigation, amateur and general public interest are noted.