The increase in the number of female students in CIHEAM Masters and Masters of Science programmes in all 4 institutes (Bari, Chania, Montpellier and Zaragoza) is noteworthy.

In addition, the last 4 prizes for the Best CIHEAM Master of Science thesis issued by the Board of Directors were awarded to women:

• Elsa Chedid, for her research work on "DNA-based markers combined with High Resolution Melting analysis for olive oil authentication and adulteration" (CIHEAM Chania)
• Marwa Mourou: “Isolation and molecular characterization of Xylella fastidiosa from different host plant species in Apulia region (Italy)” (CIHEAM Bari).
• Najla Ksouri: "Transcriptional Responses in Prunus persica under Conditions of Drought Stress using RNA Sequencing" (CIHEAM Zaragoza)
• Wided Khechimi: "Proposal for an indicator of cultural ecosystem services: Measuring the impact of recreational visits of Mediterranean wetlands on human well-being" (CIHEAM Montpellier).

Women also play an active role in CIHEAM bodies: the current president of the CIHEAM Advisory Council is Mrs Ghaouti Lamiae (Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Morocco), who replaced Dr Nahla Hwalla (Lebanon) and this year Valérie Baduel, France's delegate to the CIHEAM Board of Directors, was appointed Director General for Education and Research at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.