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A CGIAR Program Global Open Food and Agriculture University - The Concept. Valerie Rhoe, IFPRI. Addressing a Big Set of Problems for Agricultural Development. Capacity constraints of knowledge base Low quality of higher education High cost of postgraduate education
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A CGIAR Program Global Open Food and Agriculture University - The Concept Valerie Rhoe, IFPRI
Addressing a Big Set of Problems for Agricultural Development • Capacity constraints of knowledge base • Low quality of higher education • High cost of postgraduate education • High mobility of trained people • Limited scaling up by traditional means
Toward Solutions: Why CGIAR? • Knowledge, experience, location • What is needed: information delivery requirements; careful planning (e.g. content development); strong partnerships • CGIAR: Laying foundation for improved communication and knowledge sharing • CGIAR knowledge banks: Major new resource for building a distance education program
Role of CGIAR for an Open University • The CGIAR would help provide high-quality instructional material in partnership with regional and national institutions • CGIAR’s major role: Content development and delivery support
The Idea: Global Open Food & Agriculture University • Collaborate with national and regional universities • Professional applied postgraduate teaching in agriculture, natural resources, livestock, forestry, and fisheries • Provide quality, flexible, accessible, and affordable education • Enhance agri-food business, research, and analytical capacity
From Idea to Experience: The Open University Will… • Form Partnerships with existing higher education programs to offer postgraduate instruction • Strengthenglobal distance education in food and agriculture • Be high-quality & internationally recognized • Build on, harmonize & integrate existing CG-system training and teaching materials
The Open University Will… (cont’d) • Teach postgraduate students, researchers, professionals • Be an “Open Source” institution andfacilitate “Knowledge Commons” • Make course contents and materials available to universities in developing and developed universities (demand oriented) • Translate existing modules into other languages to reach wider participants for impact
The Beneficiaries • Universities and institutions • Postgraduate students • Mid-career professionals, civil servants, NARS’ researchers • University faculty • Participants from international organizations, private sector, CSOs
Evolution of Global Open University… • February 2003: Concept proposed at CDC meeting • June 2003: Open University (OU) Taskforce (20 CGIAR center members) • July 2003: Program / business plan meeting • CGIAR–AGM Business meeting, Oct 2003 • May 2004, CDC of CGIAR endorsed the concept and future steps; and presentation to EXCO • Dialogue with Partners - August 2004 • CGIAR–AGM Business meeting, Oct 2004
What Have We Done So Far? • Initiate contacts • Some partnerships and coalitions • Needs assessment • E-discussions • Business meeting of the taskforce • Donor discussions • Signed MoU with IGNOU
Pilot Programs • M.Sc. Agricultural Economics • M.Sc. Agronomy/ Agroecology
It’s About Investing in Development and Sustainable Food Security ! • Create global synergies • Use the new emerging technologies • Build capacities in the developing countries • Build on CGIAR’s hidden strength in higher education capacities