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Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

International Symposium II on Higher Education in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan. Juba, Southern Sudan March 11-12, 2009. Catholic University of Sudan. Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech. March 11-12, 2009.

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Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

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  1. International Symposium II on Higher Education in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan Juba, Southern Sudan March 11-12, 2009 Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  2. March 11-12, 2009 Context of Symposium • Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANREM) Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) • Supplemental grant from USAID/Sudan to conduct a “needs assessment” for CUofS. • New circumstances/challenges for post-conflict higher education • New College (Faculty) of Agriculture and Environmental Science being formed (CUofS) • Reestablishment of public universities in the South • Opportunity for collaboration to examine a broad range of questions and the applied research question: • ‘What are the ‘best’ or optimum curricula and strategies to re-start higher education in agriculture and environmental sciences in post-conflict countries?’ Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  3. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium II Goals • Review progress to date • Present preliminary findings of the Higher Education in Agriculture Needs Assessment survey • Seek stakeholder view points and reactions to survey results and implications • Engage stakeholders in exploration of curricula needs • Reach consensus on general curricula needs and higher education strategies • Engage stakeholders in discussions of issues to be addressed to implement curricula improvements • Develop a practical consensus strategy to overcome obstacles to improve curricula adoption and implementation Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  4. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium Summary • Limited Needs Assessment has been concluded • Key Informant – 3 states • Demonstrated magnitude of the education and training problem • Results supplemented by detailed analysis of one state -Bahr el Ghazal • Also input from symposium participants • Survey conclusions… Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  5. CONCLUSIONS from Survey Catholic University of Sudan There is a serious shortage of skilled human resources in agriculture especially in the public services (a 72% shortfall). Many staff in the Ministry of Agriculture are near retirement, so the shortage will worsen. 10 year projection in the three States: 3,000 more staff. Demand 50% higher if GOSS fulfills a promise of more financial and human resources for the “Payam and Boma” levels. How do we extrapolate to other 7 states? Women form only 2% of total classified staff in the three states. Overall in GOSS, educated women are only10% of employees. There is very high desire for further training among the classified staff of State Ministries of Agriculture. Short term, there is need to diversify agricultural skills by agro-ecological zones at certificate and diploma levels. Longer term people with B.Scs will also be required. Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  6. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium Summary 2. Credentials for Diploma and Certificate programs in flux and need clarification • Collaboration between Universities and Ministries of: • Higher Education, Science, and Technology • Public Service and Manpower • Agriculture and Forestry • Natural Resources and Fisheries • Provide standardization and transferability between levels • Priority Skills and knowledge of different academic levels (Matrix) Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  7. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium Summary Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  8. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium Summary • Curriculum – BSc • Post-conflict situation is unique and requires different, but complementary short and long-term strategies • Recognition that a 4-year degree in general agriculture has an important role to play, at least in the short-term • Specialization is provided in the 5th year • Quality should be internationally recognized/validated • Practical experience for students essential in all years • National and international models exist to build from • University enterprises can strengthen curricula while also supplementing university resources • College farm production, processing and sales • Specialized training, etc. • Elements of Ag economics/business important for all students Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  9. March 11-12, 2009 Symposium Summary • General symposium conclusions • Symposium goals achieved • Collaboration of university and ministry participants extremely valuable and much appreciated • Detailed general agriculture and environmental sciences curriculum will be prepared and circulated for further comment • Curriculum will be revised accordingly • Means to support further collaboration will be sought • Higher Education for Development (HED)Competition Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  10. March 11-12, 2009 International Symposium II on Higher Education in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan Questions or Comments? Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  11. Rebuilding Higher Education in Agriculture to Support Food Security, Economic Growth, and Peace Efforts in Post-Conflict Southern Sudan Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative Program Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  12. Planning Grant Goal • Secure funding to facilitate development of a strategic plan/proposal to facilitate a long-term partnership between Virginia Tech and its US partners and Southern Sudan universities in the areas of agriculture, environment and natural resources Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  13. HED Long-term Partnership Goals • Improve the capacity of African universities to address African agricultural, environmental and natural resource management issues through faculty and institutional development. • Internationalize and increase US university capacity to address global development issues. Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  14. Resources • Africa-USA Higher Education Initiative Planning Grants(20 grants - 300 applications) • Funding for travel to Africa and US to develop partnership strategic plan and proposal • Africa-USA Higher Education Initiative Development Grants (tentative) • Funding for 10 to 15 year partnership • $1 to $3 million per year • Cannot be used for building construction Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  15. Potential Development Grant Activities Examples: • Administrative capacity building • Graduate education for faculty • Faculty, staff, and student exchanges • Staff development activities • Collaborative research and research capacity building • Collaborative extension activities and extension capacity building Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  16. Potential Development Grant Activities Examples: • Distance learning activities between partners • Resources and equipment for distance learning • Faculty development activities to improve student learning • Modernization of laboratories and research farms • Small grants program for collaborative research and extension activities Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  17. Strategic Plan Components • Identify key Southern Sudan agricultural and natural resource management development needs and goals that Sudanese universities can contribute to achieving. We are jointly accomplishing this currently. • Identify Southern Sudan agricultural, environmental, and natural resources university development goals. • Develop objectives and strategies required to accomplish each development goal. Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  18. Strategic Plan Components • Develop strategies that consider current capacity and identify additional capacity building, resources, potential collaborators/supports, tasks, responsible parties, and timelines required to achieve each goal. • Propose management/governance structures and roles and responsibilities of key partners in the proposed long-term capacity building program. Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  19. Timeline • Planning grant awards: March 2009 • Planning grant period: June-Nov. 2009 • Strategic plan development with or without planning grant. • Strategic plans/final reports due: Dec. 2009 • Call for proposals for Africa-USA Higher Education Initiative Development Grants: ? Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  20. Our Comparative Advantages • Current project defining development issues. • We have developing partnerships. • Southern Sudan seems to be supportive of the US Land Grant Model (integrated teaching-research-extension approach), which the US would like to export. • Southern Sudan has the opportunity to pick its own development models/pathways because it is just developing institutions and approaches. • USAID appears to be supportive. • Southern Sudan is an important US partner. Catholic University of Sudan Virginia State University University of Juba Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

  21. March 11-12, 2009 International Symposium II on Higher Education in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan Questions or Comments? Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech

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