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Second Seminar Cape Program for Rural Innovation CAPRI. Project progress as per November 2007. Curriculum Development.
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Second Seminar Cape Program for Rural Innovation CAPRI Project progress as per November 2007
Curriculum Development • In 2006 the structure of the three years BAgric study program was developed, including the accreditation, the identification of the role of ICT and e-learning, and a review of CIAT’s extension diploma course. • By November 2007 Year 1 of the revised extension modules has been delivered and evaluated, the finalization of Year II modules carried out and the outline for Year III formulated. • In addition the web-supported learning structure is under implementation. • This component suffered on staff changes and will have to intensify in the last project year
Big Five in-service training • For all three Cape Provinces the in-service training took place according to planning in five venues completing a full Cycle. • As planned an evaluation of the first Cycle took place and a next Cycle II started in Fall 2007. • For the Eastern Cape a 3rd Cycle is scheduled in 2008. • Staffing problems and opportunities for stronger linkages with PDA’s for stronger implementation of Big Five elements.
Research • The research agenda has been formulated early 2006 and eight MSc. students have been selected and started their studies in Wageningen. • As for the PhD candidates: from the scheduled five candidates only one has started through a collaboration between CIAT, WUR and the University of Western Cape. This is a research collaboration which includes co-supervision and joined research agenda’s. • More scope for research in 2008 and beyond?! • Continue with new MSc students and build upon first batch of MSc students for PhD?
Interactive extension policy development • Strengthening the extension policy mechanism in the three Cape Provinces is a generic objective of CAPRI. • According to planning, the CAPRI first seminar in March 2006 provided the agenda for priorities and trends in extension policy. • Current priorities in South African extension policy point to the importance of policy implementation, including identification of monitoring mechanisms to assist implementation. • As scheduled the second CAPRI seminar takes place in November 2007. • More opportunities to assist PDA’s extension policy processes, e.g. through senior extension managers?!
Improved and effective CIAT support structures in project management and administration • The needs assessment pointed to the importance of strengthening project management competences like proposal writing, logframe design, working in a consortium and linkage to international funding agencies. • In 2006 and 2007 CIAT has selected new staff responsible for curriculum and training innovation, extension and project management. But frequent staff changes were not beneficial • One of the priorities in the last project year: in-service tailor made training in the Cape Provinces