A.I.D.”s assistance to Morocco”s Hassan II Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (IAV) has been uniquely successful among projects to train agricultural researchers and educators in Francophone Africa. This impact evaluation reviews A.I.D”s support to the IAV over the past 18 years, and assesses the kind of support required to ensure continued success. Starting with a single Moroccan faculty member in 1969, the IAV now has a 350-member faculty, more than 85% of which is Moroccan, and IAV graduates now occupy a wide range of management positions in government agencies and state-run and private agricultural enterprises. The IAV has played a central role in the modernization of the Moroccan agricultural sector, and has become a major regional resource as well, drawing many students from other African countries. IAV”s success can be traced to many factors, including the commitment and excellence of the IAV”s charismatic leadership, a complementary long-term commitment on the part of A.I.D. and the primary Title XII contractor (the University of Minnesota), a curriculum model that integrates classroom experience with rural realities, and the existence of a broad base of secondary school graduates in science. However, IAV remains fragile; it must now face the problems of a change in leadership, mounting operating costs, and concerns on the part of private sector employers as to the relevance of IAV training. IAV”s experience illustrates the crucial importance of high-level political commitment; strong, effective institutional leadership; and the flexibility to adapt a wide range of faculty experience and attitudes that “fit” institutional needs. Building a successful university faculty is possible, but takes time: in this case, 18 years of hard work by A.I.D. and the University of Minnesota. Withdrawing support too early may jeopardize the gains achieved. (Author abstract, modified)
