Agricultural education

PES covers the period 12/83-5/84 and is based on document review and discussions with USAID/C and project staff and with UCD faculty and students. Significant progress has been made in some areas, while others are far behind schedule. One of the most positive aspects has been the development of good working relationships among UCD, the University of Florida (UF) TA team, and USAID/C. However, the UF team has not been visible enough at UCD, due partly to the language barrier and to being overburdened with administrative details, and needs more interaction with UCD students and faculty, who still lack a clear understanding of the project and of the relevance of the U.S. land grant model for university organization. UCD officials, on the other hand, have gained familiarity with the land grant model through UF "think papers" and U.S. tours. Notably less progress has been made in curriculum development than is needed, although a curriculum committeee has been created, along with research, journal, and library committees. Inservice training has not yet begun and due to stringent selection criteria only 3 (of 58 targeted) participants have been sent for U.S. training, but no problems with the latter are anticipated; the number of Ph.D."s trained will be increased from 3 to 7. Planning for demonstration farms in underway, but UF must still complete a UCD administration plan. Progress on design studies for the new UCD facilities has been halted, due primarily to problems with the U.S. engineering firm originally contracted. Two external factors - the creation of a Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and a policy change allowing UCD to recruit outstanding university graduates for faculty positions - will help realize project goals. Overall, project experience highlights the need for pre-coordination and better communication regarding participant training and construction, and the importance of having Ph.D."s head UCD departments. Action decisions directly address 14 recommendations.