Agronomic Institute

Mid-term PES covers the period 4/80-8/83 and summarizes a project review conducted by IAV, contractor, and A.I.D. personnel, and based on interviews with project personnel and participants. This is an excellent project which could serve as a model for others of its kind. Third cycle (student) participant training is ahead of schedule, although problems have occurred regarding the students" inadequate English language capabilities at the onset of studies and their short stay in the United States. Ph.D.-level (faculty) participants have also left ahead of schedule; their research topics have been well chosen and a good balance between pure and applied topics maintained. On the other hand, opportunities to place participants in optimal departments and universities have been missed, and the requirement that candidates complete their doctoral dissertations in Morocco - something which is taking longer than anticipated due to weather conditions, inadequate logistical support, and additional faculty responsibilities - has caused some confusion as to their status at U.S. universities. In other areas, budget restrictions may limit opportunities at IAV for returned participants, and more emphasis is needed on exposing participants to U.S. teaching and administrative methods and on developing IAV"s library and computer facilities. An unplanned effect of the project has been to supply technically competent, English-speaking IAV graduates to help implement other A.I.D. agricultural projects. Although the evaluation team made 60 recommendations, no serious issues were raised and project extension was recommended. Lessons learned are: the host country contract mechanism can work; long-term institution building under Title XII can be successful and creative; evaluations need to be focused on matters central to project implementation; and the collaborative assistance style of evaluation can be successful and constructive and can promote institution-building goals through open and frank dialogue.