AID cooperative agreement with Tuskegee University for the Tuskegee - Sokoine University linkages project

Tuskegee University will help SUA to develop an applied research program for faculty and students and to revise the curriculum to reflect practical, farmer-oriented experiences. In addition, Tuskegee and SUA will establish a long-term institutional linkage. The applied research program and curriculum developed under the project will integrate the traditional academic approach of SUA"s Faculty of Agriculture with the outreach orientation of its Institute of Continuing Education. With Tuskegee"s help, SUA will develop a program of applied research and seminars that focuses on village-level problem-solving rather than discipline-specific research and that maximizes student participation. Tuskegee will also help SUA to revise its curriculum to focus on farmers" needs; the new curriculum will include small farm assessments and will require students to work closely with extension workers and to carry out applied research. In addition, courses on women in agriculture will be added. Six SUA faculty members will receive U.S. training in the areas of educational media/communications, women in development, agronomy, farming systems research, rural farm technology, and home economics. The project will also support faculty exchanges between Tuskegee and SUA. Finally, Tuskegee and SUA will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a long-term institutional linkage. Under the MOU, the two institutions will conduct joint research programs, produce publications, host seminars, and engage in faculty exchanges, student exchanges, and sponsor faculty participation in national and international meetings. This linkage will extend beyond the life of the project.