AUDIT REPORT ON ARGENTINA PROJECT, CASTELAR GRADUATE SCHOOL (MARCH 31-APRIL 30, 1973)

ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY TEXAS A&M UNIV, MICHIGAN ST UNIV, AND PENN ST UNIV TO UPGRADE THE DEGREE PROGRAMS OF CASTELAR GRADUATE SCHOOL AND TO PROMOTE THE ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS FROM BOLIVIA, CHILE, PARAGUAY, & URUGUAY DURING A 5-YR PERIOD. EXAMINATION INCLUDED A REVIEW OF THE CONTRACT, ANALYSIS OF CONTRACTOR REPORTS, AND A REVIEW OF USAID & FIELD OFFICE DOCUMENTS. PROGRESS WAS JUDGED SATISFACTORY,WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS. THE MISSION HAS MONITORED THE PROJECT ADEQUATELY EXCEPT FOR SUBMITTING REQUIRED REPORTS SUCH AS A PAR FOR THE PROJECT THROUGH 3/31/73. THE CONTRACTORS HAVE NOT PROVIDED THE NUMBER OF TECHNICIANS REQUIRED UNDER THE CONTRACT,DUE TO INABILITY TO FIND QUALIFIED PERSONS WITH LANGUAGE CAPABILITY. THE CONTRACTORS" FISCAL REPORTS DO NOT INCLUDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION OF USE TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT. AUDITORS RECOMMEND THAT PROVISION BE MADE IN THE CONTRACT FOR ANALYSIS BY LINE ITEM OF CONTRACTOR EXPENDITURES. DEFICIENCIES IN THE COMMODITIES COMPONENT INVOLVE INAPPROPRIATE AIR SHIPMENT AND INELIGIBLE COSTS. AUDITORS RECOMMEND SUBMISSION OF INVOICE COPIES,NOTIFICATION TO USAID AND PROJECT COORDINATOR OF SHIPMENTS,AND THE MAKING OF PERIODIC PORT INSPECTIONS TO LOCATE & IDENTIFY COMMODITIES. THE CASTELAR GRADUATE SCHOOL HAS NOT OBTAINED LEGAL STATUS YET,DUE TO POLITICAL REASONS. THE SCHOOL HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE PROGRESS TOWARD REGIONAL ENROLLMENT,PARTICULARLY SINCE IT ATTRACTS LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS WHOSE ENGLISH IS INADEQUATE FOR US DEGREE PROGRAMS. PARTICIPANT TRAINING AT THE PHD LEVEL IN THE US HAS FALLEN SHORT OF PLANNED NUMBERS DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN LOCATION ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES,UNREALISTIC GOALS,LACK OF CANDIDATES" ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY,AND DELAYS IN OBTAINING CANDIDATES" EXIT PERMITS.