External evaluation team report to Project Hope/USAID

Special evaluation covers the period 2/83-1/85; no methodology is given. Project HOPE has contributed significantly to successful establishment of the HIN, which is now fully operational. Three classes containing a total of 145 students have been admitted, and curricula and teaching materials are being developed, implemented, and revised for the first 3 years of the 5-year program. HIN faculty have received 36 weeks of U.S. and inservice training in such areas as pedagogy, curriculum design, and community health services delivery. The project"s Technical Advisory Committee has served as a liaison with related organizations and as a forum for discussing critical HIN development issues. It is recommended that the project be extended for at least 2 years as needed to complete the full 5-year curriculum and to allow time to promote HIN institutionalization and program upgrading; during this period HOPE can address faculty recruitment problems through development of a Master"s degree program, further training, and ongoing TA. Also, the HIN should develop opportunities for faculty to receive doctoral education within AU, develop closer ties with the AU Hospital, provide students greater opportunities for English-language training, and ensure that the faculty"s heavy workload and isolated lifestyle does not inhibit their enthusiasm or professional development; nursing faculty should see that student training is oriented toward community health care. The highly successful short-term U.S. training program should be continued and Project HOPE should continue to employ two long-term consultants to provide academic support; in particular, HOPE should help to develop long- and short-term faculty recruitment strategies. (Near East Bureau abstract, modified)