Final Report: Visit of Dr. Jackon to Southern University

Jackon, Dean of the School of Agriculture at Southern University, in July. During his visit, Dr. Jackon explored the possibility of collaborating with the University of Yaounde to establish a program in Agricultural Economics. He was impressed by the university's potential and believed that it was an institution that held a principal agricultural center in Francophone Africa. Dr. Jackon's visit was highly successful, and he was convinced that the University of Yaounde offered a fertile ground for an American input. He recognized the importance of a successful U.S. contribution to the university's development and was willing to offer a satisfactory solution. The P.I. was reviewed, and Dr. Jackon expressed reservations regarding two points. The first point concerned the span of U.S. services indicated on page 19, which he believed was too short. The second point related to the date when U.S. professors could be withdrawn, which he felt was too early. Dr. Jackon's main concern was the lack of campus facilities, particularly office and classroom space. He felt that it was essential for U.S. faculty members to have easy access to these facilities. It was agreed that the programming of counterpart funds would be explored, and it was suggested that Dr. Jackson discuss the question of furniture and equipment with AID, possibly in Ghana, rather than having the university procure them. The desirability of standardizing on a single vehicle service for projects and activities in the Yaounde area was also discussed. This was seen as a way to resolve service problems for American vehicles. However, it was also suggested that university personnel might prefer to use their own vehicles, which would be preferable to university-provided vehicles. Dr. Jackon's visit was seen as a significant step towards establishing a collaborative program between Southern University and the University of Yaounde. The two universities had a long-standing relationship, and Dr. Jackon believed that this relationship could be strengthened through a collaborative program in Agricultural Economics. The program would involve the exchange of faculty members, students, and research personnel between the two universities, with a focus on agricultural development in Cameroon. The program would also involve the establishment of a department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Yaounde, which would be capable of conducting research and providing education in agricultural economics at the Ph.D. level. This would require the recruitment of faculty members with expertise in agricultural economics, as well as the provision of equipment and facilities for research and teaching.