Southern Sudan Symposium, 2009

Posted on by

Higher Education in the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan

International Symposium II, March 11-12, 2009
Juba, Southern Sudan

Goals

  • Review progress to date
  • Present preliminary findings of the Higher Education in Agriculture Needs Assessment survey
  • Seek stakeholder view points and reactions to survey results and implications
  • Engage stakeholders in exploration of curricula needs
  • Reach consensus on general curricula needs and higher education strategies
  • Engage stakeholders in discussions of issues to be addressed to implement curricula improvements
  • Develop a practical consensus strategy to overcome obstacles to improve curricula adoption and implementation

Agenda

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Time Event
08:30 Welcome/Introductions, Fr Mike Schultheis, Acting Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Sudan and Mike Bertelsen, Virginia Tech
08:45 Welcome from Sudanese officials
09:00 Workshop goals and objectives, Mike Bertelsen, Virginia Tech   (PowerPoint)
09:15 Preliminary results from the Higher Education in Agriculture/Environmental Sciences Needs Assessment survey – Thomas Broyles, Virginia Tech and Peter Wyeth (PowerPoint)
09:45 Higher Education in Agriculture/Environmental Sciences Needs Assessment survey for the greater Bahr El Ghazal region, Victor Loku Kwajok, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Professor of Veterinary Science, University of Bahr el Ghazal
10:00

Discussion questions for remainder of symposium

  • Are the preliminary findings of the Needs Assessment Survey reasonable and if so, how can they be extrapolated to the Southern Sudan as a whole?
  • Can students who complete certificates move on to diplomas, and those who complete diplomas move on to B.Sc.?
  • Are general versus specialized degrees in agriculture more important in an immediate post-conflict situation?
  • What emphasis should be given to practical training in B.Sc. programs?
  • Are there programs and activities that could provide additional resources for universities and enrich the academic program?
  • How important is some understanding of the elements economics or business principles for generalists or specialists in agriculture in other than agribusiness programs?
  • What issues would a university face in offering curricula that would be consistent with the considerations raised here, and how might they be addressed?
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Discussion questions, cont’d
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Discussion questions, cont’d
15:30 Coffee Break 
16:00 Discussion questions, cont’d
17:45 Adjourn

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Time Event
09:30 Discussion questions, cont’d
10:15 Coffee break
10:45 Discussion questions, cont’d
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Summary presentation and discussion
15:00 Coffee break
15:30 Symposium Summary and Outcomes, Theo Dillaha, Virginia Tech (PowerPoint)
16:00 Closing ceremony
16:30 Adjourn

Participants

Name Affiliation Position E-Mail
Victor Loku Kwajok University of Bahr el Ghazal Deputy Vice Chancellor and Professor of Veterinary Science loku44@yahoo.com
Loro George Leju Lugor Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry Director General, Research, Training & Extension lejulugor@yahoo.co.uk
Festus James University of Juba Director, Office of the Vice Chancellor mideh2000@yahoo.com
Sibrino Barnaba Forojalla University of Juba Vice Chancellor sforojalla@yahoo.co.uk
Timothy Thwol Onak Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry Director General of Forestry yatto90@yahoo.com
Atem Garang Malual Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry Director of Training alfredatem@hotmail.com
John Chuol Dhol Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry Director General, Agricultural Production jchuold@hotmail.com
Mike Schultheis Catholic University of Sudan Acting Vice Chancellor mschultheis@netzero.net
Aggrey Abate University of Juba Dean, College of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences abateal@yahoo.com
James Odra University of Juba Secretary for Academic Affairs & Associate Professor of Crop
Physiology 		gallaodra@yahoo.com
Atem Kuir Jok Ministry of Education, Science & Technology Director General atemkjongbai@yahoo.com
Michael Bertelsen Virginia Tech Associate Dean & Director OIRED bertel@vt.edu
Theo Dillaha Virginia Tech Professor dillaha@vt.edu
Thomas Broyles Virginia Tech Assistant Professor tbroyles@vt.edu
Peter Wyeth Washington State U. (retired) & LandCare for Food Security Agricultural Economist peter_wyeth@yahoo.com

Trip reports