Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech International Symposium II on Higher Education in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in Southern Sudan Juba, Southern Sudan March 11-12, 2009 Dr. Mike Bertelsen Associate Director, OIRED Associate Dean, CALS Catholic University of Sudan

Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia USA Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech March 11-12, 2009 A “Land Grant” University 20,000 undergraduates - 9,000 graduate students 2,000 faculty College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 12 Departments 450+ faculty (including off-campus faculty) 2,600 undergraduates 700+ graduate students Office of International Research, Education, and Development (OIRED) One of the largest international programs offices in USA Mission: project the land grant mission of the university internationally Active in 40+ countries around the world

–Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANREM) Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) Supplemental grant from USAID/Sudan to conduct a “needs assessment” New circumstances/challenges for post-conflict higher education –New College (Faculty) of Agriculture and Environmental Science being formed (CUofS) –Reestablishment of public universities in the South Opportunity for collaboration to examine a broad range of questions and the applied research question: –‘What are the ‘best’ or optimum curricula and strategies to re-start higher education in agriculture and environmental sciences in post- conflict countries?’ Context of Symposium Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech March 11-12, 2009 Catholic University of Sudan

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 Symposium II Goals Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech March 11-12, 2009 Catholic University of Sudan

Organization of Symposium 1.Review progress to date and present and discuss the results of the “needs assessment” survey 2.Discuss and reach consensus on general curricula needs and implementation issues 3.Working Group Discussions and Reporting 4. Symposium Synthesis, Summary and Way Forward Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech March 11-12, 2009

Organization of Symposium Questions or Comments? Catholic University of Sudan Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech March 11-12, 2009