Development of an International Study Center in South Africa for Studies in Agriculture and Related Sciences
PI(s): Fell, Richard D, Buikema, Arthur, Brewster, Carlyle C., McKenna, Jim R, Hansen, Mary Ann, Sutphin, Dean
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Abstract: The primary purpose of this project is to build upon our relaionships with the University of the Free State (UFS) to expand the opportunities for collaborative reserach, teaching, extension, and student exchange activities in southern Africa. The specific objectives of the proposal are to expand and revitalize our current student exchange program, lay the foundation for development of an Internation Study Center at UFS, develop an internship and training program for extension agents that will enhance their capabilities and promote knowledge transfer back to Virginia farmers, and develop internship programs that will provide work experience for students in agriculture. The proposed activities wil strengthen the global competence of scientists, extension agents, and educators, and enhance the capabilites of Virginia Tech to conduct collaborative research in South Africa.
Description: The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech established an exchange program with the University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1997. Since that time, over eighty students and ten faculty members from both institutions have taken part in the exchange. The program has provided a significant international experience for students and has encouraged faculty and institutional collaboration, including a four-week summer study-abroad course offered by the Biology and Entomology departments at Virginia Tech. The primary purpose of this proposal is to build upon our relationships with UFS to expand the opportunities for collaborative research, teaching, extension and student exchange activities in southern Africa. The activities we propose will strengthen the global competence of scientists, extension agents, and educators, enhance the capabilities of Virginia Tech to conduct collaborative research in South Africa, and improve the knowledge base of our extension specialists of new technologies relevant to agriculture and related life sciences. We will do this by developing an international study center at UFS that can help organize and oversee research, study, and internship programs in a diversity of interest areas that are not present in the United States. The specific objectives of this proposal are to: 1. Expand and revitalize our current student exchange program by increasing student participation and developing new study-abroad courses. 2. Lay the foundation for development of an International Study Center at the University of the Free State that can help organize and oversee research, study, and internship programs. 3. Develop an internship and training program for extension agents that will enhance their capabilities and provide for knowledge transfer back to Virginia farmers. 4. Develop student internship programs that provide work experience for students in agriculture and agriculture-related areas.
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Audiences: Extension Agents, Researchers, Teachers, Undergraduates
