A view on the past

During the past three years (August 2003 to August 2006) heavy emphasis has been placed on short term training programs. In addition to the technical short courses described via this website, a total of 24 specialized programs were arranged for Afghan research scientists. These training programs were usually one week in length and were conducted at research stations and institutes in the NWFPAU system.

These “train-the-trainer” short courses and “twinning” arrangements that were established between research staff and stations, have made a significant “early impact” on recovery of the agriculture sector.

Masters Degree

To sustain this recovery, we must give more attention to long-term degree training; especially for university staff. Support from the RAMP project allowed us to enroll a group of ten for M.Sc. degree study at the NWFPAU, beginning in August 2004. This group of ten – five from Kabul University and five from Nangarhar University – completed their degrees in July 2006 and returned to their universities for the fall term.

A second group of ten is being selected by the Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) to begin M.Sc. study in January 2007. Support for their study will come from the Ministry. Upon degree completion, these nominees will return to positions as National Program Leaders and Subject Matter Specialists in the MAI Extension Department.

Short Course and Masters Degree Future Plans

Technical short courses and other types of specialized short-term training will be offered and available during the coming months. It is our intent however, to establish a trend toward more degree training. It is also our intent, to eventually select individuals who excel in M.Sc. degree programs at the NWFPAU and place them for continuing advanced degree study in U.S. universities that are appropriate to their disciplinary needs.