Human Capacity Development

Collaborating Institutions

Oregon State University

Marion McNamara

Introduction

The goal of the Education Development Component (EDC) is to complement the research activities of all CRSP projects by strengthening human capacity in participating countries. The EDC was established in response to the need to improve human capacity development, which was identified as one of the constraints to aquaculture to be addressed by the CRSP during the 1996-2001 Continuation Plan. Improved human capacity includes education and training in both the formal and informal sectors.

The EDC works with all CRSP projects to design and implement appropriate training and education activities to support the research thrusts at each site. In addition to supporting site-specific activities, the EDC maintains a centralized clearinghouse about training and education opportunities in the fields of aquaculture, aquaculture development, aquatic ecology, fisheries, and natural resource management. A major thrust of the EDC is to help program participants find support for undergraduate, graduate and non-degree training in technical and socioeconomic aspects of aquaculture, fisheries and related aquatic resources. The EDC also helps to design and organize short term training programs that bridge information gaps in technical areas. Recognizing that one of the major strengths of the CRSP is its collaborative approach to research, the EDC uses a participatory approach in designing programs. The workplan of the EDC is developed by eliciting information from participating US and Host Country PIs about training needs for their projects; in addition, the forward plan for the EDC calls for establishment of an advisory committee in each of the regions in which the CRSP works, to ensure that training and education programs are responsive to the needs of all stakeholders. The activities of the EDC are divided into "core" activities, which are funded with CRSP funds, and "buy-in" activities, which are planned to be funded externally.

The activities of the EDC will be staged, with a focus on one prime CRSP site each year. Support will entail significant support for graduate level students, based on the long-term research needs identified by each country's Education Advisory Panel. Emphasis will also be placed on initiating short-term training workshops that address the technical and aquaculture business management needs identified by the Education Advisory Panel.

1. Create a CRSP Fellowship Program to Provide Appropriate Support for Graduate-Level Students at each CRSP Host Country Site
2. Identify Educational Opportunities Offered by Governments, Foundations, Other Donors
3. Coordinate Evaluation of CRSP-Sponsored Short Courses and Workshops
4. Serve as the CRSP Link to the Planning Committee for ISTA IV
5. Provide Travel Support for Station Managers from CRSP Host Countries to Attend a Training Workshop in the U.S.
6. Maintain and Improve the Database of CRSP Education and Training Alumni
7. Establish a Library of Information on CRSP Institutions
8. Seek External Support for Additional Activities to Follow-on ISTA IV
9. Work with Institutions in CRSP Host Countries to Seek Additional Scholarship Funding from Government Agencies, Foundations, and the Private Sector to Support Masters and Doctoral Students
10. Seek External Support for a Station Manager Workshop to Be Held in the US

Establish an Education Advisory Panel in Each Country in which the CRSP Works

(Human Capacity Development 1A)

Purpose: To provide feedback about training needs and efficacy of training efforts in each country.

Audience: CRSP collaborators in each country.

Implementation: Elicit assistance of CRSP PIs in host countries to invite representatives from appropriate host country institutions to participate in a planning meeting for an Education Advisory Panel. Meet with representatives to develop scope of work and procedures for operation. Work with Education Advisory Panel to develop a country plan for training that includes long- and short-term activities. With the panel, develop criteria for selection of participants in graduate-level activities to be supported by the EDC. The nature of long-term support will be determined on a site-by-site basis. Initial contact with PIs suggests that some sites require support for Masters-level training, and others require support for materials and travel for students to complete their research. Panel members will assist in attracting applicants for long-term support, and in publicizing short-term training activities. Whenever feasible, short-term training activities will be fee-based, thus providing at least partial support for these activities.

Establishment of committees will be staged, beginning with Honduras, then Philippines. Order of Kenya, Peru, Thailand to be determined.

Deliverable: Scope of work for Education Advisory Panel; procedure handbook for Education Advisory Panel; training plan for activities in each country.

Schedule:

Honduras

Establish panel, Spring 1997.

Develop procedures for operation, Summer 1997

Develop training plan (with Honduras panel), Summer 1997

Develop procedure for selection of graduate student(s) to be supported,

Summer 1997

Initiate short-term training activities, Fall 1997

Initiate support for graduate-level activities, Fall 1997

Philippines-Establish committee, Fall/Winter, 1998

Create a CRSP Fellowship Program to Provide Appropriate Support for Graduate-Level Students at each CRSP Host Country Site

(Human Capacity Development 1B)

Purpose: Increase number of graduate students working on CRSP research

Audience:

·CRSP participants

·Potential graduate students

Implementation: Using input from each site's Education Advisory Panel, develop application procedure for graduate-level support. Provide Education Advisory Panels with criteria for identifying potential candidates. Create a committee representing the EDC, the PMO, and the TC to select at least one recipient at each site over the period of the grant. Create mechanism for transfer of funds to students. Develop procedures for student accountability. Develop procedures for students to disseminate research results.

Deliverable: Thesis from each site

Schedule:

Develop application procedure and criteria for screening candidates,

Summer 1997

Receive applications and select recipient(s), Summer 1997

Begin student support, Fall/Winter 1997

Monitor student progress, on-going

Monitor and assist students in dissemination of research results, on-going

Identify Educational Opportunities Offered by Governments, Foundations, Other Donors

(Human Capacity Development 1C)

Opportunities will include scholarships, fellowships, internships, and assistantships that have the potential to contribute to strengthening human resources in aquaculture

Purpose: To increase the amount of information about educational support available to CRSP participants and the general aquaculture community.

Audience:

CRSP PIs

CRSP collaborators

Recipients of EdOp Net

Implementation: Monitor educational and employment opportunities available in the field of aquaculture, aquatic ecology, fisheries, fisheries biology, natural resource management, etc. Organize opportunities by category into a newsletter format. Disseminate newsletter electronically via email and the web; disseminate hard copies through the mail. Conduct semi-annual Reader Response Survey for EdOp Net, using results to modify EdOp Net as needed.

Deliverable: EdOp Net

Schedule: Monthly

Coordinate Evaluation of CRSP-Sponsored Short Courses and Workshops

(Human Capacity Development 1D)

Purpose: Provide useful feedback to CRSP trainers for course improvement

Audience:

CRSP trainers

Donors

Implementation: Prepare evaluation materials for short courses and workshops taught by CRSP researchers or supported with CRSP funding. Distribute materials to presenters to use at close of activity. Collect evaluations, record data in the training inventory, summarize information, distribute evaluation summary to course participants, CRSP advisory boards, and donors, as appropriate.

Deliverable: Training activity report

Schedule: 30 days after completion of activity

Serve as the CRSP Link to the Planning Committee for ISTA IV

(Human Capacity Development 1E)

Provide limited logistical support.

Purpose: Improve linkages and increase visibility of the CRSP with international aquaculture community

Audience: General aquaculture community

Implementation: Serve on planning committee for ISTA IV. Ensure the CRSP is represented in technical sessions. Attend ISTA IV.

Deliverable: CRSP technical sessions at ISTA IV

Schedule: On-going through Nov. 1997

Maintain and Improve the Database of CRSP Education and Training Alumni

(Human Capacity Development 1F)

Purpose: Increase contact between the CRSP and alumni, and among alumni.

Audience:

·USAID/other donors

·Program Management

·CRSP alumni

Implementation: Collect current information from program participants. Create and maintain database that captures relevant information about CRSP training and education alumni. Include information in Annual Report. Use alumni information to create promotional materials for future short-term training activities.

Deliverable:

Annual report

Misc. reports

Promotional materials for future training activities

Schedule:

Annual reports in Dec. 1996; Dec. 1997

Other reports as requested

Promotional materials as needed

Provide Travel Support for Station Managers from CRSP Host Countries to Attend a Training Workshop in the U.S.

(Human Capacity Development 1G)

Purpose: Upgrade and standardize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of CRSP station managers

Audience: Station managers at CRSP research sites, CRSP PIs, Donors

Implementation: If external funding for station managers' training is secured (See Research Support 2J) coordinate travel arrangements, purchase airline tickets, and assist with visa applications.

Deliverable: Coordinated travel schedules, visas, etc.

Schedule: Winter 1997-Spring 1998

Create and Maintain a Web Page Linked to the PD/A CRSP Page

(Human Capacity Development 1H)

Purpose: Provide up-to-date, user-friendly information about educational opportunities in the field of aquaculture. Provide easy access to information about all CRSP collaborators

Audience:

·CRSP participants

·CRSP institutions

·General aquaculture community

·Interested public

Implementation: Design and mount a web page that includes information on CRSP training programs, training programs supported by CRSP institutions, information about educational opportunities, and information on aquaculture-related conferences and workshops. Create links to CRSP institutions and to institutions offering aquaculture programs through distance education.

Deliverable: Web page

Schedule: Summer 1997, then on-going

Establish a Library of Information on CRSP Institutions

(Human Capacity Development 1I)

Purpose: Provide easy access to CRSP institutions for other CRSP institutions and for the general public

Audience:

CRSP participants

Donor agencies

General aquaculture community

Implementation: Establish a library of information on CRSP institutions, including catalogs, graduate programs, special training programs available at each institution. Create links between all CRSP institutions that have web sites and the EDC homepage.

Deliverable: Centrally located library about CRSP institutions

Web page links

Schedule: June 1997-Sep. 1997; maintenance thereafter will be on-going

Seek External Support for Additional Activities to Follow-on ISTA IV

(Human Capacity Development 1J)

Activity may include a study tour, or a short workshop. Additional funds will also be sought to support conference travel of researchers from Host Countries.

Purpose: Expand educational activities for conference attendees

Audience:

·General aquaculture community

·CRSP junior scientists

Implementation: In consultation with CRSP PIs, design a two-week training course to include the ISTA conference. Contract with training personnel. Create budget for course. Advertise the course to conference attendees. Write proposal to donors to find support for additional attendees. Oversee course registration and logistical arrangements. Facilitate participation of course attendees during training course. Evaluate program and write final report. Distribute final report

Deliverable: Short course

Schedule: Dec. 1996-Jan. 1998

Work with Institutions in CRSP Host Countries to Seek Additional Scholarship Funding from Government Agencies, Foundations, and the Private Sector to Support Masters and Doctoral Students

(Human Capacity Development 1K)

Purpose: Increase the integration of CRSP research and educational activities into those of our collaborating institutions

Audience: Host country institutions

Implementation: Using information from regional training needs assessment, and in collaboration with PIs, expatriate researchers, and representatives of Host Country institutions, write proposals to support CRSP-related research by students at host country institutions. Collaborate with host country institutions in administering funded proposals and in reporting to donors.

Deliverable: Proposals for graduate support at collaborating institutions

Schedule: Spring 1998

Seek External Support for a Station Manager Workshop to Be Held in the US

(Human Capacity Development 1L)

Purpose: Upgrade and standardize the knowledge , skills, and abilities of CRSP station managers

Audience: CRSP station managers

Implementation: Develop training program using criteria specified by US and Host Country PIs. Create budget for course. Contract with training personnel. Write proposal to donors for support of training program, exclusive of international travel, which will be prime site-funded. Oversee logistical arrangements. Assist training personnel with development of training materials, as needed. Evaluate program and write final report. Distribute final report.

Deliverable:

Short-term training program

Schedule: June 1997-June 1998

Human Capacity
development