Updated June 1997
Introduction and Table of Contents
The role of universities in the National Agricultural Research Systems
of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the Sudan and Tunisia
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome, 1996
For a copy of this publication, write to: Chief, FAO Research
and Technology Development Service (SDRR), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla,
00100 Rome, Italy
Introduction
Background to the study
Universities are recognized for their role in human resources development,
but they are not equally recognized for the role they could play in agricultural
research as part of national agricultural research systems (NARS). Despite
a considerable concentration of highly trained and qualified scientists,
universities in the Near East and North Africa Region have contributed only
marginally to mainstream agricultural research. Organized and targeted collaboration
between universities and national agricultural research institutes (NARIs)
can increase scope and improve research capacities. It can also benefit
the universities in both undergraduate and post-graduate training.
Recognizing the central significance of strong, effective NARS, the productive
research potential in the universities and the potential implicit in the
complementarity of the two, FAO initiated this project to establish and
strengthen collaborative research linkages, to enable universities become
effective partners in NARS and thereby improving NARS' capacities to generate
the technologies required for sustainable agricultural growth in the target
countries. The immediate objective was to enable universities to become
more effective partners in NARS.
The hypothesis, simply stated, is that links between NARIs and universities
are generally weak, ineffective and not sustainable. The creation of higher
agricultural education institutions and NARIs is based on the conviction
that both are vital for agricultural research. The combined effort of both
will strengthen the capacities of NARS. Forming improved, effective and
sustainable linkages between universities and NARIs will help agriculture
realize its potential.
Objectives of the case studies
The terms of reference set out for the country case studies included:
- to review and analyse the current role of universities in strengthening
the agricultural research capabilities in the country;
- to assess the research potential and limitations of the research institutions;
and
- to suggest measures and propose actions which would strengthen universities
and NARIs so that they could become effective partners in research.
Methodology for preparation of the case studies
- Questionnaire formats were prepared by FAO for use by the consultants
for collecting and analysing data and information;
- the prepared questionnaires were distributed by the national consultants
to Directors of NARIs and to Deans of academic institutions;
- following return of the questionnaires, they were collated and analysed,
and lacunae and anomalies identified for further elucidation;
- follow-up discussions were arranged with directors and staff of research
units and deans and academic staff of the academic institutions;
- the information was reviewed and analysed, and the findings prepared
as a report;
- the report was then presented to the National Steering Committee (NSC)
for comment, and ammended as appropriate in the light of the comments; and
- the report was finally presented in a national workshop for review,
analysis, refinement and validation of the findings and recommendations
of the case study.
A regional expert prepared a synthesis of all five case studies, drawing
together the loose national strands and weaving them into a regional overview.
That synthesis appears as the first chapter of this publication.
Finally, the five case studies and the synthesis were consolidated by FAO,
and edited to introduce a measure of conformity in language and style.
Contents
List of abbreviations
Promoting the role of universities in national agricultural research
systems - an overview
Introduction
FAO/AARINENA Synthesis Workshop
The Workshop and its aims
Country case studies:
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Morocco
- The Sudan
- Tunisia
Major findings and synthesis
Recommendations
Conclusions
General guidelines for establishing and strengthening university-NARI linkages
Case Study No. 1 - Egypt
Agricultural sector review - Agricultural research - Agriculture Research Centre - Desert Research Centre - Water Research Centre - Academy of Scientific Research and Technology - National Research Centre - Other institutions - Research staff and funding - Academic institutions - Institutional organization - University research - Collaborative research links between universities and NARIs - Graduate studies - Research grants within NARP - Technology Transfer of Horticultural Crops Development Programme - Regional Research and Extension Councils - National Campaigns for Commodities - Success stories of linkages - Proposals for effective university-NARI linkages - Recommendations for enhancing linkages - Conclusions
Case study No. 2 - Jordan
The agricultural sector - Academic institutions - Successful linkages - National Agricultural Research Institutions - Other institutions involved in agriculture research - Linkages between the universities and NCARTT - Workshop results - Recommendations - Recommendations for NCARTT - Recommendations for the universities - Recommendations for increasing linkages - References cited and sources used
Case Study No. 3 - Morocco
Agriculture sector review - The Moroccan NARS - Academic institutions - Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine - The National Agricultural School of Meknes - The National Forestry School of Salé - The Moroccan NARS - Research institutions - National Institute for Agricultural Research - Major constraints in agricultural research - Recommendations for linkages - Conclusions - Bibliographic resources used
Case Study No. 4 - The Sudan
Background to Sudan's agriculture - The resource base - Agriculture in the national economy - Irrigated production systems - Rain-fed production systems - Livestock production - Fisheries - Forests - Rangelands - Wildlife - National objectives of the Agricultural Development Plan - National policies, priorities and commitment to agricultural research - National Agricultural Research Institutions - Agricultural Research Corporation - National Centre for Research - Animal Production Research Administration - Academic institutions (universities) - Academic staff - Research in the universities - NARI-university linkages - Conclusions - Universities - NARIs - Linkages - Recommendations for developing and strengthening NARI-university linkages
Case Study No. 5 - Tunisia
Role of the agricultural sector in the national economy - The National Agricultural Research System - Research institutions - Academic institutions - Affiliations - National policy for agricultural research - Research institutions - Experiment station constraints - Funding and management - Research output - Academic institutions - Institutional constraints - Linkages between NARIs and universities - Successful collaboration and future prospects - Role of agricultural colleges in the NARS - Annex: Major findings of the Workshop, Tunis, 16 December 1994
