International Training Programs

Sustainable economic development is a major challenge in many developing countries, where large percentages of the population live below the poverty level. In these countries, a shortage of natural resources, lack of modern technology, and an acute shortage of personnel with management and technical skills create an urgent need for a systematic investment program for the development of human capital.

International Training Programs (ITP) is a unique entity within IPAN. Its specific role is to offer short-term customized training programs designed to meet the project needs of developing countries in managing their growth, particularly through managerial programs and utilization of natural resources.

Training programs have included: (1) food security policy; (2) monitoring and evaluation; (3) sustainable agriculture; (4) business management and planning; (5) decentralization; (6) agricultural research management; (6) research extension linkages and privatization of extension; and (7) use of MIS in improving agricultural research management.

The programs are often tailored to diverse professional development objectives, time availability and financial resources. Programs typically run from 2 to 4 weeks.

In addition to these programs, ITP has conducted several workshops for World Bank Task Managers. ITP is registered as a small contract vendor with the World Bank, and has held workshops on Nutrient Management and Managing Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment.

Delegations

IPAN frequently hosts visiting delegations from around the world. We have hosted many delegations from Africa, Russia, and particularly from China.

The purpose of the visits vary, depending on the delegations' background and interests. Foreign visitors are interested in subjects ranging from agricultural policy to agricultural economics to soil erosion to extension. Often, the visits include a site visit to a farm or extension office, and always involve faculty members from the College that specializes in the subject matter at hand. The delegations typically comprise either university officials or ministry officials.

An example of a visiting delegation is the one IPAN organized with the Institute of Global Chinese Affairs. In 1999, the two offices were selected by the Chinese Government to arrange a three-week tour of policy makers from the Ministry of Science and Technology. The 13-member delegation's goal was to learn about the U.S. system of agriculture research, education and extension so they would be in a better position to reorganize the Chinese system. We arranged their complete itinerary most of which occurred in Maryland.

For more information, contact Prabhakar Tamboli

Last updated: 01/17/2008