Strengthening Academic Infrastructure in Forestry in South Africa

Dr. Bart ThielgesDr. Badege BishawDr. Robin RoseMrs. Marion McNamaraDr. John Sessions Mr. Mark Reed Mr. Jeff Hino

Oregon State University

Dr. Frits RijkenbergUniversity of NatalMr. Jabulani Gugushe Fort Cox CollegeMr. Grey de VilliersUniversity of Fort Hare

USAID Strategic Goals1. To encourage broad-based economic growth and

agricultural development;2. To strengthen democracy and good government;3. To build human capacity via education and training; 4. To stabilize world population, protect human health;5. To protect the world’s environment for long-term

sustainability; and6. To reduce suffering associated with natural or man-made

disasters and to re-establish conditions necessary for political and/or economic development.

USAID ALO / EDDI Funded Projects

Strengthening Academic Infrastructure in Forestry in South Africa (ALO, 1998)

Sustaining Institutional Development in Eastern Cape ProvienceThrough Natural Resource Education, Affordable Housing R & D and Technology Enhancement (ALO & EDDI, 2000)

Institutional Strengthening Through Natural Resource Management: Creating a New Paradigm of the commons (EDDI, 2001)

Project ObjectivesDevelop educational, research, & outreach programs in Agroforestry (UFH), Community Forestry (FCC) & Agroforestry modeling (UNP)Increase internationalization of curricula through student & faculty exchange, collaborative research, & education.Improve teaching, learning, & outreach through the introduction of IT and new media technologyExplore possible post graduate education at OSU for faculty members of UFH, FCC and UNP.

Oregon State UniversityEstablished 186717,000 studentsAlma mater of 2-time Nobel Prize winner Linus PaulingA Land, Sea, & Space Grant University

Republic of South Africa

University of Fort Hare

Established in 1916 (oldest black college in southern Africa).

Alma mater of Nelson Mandela, other regional leaders.

About 7000 students

Fort Cox CollegeOpened in 1930.

3-year Diploma.

4 departments:Community Forestry

Agronomy

Livestock Production

Agricultural Economics & Extension

About 200 students.

University of NatalEstablished in 1910

It has Pietermaritzburg

& Durban Centers

Academic areasScience & Agriculture

Education

Engineering

Human Sciences

Human & Mgmt. Sciences

Law

Community & Develop.

Management studies

Health Sciences

Indigenous forests near Hogsback, E. Cape

Shifting agriculture, E. Cape.

Degraded sites near a village.

Fuelwood from Acacia Karoo.

Agroforestry curriculum development at UFH

Undergraduate curriculum development completed

Graduate curriculum development completed

Agroforestry is considered to be a subset of an existing agriculture program

Establish AF teaching and demonstration plots

Teaching material development

Community Forestry Curriculum Review at FCC

The Community Forestry curriculum at FCC has been reviewed in Fall 2000The Curriculum is outcome basedEstablish curriculum advisory committee to assist on curriculum developmentContinue work on developing the horticulture curriculum at FCC

Agroforestry R&D and Nursery at UNP

R & D in alley- and fruit farming at Ukulinga Farm

Build a green house to raise tree and horticultural seedlings

Small Farm modeling for Rural Development in KZN

Work with villagers on tree planting & rural development

Develop small scale farming model for KwaZulu Natal

Involve in teaching & research in forestry & agroforestry at UNP

Plant Propagation Center at FCC

Old nursery done in cooperation with British “South Africa Link” program.

Dam filled with water

New and Improved Irrigation Pond

The pond can be a source of fish

Water tank and pump ready for irrigation

Shade house under construction

A whole new shade house with modern irrigation

Shade house with young seedlings FCC

Extension work with farmer.

.Fodder production - cut & carry system

Technology Enhancement

Objective:

Increase the use of visuals in teaching and learning through the use of new digital media.

Tools, Training & Integration

New media tools Digital video and digital still cameras

iMac video editing systems & software

Data/video projection equipment

Training workshops on integrating digital media into the curriculum

Training Workshop on usingMedia - FCC Staff

LearningGPSFor theFirst Time!

First ever websites for classes

“..and the HTML code for …

Video clip…

QuickTime™ and a MPEG-4 Video decompressor are needed to see this picture.

Problems Encountered

Political problems due to evolving structure of RSA Higher Education

Constant changes in RSA project personnel, causing Serious infrastructure problems Poor communications & accountability loss of project momentum

Racial, tribal, & union conflicts Problems understanding & implementing

technology Computer incompatibilities, power outagesTick bite fever, snakes, dust

Where do we go from here?

Some resources remain to:

Complete agroforestry curriculum research and extension development (UFH & FCC).

Investigate affordable housing

Additional funding secured from USAID EDDI:

Establish nursery / greenhouse (FCC & UNP).

Plant trees and develop rural communities

Continue teaching technology enhancement

Develop Agroforestry and small farming model

For more information

Http://www.cof.orst.edu/project/usaidalo/

Questions?