The Purdue-Vicosa project: A case study in institution building

Adriela Fernandez, Purdue University

Abstract

Two basic questions motivated this research. The first pertains to the efficiency of international cooperation programs in agricultural education. The second motivation stems from an interest in investigating the value of the perspective known as Institution Building as a means for organizing and analyzing international assistance. The context for this investigation is the evaluation of a cooperative agreement between the U.S. and Brazil. This program, sponsored by USAID and implemented by Purdue University, lasted over two decades and resulted in profound changes in the host institution, the Federal University of Vicosa. Appraisal of the Purdue-Vicosa project shows that it is possible to engage in successful international cooperative ventures in which both the donor and host institutions can fulfill much of their original agenda. But some pre-existing conditions are necessary in the donor as well as the host institution in order to avoid the imposition of programs and doctrines that could be detrimental to the host country. The conditions for the host institution are: (1) existence of a minimum level of physical infrastructure; (2) existence of indigenous personnel able to participate in the elaboration of the agenda, thereby providing joint direction to the program; and (3) a minimum level of support from the host community for the program. On the donor side, the conditions are: (1) a long term commitment; (2) willingness to commit qualified personnel from its permanent staff; and (3) continuity. This assessment also suggested that high power research-oriented universities will be most effective when projects involve a middle income country such as countries in Eastern Europe or Latin America. The results also suggest that institution building is a useful tool, provided its limitations are understood. It offers a framework to conceptualize and operationalize problems of assistance and cooperation which otherwise are very hard to formulate. The most important lesson to be learned from this effort is the need for pre-assessment of the project's likely impact on (a) the host institution once the program ends, and (b) the donor institution, in order to capitalize on the international experience which such an endeavor offers. Indeed, the profound impact which this project had on many Purdue faculty stands as a key byproduct of this joint effort.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Stohl, Purdue University.

Subject Area

International law|International relations|Higher education|Agricultural education

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