2. Building Relevant Academic Programs and Improving Research Capacity in Emerging Skill, Post-Conflict Higher Education Systems

• In Event: Roundtable Session (Monday II)
  In Refereed Round-Table Session: Laying the foundation for resilient higher education systems in post-conflict environments: the case of Afghanistan

Proposal

Building Relevant Academic Programs and Improving Research Capacity in Emerging Skill, Post-Conflict Higher Education Systems: Lessons Learned from Building Faculty Members’ Disciplinary, Teaching and Research Capacity to Support Establishment of a New Food Technology Department (Kevin McNamara, Purdue University).

This presentation focuses on efforts under the USWDP project to establish a new Food Technology department at an Afghan University. The presentation explores Purdue University’s work with Herat University to establish a steering committee, lead the effort and work within the partnership to build faculty capacity in food science; develop a curriculum relevant to the local economic context; introduce lab classes to the curriculum; establish modern teaching methods; and link academic programs to local industry. Insight will be provided on how Herat faculty and students were taught to document efforts and follow appropriate protocols/standards to share their work through publications in appropriate peer reviewed journals. The publications provided faculty members with an incentive to improve their research capacity since publications in internationally recognized, peer reviewed journals enhanced their professional status and allowed them to meet requirements for promotion. This discussion focuses on lessons learned in helping Afghan team members develop planning and research skills. The panelist will discuss research capacity issues in Afghanistan’s higher education system and unpack the “dos” and “don’ts” of program development and research support provided in similar contexts.

Author

• Kevin McNamara, Purdue University