| Synthesis Paper | Cooperating Agencies | Researchers |
Title of the Research Project
Funding Agency
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT
ODL for Agricultural Development and Rural Poverty Reduction: A Comparative Analysis of Innovation and Best Practice in Asia
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
To understand and improve the application of ODL strategies to the challenges of agricultural development and rural poverty reduction.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Five institutions from Asia and the Pacific collaborated in the research through developing case studies of their innovative or exemplary practices in open and distance learning for agricultural development and rural poverty reduction:
- National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, India
- Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan
- The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture
- Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thailand
- University of the South Pacific, School of Agriculture, Samoa
The case studies were constructed, assessed, and compared in order to create policy and programmatic recommendations. The framework for analysis was developed through work of the project investigators with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This framework suggests that, to be effective in agricultural development and rural poverty reduction, ODL should:
- Be undertaken for the right reasons;
- Be sensitive to the context in which it is being applied;
- Make use of existing infrastructure, with sustainable cost structures;
- Engage stakeholders in participatory processes; and
- Use sound pedagogical and administrative models.
This research project involved two phases of activity. In Phase One, the collaborating researchers completed background papers, and then held a workshop (28 – 30 June, 2005 at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok) at which they developed a template for the case studies. In Phase Two, the collaborating researchers completed the case studies, and then held an online conference (1 – 15 February, 2006) hosted by the University of the Philippines Open University.
The primary audiences for the results of this research are institutional leaders and policy-makers in the fields of education, agriculture, and rural development around the world.
GUIDE TO THE WEBSITE
The knowledge produced through this research project is available through this website. Through clicking on the appropriate links below, or at the top of this homepage, you can access the following information:
- A Synthesis Paper written to summarize the insights of the five case studies, and propose recommendations based on the outcomes of this research project.
- The five Case Studies prepared for Phase Two of this research project.
- Short descriptions of the Cooperating Agencies that have contributed to this project.
- Biographical information about the Researchers participating in this project.
- The Background Papers produced during Phase One of this project.
The Presentations made during the June 2005 workshop in Bangkok.
FUNDING AGENCY
The Commonwealth of Learning ( COL) is an intergovernmental organization created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development of open learning and distance education, through the fostering and sharing of knowledge, resources and technologies. COL is helping developing nations improve access to quality education and training.
COL's purpose is to strengthen the capacity of member countries to develop the human resources required for their economic and social development. Special emphasis is placed on helping distance education institutions become more effective.
Its operations are financed by voluntary pledges of funds from Commonwealth governments.
COL is hosted in Canada by the Government of Canada with headquarters located in the Province of British Columbia. The five major voluntary contributors – currently Australia, Canada, India, Nigeria and the United Kingdom – are each entitled to seats on COL's Board of Governors.
COL also partners with donor and recipient Governments and agencies on specific projects and works co-operatively with several national and international development agencies and banks, including members of the UN System (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNDP and the World Bank), national and regional distance education associations and industry.
