Description
This program will support the design and delivery of training activities for university professors in Veterinary Science from the Philippines and Vietnam. Veterinary training design and training under FEP must include a curriculum that addresses science based SPS/TBT issues that connect to international trade. Background FEP began in 1995 to bring junior- or mid-level university professors from countries in the Former Soviet Union to the United States for one semester to increase their knowledge of, and ability to, teach agricultural economics, marketing, and agribusiness management at their home institutions. Between 2002-2012, the program evolved to also include an Agricultural Science area, which focused on subjects such as animal health, food quality, food inspection, phytosanitary measures, and grades and standards, and involved scientists from Africa and Central America, in addition to Eastern Europe and Eurasian countries. Starting in 2016, the FEP narrowed its geographic focus solely to Africa, and to the area of Veterinary Science. Since 2016, this Veterinary Science area of the program has hosted 54 early to mid-career instructors at Colleges of Veterinary Medicine from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Training programs are designed and organized in conjunction with U.S. universities, the USDA, and other government agencies. The FEP emphasizes improved and updated course and curriculum development, teaching and student assessment methods, exposure to current research techniques and practical field experiences while the Fellows study in the United States. In addition, the FEP includes follow-up visits by U.S. host professors. While visiting the participants' universities U.S. faculty members are expected to assess progress in implementation of courses developed during the U.S.-based portion of the program and continue to encourage collaboration between U.S. and participating universities. Objectives The purpose of the FEP is to assist developing countries improve their university agricultural education, research, and extension programs by providing a one semester training program at U.S. Land Grant Agricultural Universities. Participants upgrade their technical knowledge in their subject area, they learn new teaching methods through class observation, and new research methods through experience in the lab, short courses, and/or one-on-one instruction. During this FY 2022 FEP programming cycle, it is expected that each participant from the Philippines and Vietnam revise and modernize their class outlines for introduction at their home university after they return. Participants travel to laboratories, farms, agribusinesses, and government offices to gain an understanding of how the veterinary science and animal health systems operate in the United States. Faculty Mentors visit each participant in their home country 3-9 months after the conclusion of the U.S.-based program to provide follow-on support and advice. USDA will select Fellows based on similar backgrounds in research areas and place them in groups of up to ten Fellows. Each group will be placed at a Land Grant University specializing in their topic.