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Ex-post Evaluation

Asia

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Pakistan

Project title:

The Project for Improvement of Educational Equipment for the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Issue/Sector:

Education

Cooperation Scheme:

Grant Aid

Division in Charge:

Grant Aid Management Department

Total Cost:

902 million yen

Period of Cooperation

FY 1995

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF)

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

Pakistan’s economy is based on agriculture, which made up 24% of Pakistan’s GNP in FY1994/95. To efficiently improve agricultural productivity, problems encountered in agricultural activities must be resolved through affiliations between educational organizations such as research institutions and universities and government institutions. There was a strong need for organizations to train skilled technical personnel to take part in these activities. The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) was established in 1909 and has the oldest agricultural department in Pakistan. Most of its graduates are employed at Pakistan’s educational research institutions and government organizations, playing a significant role in the research and development of agricultural technology, as well as dissemination and improvement of such technology. Compared to 1961, when UAF was reorganized as a university, the number of students in 1995 had increased by five times and the number of teachers had tripled.

However, this expansion in the size of the university has led to inadequacies and deterioration of the educational and research equipment. Accordingly, UAF has not been able to foster personnel capable of doing research and spreading technology as it had expected. To alleviate these conditions, the government of Pakistan requested Grand Aid from the government of Japan.

1-2 Project Overview

The equipment for laboratories, for common use, for the library, and the university publishing department were provided through Grant Aid to resolve the problems of deterioration and shortage, to enable high-quality agricultural research to be conducted.

(1) Overall Goal
To nurture research personnel in the field of agriculture and to spread agricultural technology.

(2) Project Purpose
To set up an environment at UAF to facilitate education and research activities.

(3) Outputs
1) Educational materials to be used in the department’s laboratories are procured.
2) Educational and research equipment to be used in the central laboratories are procured.
3) Equipment for the library and the university publishing department are procured.
4) Training in operation, maintenance and management techniques is implemented.

(4) Inputs

Japanese Side:

902 million yen

Pakistan Side:

Land and Facilities

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Bashir A Tahir, Semiotics Consultants (Pvt.) Limited
Javaid Iqbal, independent consultant

Period of Evaluation

December 27, 2002 – January 30, 2003

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-Post Evaluation by Overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
Over 80% of the old equipment was updated in the project, and in addition, new equipment was introduced. According to a questionnaire given to 64 teachers at UAF, 42 teachers (72%) stated that they used the procured equipment in over 40% of their classes. Before the equipment was procured, the teachers used old models, and conducted most of experiments while the students merely observed. However, the teachers responded in this questionnaire that, thanks to the project, the students were able to participate in experiments themselves and grasp the significance of empirical scientific research. Forty-eight of the 64 teachers stated that they used the equipment in research projects they were currently involved in, and stated that their research activities had been expanded.

The National Commission on Agriculture is calling for improvements on crop varieties that are resistant to bad weather conditions and disease-causing insects. In order to support efforts to develop high-yield, high-producing strands and introduce mechanized agricultural methods, UAF conducts water quality and other tests, analyzes plants and animals for diseases, and provides pest control. Using precision testing equipment for tests conventionally done by hand has helped to improve test precision and speed, and raise the test’s reliability. Further, the adoption of highly specialized lab equipment has enabled UAF to expand its test work into new agricultural-based industries such as the textile, food processing and chemical fertilizer industries.

Cooperative research is also active, with procured equipment shared between departments and used by related external institutions. According to a questionnaire, 51 teachers (79%) and 20 doctoral students (91%) are involved in joint research with other institutions. These institutions include Lahore University, the Punjab Forest Research Council, organizations related to the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), and other private-sector companies throughout the country. In 1996/1997, the agricultural division published 116 papers in domestic and international books and journals, and the rate of publication gradually increased to 183 in 1999/00, 258 in 2000/01 and 195 in 2001/02. Roughly 200 research projects are submitted every year.

In addition to UAF, Pakistan also has the Sindh Agricultural University and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Agricultural University. UAF is the highest-level educational institution and sends teachers and materials to these other two schools. Personnel trained at UFA go on to work in Pakistan’s educational and research institutes and governmental organizations that play a central role in the agricultural sector. In the 40 years between1961 and 2002, UFA produced 319 graduates with doctoral degrees, 121 (38%) of which received their doctoral degrees in the five years between the completion of the project and 2002. In an interview, an assistant director stated that the educational environment had been developed and research and analysis had improved, and that as a result of the rise in the number of students in the doctoral program, the number of doctoral graduates had increased.

(2) Sustainability
Since almost all the teachers have studied abroad, and most teachers have some experience with using the newly introduced equipment, there are no significant operational problems. Technicians (lab technicians, lab assistants, etc.) responsible for operations, maintenance and management are assigned to departments and divisions to do experiments and practical training. When the equipment was installed, the staff received training in daily maintenance and operations. Four UAF technicians received training on testing equipment by manufactures in Japan. Most of the equipment is being operated in good condition.

Procurement of spare parts is commissioned to the local distributor. This distributor is very skilled at making repairs and has very developed facilities. However, due to lack of communication, the relationship with the distributor has not been satisfactory.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) manages university budget and personnel, and the operating budget from the federal government is allocated through the UGC. With both direct and indirect cooperation from domestic and international institutions, many research projects are carried out at UAF, with PARC, Ayub Agriculture Research Center and other donors providing assistance with the necessary funds. According to financial managers, since there is no budget allocated specifically for equipment repairs and maintenance, they divert funds from other expenses, but this cannot always be done. Delays in repairing equipment have led to delays and obstacles for studies and educational activities.

The university teachers’ retention rate is high and, with 331 teachers at the moment (49 professors, 110 associate professors, 83 assistant professors, 79 lecturers, 2 senior researchers and 8 researchers), there are no problems securing staff.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
Since most teachers have studied abroad and therefore have experience in using the equipment introduced in the project, the project was able to make its impact smoothly.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
1) There were no problems in budget allocation.
2) Since the equipment maintenance is entrusted to each individual department, the repair and procurement system is not integrated. Thus, the management system does not function efficiently.

3-4 Conclusion

As a result of updating over 80% of the existing old equipment and purchasing new equipment, the quality of the educational setting improved. The inspection work contributes to every aspect of agriculture-based industry in Pakistan. As a result of the improved environmental setting, stronger research and analysis and rise in the number of students in the doctoral program, the number of students receiving doctoral degrees at UFA has increased dramatically in the last five years, indicating the project’s contribution to the education of skilled personnel. Although there were no problems in budget allocation, since the budget doesn’t allocate specific amounts for equipment repairs and maintenance, funds are diverted from other expenses, but cannot always be appropriated.

3-5 Recommendations

(1) UAF should consider itemizing the budget so that repair and maintenance costs can always be covered.

(2) They should also consider adopting a system for centralized management of equipment so that repairs and spare part procurement can be organized more efficiently.

3-6 Lessons Learned

N/A

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A

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