UNIVERSITY of BELIZE CENTRAL FARM CAMPUS (UBCF) BELIZE
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C-EFE PROGRAM- INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTION’S PROFILE AND TERMS OF REFERENCE UNIVERSITY of BELIZE CENTRAL FARM CAMPUS (UBCF) BELIZE - AGRICULTURE AUGUST 2012 REF: CAR-04 Institutional Profile Institutional Mandate UBCF. The Central Farm Campus of the University of Belize (UBCF) is home to the agriculture program of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FST) which currently offers a two- year Associates Degree in General Agriculture. The institution has a rich history of agriculture training in Belize dating back to 1953, some five years after the inception of the first formal agriculture education program at the Lynam Agriculture College in the Stann Creek District of southern Belize. At Lynam, individuals were trained to meet the demand for agricultural field demonstrators, later called extension workers, for the colonial public service. Higher level technical positions in agriculture were filled by expatriates. In 1953 the scope of agriculture training was expanded, with the establishment of Central Farm Training School, to cater to the need for in-service training of demonstrators, and workshops and seminars for farmers. Lynam Agriculture College was closed in 1971 and the physical resources converted to a prison. The school at Central Farm continued its program of short course delivery up to 1977 when it was converted to the Belize School of Agriculture (BSA) with an expanded mandate to include training of agricultural extension workers and technicians for the public service. During the period 1977-1981, BSA offered a one-year certificate in general agriculture, expanded in 1981 to an optional second year for a diploma in general agriculture. In 1983 the certificate program was discontinued and the entire curriculum upgraded to a two year diploma program. In 1986, BSA underwent a name transformation to Belize College of Agriculture (BCA) and three years later, in 1989, the curriculum was again upgraded and the college offered the Associate Degree in Applied Agriculture Science. The mission continued to address public sector agriculture training needs, extension services through workshops, seminars for farmers, and limited research and development. The college was amalgamated with other tertiary level institutions to form the University of Belize (UB) in 2000 and assumed the expanded role of Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR). The next few years witnessed a dramatic decrease in enrolment by an average of 50%, coupled with an alarming attrition rate which reached 40% per year amidst an atmosphere of challenges arising from organizational shortcomings of the new University. It was not surprising that in the restructuring exercise of 2003, FANR was downgraded to its current status of a department within the Faculty of Science and Technology (SERRANO, 2004). CAR-04_Belize_UBCF_Agriculture Page 1 The new department, which lacked clarity of purpose, continued on its downward spiral until its doors were eventually closed by 2006, disrupting the supply of trained human resources for the agriculture sector. UBCF was reopened in August 2008 with the goal of delivering a much publicized program in Sustainable Agriculture. Again the program was severely resource deficient and lacked a clear road map for achieving the stated goals. By 2009 however, a strategic plan (University of Belize, 2009) was developed from which a clearer course for UBCF was charted. Goals were expanded to include the transformation of UBCF into an income generating centre based on agriculture which would not only generate much needed revenue for program delivery and sustainability but would create a productive work place environment for training students. Strategic plan Elements. Vision. The transformation of UBCF into the premier Agriculture Training and Certification institute in Belize with recognition in the Caribbean and Central America as a center for Training, Research, and Development in Sustainable Agriculture. Mission. The Central Farm department of the Faculty of Science and Technology houses the University of Belize’s integrated program in agriculture that plans, delivers and evaluates its agricultural program of studies, agriculture-based extension services and applied research contributing to Belize’s food security in a sustainable manner. The department offers a high quality program in applied agriculture to produce graduates with current and relevant skills and competencies as farmers, agro-business entrepreneurs, technicians or professionals in agro-industry. Production and extension services include the production of improved genetic stock, planting material, technical and research services and commercial products, both primary and processed for agro- industry in a manner that students, faculty and technical support staff continuously learn by studying and working in the farm as a living laboratory. CAR-04_Belize_UBCF_Agriculture Page 2 Road map (2009-2015). The road map was developed from selected strategic elements of University’s strategic plan (Table 1) and was subdivided into two three year time periods starting in 2009 and ending in 2015. The first phase addresses the infrastructure and the development of income generating agricultural activities while organizing the Associates degree both in structure and content. The second phase would expand the curriculum to include a Baccalaureate degree in Applied Agriculture and continue to address the important issues of quality, relevance, and marketing. Phase I (2009-2012). Significant progress has been made in infrastructure development and enhancement and the development of income generating farm activities. The farm now meets that part of its recurrent expenditure excluding personal emoluments from income generated from grain, starches, vegetables, pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry, and processed products, all of which are poised to expand in the new phase. Significant revenues generated have been reinvested in infrastructure which includes housing and facilities for staff, animal housing, a slaughter house, two new classrooms, a gymnasium, four laboratories, namely a soils lab to be also used for chemistry, a biology lab, a food processing lab, and a computer lab. A guest house was constructed and four dormitories were renovated to enhance the capacity for student accommodation on campus to 40; all significantly increasing rental income. While infrastructure development would continue in Phase II, emphasis on new structures would shift to grain and meat processing, and a farmers’ training centre. The Government of Belize (GOB), the European Union (EU) and UB have invested in an in vitro plant factory on the campus. This facility will lend significant support to industry especially, sugarcane, bananas, and citrus, train students, provide opportunities for research, and contribute to farm income, all within the next year. Phase II (2012-2015). Further development of the current Associates Degree curriculum with emphasis on relevance and quality, and articulation to a Bachelor level degree is scheduled for Phase II, with full development and significant implementation to be completed by 2015. It is in this context that the C-EFE project, with its focus on Agriculture for Belize as requested by the Ministry of Education (MoE), is both timely and relevant. The project would address relevance through the planned realignment and restructuring of education at UBCF with the demands of the agricultural sector/industry. Students would be provided with a sound theoretical background coupled with appropriate skills and attitude development commensurate with the demands and standards of industry. Entry CAR-04_Belize_UBCF_Agriculture Page 3 requirements would move beyond the traditional academic scores and certificates. They would be expanded to include vocational scores and qualifications; with mechanisms for assessing and offering credits to prior learners for competencies gained from workforce experiences. A Baccalaureate degree in Applied Agriculture when developed would offer both the degree and the level IV CVQ certificate for those desirous of further training. This model development exercise, when implemented, would provide a seamless education system for Applied Agriculture with both traditional and vocational certificates from CVQ Levels 1-4 with well defined entry/exit points creating a lifelong system of learning. After evaluation, it would be made available for replication throughout the Belizean Education system. Table 1. Road map for the development of UBCF. Period Objectives Strategic Elements. Comments. 7.2. Strengthen safety measures designed to ensure wellbeing of users. 7.4. Create an aesthetically pleasing environment 2.10. Adequate infrastructure to promote Infrastructure Significant progress teaching and learning Development effectiveness. has been made in 4.3. Improve and expand both infrastructure Phase I availability of student and business housing. development and the (2009-2012) 9.10. Engage in private department is on a sector and alumni dev. path of financial Activities for soliciting independence. donations. 9.1. Develop and enforce business plans for all profit Business Centers. development. 9.9. Maximize the use of facilities, land, and programs for the potential of generating income. 2.5. Assessment of new and existing academic While scheduled for programs in relation to Phase II, some Phase II Curriculum Quality, Relevance, and elements, for (2012-2015) development Sustainability. example 2.4 and 6.1, 2.4. Improve instruction. have started in Phase I.