Selected West African agricultural students' view of their United States graduate training and education in light of their expected home country agricultural jobs and conditions
Maphinda-Lebbie, Tamba
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/23489
Description
Title
Selected West African agricultural students' view of their United States graduate training and education in light of their expected home country agricultural jobs and conditions
Author(s)
Maphinda-Lebbie, Tamba
Issue Date
1989
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Cox, C. Benjamin
Department of Study
Education, Agricultural
Discipline
Education, Agricultural
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Agricultural
Language
eng
Abstract
Agriculture in West Africa is one of the most important economic activities and a major source of national income. For the past few decades, agricultural production has declined considerably, resulting in poorer economy and serious food shortages.
To improve their agriculture, West Africans trained nationals at home and abroad in modern production techniques. Many nationals were sent to United States universities for training because West Africans were impressed with the prosperity of United States agriculture and viewed United States education as a solution. But as the number of trained agriculturalists increased in West Africa, agricultural conditions, in general, worsened.
This study was designed to have selected students in some United States universities examine their training in light of their expected home agricultural jobs and conditions. Specific items of skills the students needed were identified in order to be productive workers at home. From general literature and responses of experts at the University of Illinois and in West Africa, 31 items were listed. A questionnaire was designed to measure the progress of selected West African agricultural students in the acquisition of the 31 skills identified. The students were currently studying in a number of United States universities. Their progress was described as perceived student progress. Some factors which some experts said influence student progress were also examined.
The results of the study indicate that most students were quite happy with their United States training. Some said it was relevant to their home jobs and were pleased with their course work, thesis, and advisement. Others said the international exposure, campus life, and the way their programs prepared them for life were highly rewarding. However, some students suggested a need for improvement in the areas of student selection, course work, practical work experience, and the number of women trained. Results indicate that prior education was by far the most important factor in agricultural graduate work.
For a number of reasons, many trained West Africans want to go home but did not want to return to field work; they would rather assume positions in the universities and government as lecturers, administrators, and other high-ranking positions.
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