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News 2010
Exchange visit of Thai Universities Click for more photos On Friday 17th December 2010 Deans, Vice-deans and representatives of 15 different Universities from all over of Thailand visited the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College. Mr. Thongsamouth Phoummasone, Deputy Director of the college welcomed the over 40 participants and presented an overview on the college’s situation, developments and problems. All the participants introduced the focus of their respective university and future collaboration and cooperation with the NAFC was discussed. Revolving Fund for income generating activities Click for more photos On 15th December 2010, a revolving fund scheme was launched to support students conducting income generation activities. The first beneficiaries are the students of the 1st year of Higher Diploma Course started in the academic year 2010 – 2011. Mr. Sisouk Vilabouth, Head of Agribusiness Division handed over the first funds to students. The revolving fund was established by the NAFC with support from the SURAFCO project. In a previous meeting earlier this month Mr Sisouk explained and discussed the rules and regulation of the fund. Lesson learnt from Study Tour to Vientiane Click for more photos Dr. Outhai Soukkhy, Deputy Director of Northern Agriculture and Forestry College, organized a meeting on 8th December 2010 to summarize and share the lessons learnt from a study tour to different agriculture and extension farms in Vientiane. All agronomy teachers and the leadership of the college joining the meeting appreciate the feedback and discussed further collaboration with the centers, projects and farmers visited. Students donate blood to Red Cross Click for more photos On Tuesday 30th November 2010 the Red Cross Center of Luang Prabang province organized a blood donation at the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College. 48 students from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of the college donated their blood help increasing the bloodstock of the provincial hospital. Exams for Driving License Click for more photos On 27th of November 2010 the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College organized an exam for getting driving license A and B class for use of motorbike and car. Students, teachers, other government staff and private people from all over Luang Prabang Province participated in the event. Practical term at Hoay Khot Research Center successfully completed Click for more photos The 10 final students of the 19th batch, who performed their practical term at the Northern Agriculture and Forestry Research Center at Hoay Khot, Xieng Nguen District in Luang Prabang Province received their graduation certificate on 26th November 2010. The cooperation with the research center is already established for many years and students perform their practical term along the research season, thus graduate some month later than the official term. 8th Workshop on Curriculum Development Click for more photos The 8th Curriculum Development Workshop took place during 12th and 18th November. This workshop focused on a first on-the-job coaching through observations of the teachers. Lesson observation in all subjects of the new high-level curriculum took place, using video and special developed observation sheets. Results have been discussed with all teachers to improve the teaching methodology and content. Evaluation of Rice production in Thadkham village Click for more photos On 3rd November 2010 the third year students of the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College in the Major of Agronomy conducted an assessment of the rice-production in Ban Thadkham Luang Prabang District. This cooperation with the farmers helped the village to evaluate their rice production and assess the benefit they achieved. New high diploma curricula launched Click for more photos The new high diploma curricula in three majors agronomy, livestock and agro-business have been launched for the academic year 2010-2011. 82 Students, including 11 women, enroll during this first batch of the adjusted curricula with a focus on student centered learning. The 120 credit majors will allow the students to gain improved knowledge and skills for working in the field of upland agriculture. 2nd Steering Commity Meeting on 14th October Click for more photos The second Steering Committee Meeting of SURAFCO took place on 14th October 2010. The focus of this Steering Committee meeting was to discuss the implementation from January to September 2010 and related financial utilization, to agree on the operational plan for the academic year 2010 – 2011 and the financial proposal for 2011. National teachers day Click for more photos On 7th October 2010 the whole country celebrated the National Teachers” Day. The Northern Agriculture and Forestry College organized a big official celebration, including related sports and cultural events for students, staffs, teachers and supporters. Video on NAFC released Click for more photos With the support of a media student from the Humboldt University in Berlin the outreach unit of the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College produced an information video on the college. The video informs about the vision of the college, the new high diploma curriculum and the job opportunities for graduates. First Aid Training Click for more photos Between 17th and 20th August a First Aid training took place at the NAFC. 20 teachers have attended the training. They received theoretical introduction and a lot of practical training to be able to provide first-hand help in case of accidents. NAFC also established emergency cases and identified responsible persons for medical support at the college. Graduation Ceremony Click for more photos On 13th August 2010 the graduation ceremony for the third year students took place. This is the NAFC’s 19th batch of graduates, amounting to 101 students, including 41 women, for this year. 7th Workshop on Teaching MethodologyFrom 2nd to 6th August 2010 a further workshop related to curriculum development took place. A bit different to the other workshops this training focused on improving the teaching methodology. Different teaching methods have been introduced and elaborated for appropriate subjects. Microteaching on lectures and group work took place and was analyzed using video. Furthermore, options how to conduct exams and assignments were introduced and tested during role-plays. More detailed information on the workshop and the specific activities can be assessed in the minutes of the workshops.
Library training and launching of a digital library systemDuring 21st and 28th July 2010 the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College organized a training course to improve the library system and its management. The training focused on the use of the DDC inventory system and the introduction of a new electronic library inventory, called NALIS – the Northern Agriculture and forestry college Library Inventory System. All teachers and staff responsible for library, IT and communication joined the training. The main purpose of the training was
The training was conducted with support of trainers from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institution.
Training course on MicrofinanceBetween 20th and 24th July 2010, the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College organized a training course on microfinance, focusing on saving and credit account establishment for smallholders. The purpose of the training was to introduce the basics of microfinance and strengthen skills related to the establishment of credit schemes. The training focused on teachers involved in practical teaching and agricultural production. The content developed will also be used in the microfinance module.
National Conservation Wild Life Day Ceremony on 13 July 2010On the occasion of National Conservation Wild Life Day on 13 July 2010, the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College organized a fish release fish into the nearby rivers. The objective of this day is two fold:
The fish releasing ceremony was attended by honorable guests from the surrounding provincial and district agriculture and forestry offices, private sector, all the teachers and students and led by Dr. Outhai Soukkhy, the Deputy Director of the college. In total 22,000 fingerlings have been released, including 3,000 Jawa Carps, 1.000 Tilapia, 6.000 Rohu Carps and 12.000 Marigal Carps. 12.000 fingerlings were released into the Nong Samkha Pond, 5.000 into the Namxuang River and 5.000 into the Mekong.
6th Workshop on Curriculum DevelopmentThe 6th workshop on curriculum development took place from 10th to 18th June 2010. This workshop focused on revising the detailed module plan and elaborating the specific teaching content of all first-year-modules, involving all teachers working in theatrical groups. 1.) To verify and finalize the detailed module planning As a major result, most of the curriculum content for the first months is ready for teaching and the concepts for farm practice and income generation are outlined.
Stone laying ceremony On 22 May 2010 the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) and the SURAFCO project organized the official stone-laying ceremony for the first construction phase to implement the college’s infrastructure master plan. High-ranking representatives from the Lao, the Swiss and the provincial government were placing stones blessed with a lot of good wishes, namely Mr. Sithaheng Rasphone, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Saysamone Khomtavong, Vice Governor of Luang Prabang Province and Dr. Barbara Boeni, Deputy Country Director, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in the Mekong Region. The ceremony was completed with tree planting surrounding the new buildings and a BASI ceremony. The finalization of the school building, the laboratory, two dormitories and a catering building is expected by end of February 2011. The setting up of additional teaching, dining and lodging infrastructure will be complemented with establishment of new farms for the practical teaching. Those entire infrastructure improvements - interlinked with the development of a new skills-based curriculum, a modern management system and related capacity building - will contribute to set up the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College to be become the center of excellence for upland agricultural development able to release graduates in high demand by the labor market. Please read the related speech (PDF) for more information.
Partnership with Xao BanA Public Private Partnership has been established between the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) and XAO BAN group, an independent, self-supporting cooperative group producing home-made yoghurt, goat cheese, fresh fruit juices, organic vegetables and other natural products. The details of the partnership and cooperation possibilities have been discussed during a workshop at NAFC on 10th and 11th May 2010. Cooperation will focus on improving NAFC’s income generating activities, goat raising, vegetable and fruit tree farm development as well as the establishment of a food-processing unit. Information on Xao Ban can be assessed at the Xao Ban website.
Strengthen links with MAEJO University in Chiang Mai, ThailandFrom 25th to 28th April the leading representatives from the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) went on an exchange visit to the MAEJO University in Chiang Mai. NAFC and MAEJO have a long-standing cooperation and signed a related MoU already in 2005. This visit was used to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions with the focus on educational, academic, research and cultural exchange. The 3-days program allowed the NAFC team to learn about Maejo’s teaching and curriculum, especially related to issues of food processing, organic farming and farm development. Practical farm facilities in livestock, fishery and plant production provided useful insights for the NAFC farm development. Various upgrading training programs has been discussed. The extension of the MoU will be signed later in the year once the new MAEJO Dean is appointed.
Cooperation with Pha Tad Ke Botanical gardenOn April 23rd, 2010 a first official meeting with representatives of the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden (PTK) took place to discuss further collaborations and formalize the existing cooperation. Areas of collaborations are seen in creating opportunity for students’ practical term and graduates’ employment, students’ scholarships, horticulture upgrading training for teachers and students, regular information and material exchange and NAFC providing research certain ornamental plants for the botanical garden. The meeting involved experts from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh who have a long-term commitment with PTK. Following the meeting at NAFC related teachers had the opportunity to visit the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden in Chomped District and assist in a training on Fern Propagation.
Swiss delegation visits NAFCOn 18th March 2010 a delegation of high-ranking representatives from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and His Excellency, the Swiss Ambassador to Laos, based in Bangkok visited the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College. The delegation assessed the situation in the college and the process of the SURAFCO project.
5th Workshop on Curriculum Development on inclusivenessFrom 15th to 17th March 2010 the 5th workshop on curriculum development took place in the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College with the focus on gender and inclusiveness. The workshop was conducted with the support of the Gender and Development Group who has longstanding experiences in gender awareness and related strategy and material development. Please read the minutes of workshop for more details.
NAFC receives high-diploma statusOn March 12th, 2010 the Ministry of Education acknowledged a request by the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College to lift its status from a medium to a high-level diploma status with the degree MAF. Acknowledgement of NAFC high - diploma status (PDF - 235 KB) Study tour to Rajamangala University of Technology Isan in Kalasin, ThailandFrom 24th to 27th a team of representatives and teachers from the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) went on an exchange visit to the Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (RMUTI) in Kalsin. Warmly welcomed by the RMUTI leading present and past representatives the participants had the opportunity to visit all different departments of the University to gain insights on technical and management operations. Of special interest were the different farm units, which provided a lot of new ideas to the teachers for improving the practical teaching and teaching facilities at the NAFC. Beside the formal visit a sport competition in petanque was organized between teams from Lao agriculture and forestry colleges in Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Vientiane, Dongkhamsang, NAFC and the host university. During the big yearly cultural festival of the Kalasin province the winner of the competition have been honored. For more information on RMUTI please check their website under www.ksc.rmuti.ac.th.
4th Workshop on Curriculum DevelopmentFrom 3rd to 5th February 2010 the 4th workshop on curriculum development took place in the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College. The series of workshops is set up to develop the new skills-based curriculum for reforming agricultural college education in Laos. Please read the minutes of workshop for more details.   1st Steering Committee Meeting of SURAFCOOn 29th of January 2010 the first Steering Committee (SC) Meeting of SURAFCO took place at the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College. The SC consists of leading representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the financing Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the implementing agency Helvetas, the National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES), the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), the provincial agriculture and forestry office (PAFO), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC). For more information read the inception report in English or Lao as well as the minutes of meeting.    Lao-Agric-College website onlineWe are pleased to announce, that the Lao-Agric-College website is now online. Please browse the website and learn more about the Lao government's policy related to develop the agricultural sector. Within the close future we will complete the contents and also provide the whole website in Lao language.
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