Development objective (Vision 2020)

The Northern Agricultural and Forestry College (NAFC) is acknowledged by public and private partners as a centre of excellence in sustainable upland farming systems, offering skills-based and market- oriented education, training and services, thus contributing to poverty reduction, food security and income generation in the Northern Provinces of Laos.

Project objective (Mission for 2008-2011)

The NAFC, as a well managed centre for skills-based education and training in upland farming systems, offers an attractive study and working environment for students and teachers (taking into account gender and ethnic groups), is linked to a number of private and public partners, and its graduates are in demand for their theoretical and practical skills in the labour market.

Project intended outcomes

Outcome 1 – Improved student selection and motivation

Highly motivated students from Northern provinces of Laos, with a growing number of women and students originating from ethnic groups, enroll in the college and contribute to its reputation in the labor market, through their theoretical, practical, technical, managerial and social skills.

Outcome 2 – Better trained teachers (technical and didactic skills)

Highly qualified and motivated teachers compose a pool of experts in upland farming systems of Laos, regularly upgrade their training in technical, teaching, managerial and social skills, transfer their knowledge and skills to their students and develop specific skills in enterprise development, service and applied research.

Outcome 3 – Introduction of Skills-based Curriculum and student-centered teaching

The curriculum is skills based, oriented towards the needs of the market, and teaching is student centered; the curriculum has a good balance between theory, applied theory and practice, includes basics, common skills, as well as specialized skills in private business development, upland crop production systems and upland animal production systems. The program for on-the-job training and further education is based on the same principles.

Outcome 4 – Building up of a national, regional and international Partner Network

The NAFC links up with a network of national, regional and international partners engaged in (upland) farming systems with partners from the public and private sectors, in the fields of applied research, extension, education, teachers’ training, services, practical training of students, and job opportunities. These partnerships include close links with other similar colleges under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Outcome 5 – Improved Infrastructure and Equipment

The infrastructure of the NAFC is functional and attractive for students and teachers, allows optimized teaching and learning in theory, applied theory and practice, offers a broad and modern access to information, while remaining slim and manageable.

Outcome 6 – Modern Management practices introduced

The NAFC is managed according to modern management practices, with transparent accounting system, involvement of students and staff in key management issues, and is governed by aboard of trustees that guide the college in its strategic choices.