Master Class in Research Management in Agriculture

Held at the Hyde Park Plaza Suites, Sydney

October 7th to October 20th 2001

Report

Left to Right. Back Row: Neil Inall, Bashir A. Jama, Sumardi Suriatna, Amadou Ibra Niang, Jim McWilliam, Robin Jessop, Djafar Baco, Bruce Holloway
Middle Row: Ian Metcalfe, M. Sabran, Rustico G. David, Muhammad Zain Kanro, Mashur, Edilberto Diaz Redoña, Zainal Lamid
Front Row: Agus Muharam, Suwarso, Trip Alihamsyah, Danu Ismadi Saderi, Seiful Bachrein, Lealyn Abellanosa-Ramos, Suyamto,
Bambang Sudaryanto, Freddie R. Kwesiga, Djamaludin Sahari

The organisation and management of the class was a joint effort between the Crawford Fund and the Asia Centre at the University of New England. The course was attended by 20 senior agricultural scientists, all directors of regional research institutes from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mali, Kenya and Zimbabwe in Africa.

This was the first course in research management to be undertaken by the Master Class Program in the Crawford Fund. It was developed by Professor Brian Stoddart, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, UNE, following approaches from developing countries, and in particular an initial approach by the Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (AARD), Indonesia. AARD also approached The Crawford Fund and, following discussions between Professor Bruce Holloway and Professor Stoddart, a Master Class in Research Management in Agriculture draft program was drawn up and that was essentially the program delivered in Sydney in October this year. Sponsorship of the Master Class came principally from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in linkage with AARD Indonesia, and these organisations were also instrumental in the genesis of the Master Class. Additional sponsorship for the Filipino participants came from Rotary International (Jean and Royce Abbey Fund) and for African participants from the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF).

The important objective of the course was to communicate to the participants the major changes and developments that have occurred in the practice and management of strategic and applied research. The most significant of these has been the change from the earlier research driven, disciplinary approach, to a new research paradigm, involving a client driven, output orientated, systems approach, requiring multidisciplinary research teams and opportunities for collaboration.

The elements involved in this change constituted the broad theme that ran through the program. This was, that agricultural research is like any business. The first step is to explore the potential of the market, then develop a plan in collaboration with the stakeholders. This sets out the key priorities and strategies required to achieve the desired outputs. Finally, when the objectives of the research have been achieved, there is a need to transfer the technology and have it adopted and to have a positive outcome for the end-users.

The principles and practices embodied in these areas of research management were discussed in the more formal presentations and were further illustrated in case studies of actual programs and projects undertaken to develop new technology and its delivery to stakeholders. In addition, these concepts were also explored in the discussion sessions in relation to opportunities and problems in their adoption in the participants own research environment. The agricultural CRC's provided excellent examples of all aspects of good research management. The course also included a weekend excursion to CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products, Canberra.

Resource Personnel came principally from the University of New England but also included specialists from other universities and high-level executive managers from national and international agricultural organisations.

Master Class certificates were presented to participants by the Hon John Kerin AM at the formal class dinner on 18 October, 2001.

To see some pictures taken during the Master Class please follow the links in the program page.

The coordinators for the Master Class, A/Professor Ian Metcalfe and Professor Bruce Holloway would like to thank all individuals and organisations (see acknowledgements) that made this first class such a success.

*A second Master Class in Research Management in Agriculture is planned for 1-14 September, 2002.