In a sign of the strength and scope of Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, seven administrators and faculty members from universities in Ethiopia are on the sprawling South Plains campus this week (July 16-18) to see, first-hand, an agricultural science program that's doing it right.

Known for its expertise in food safety, meat sciences, improving the production of various crops and educating future agricultural experts and communicators, CASNR leaders welcomed the visitors who are part of a national tour led by the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

"Global agriculture is an aspect of the mission of CASNR critical for our future," said Steven Fraze, interim dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. "Activities such as the international affairs visit with the seven deans and faculty from various universities in Ethiopia allows for networking and collaboration efforts for future research, education and service for the benefit of all."

While visiting CASNR, the Ethiopian visitors took tours of the college's Burnett Center-New Deal Farm, research facilities in Tech's Animal & Food Sciences building; Tech's Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute, and the Bayer Cotton Breeding and Trait Development Station. In addition, they received a program review from CASNR's department chairs.

The International Visitor Leadership Program builds relationships with countries around the world by connecting emerging foreign leaders with rising leaders in the U.S. through short-term exchange program visits. Foreign visitors meet with their U.S. counterparts, visit both public and private sector organizations related to their fields of expertise and participate in cultural and social activities.

Texas Tech is one of three universities in the United States, along with Purdue University and the University of California-Davis, which the Ethiopian delegation will visit during its U.S. tour. During their visit the scholars will explore how American universities develop strategic plans for international collaborations in the areas of agriculture and food safety and provide an overview of strategies for initiating, managing and sustaining those partnerships.

In addition, they'll examine the methods employed by U.S. agricultural colleges to increase their capacity for food safety and agricultural research and will study the best practices for integrating national policies with research objectives and food safety trends, while studying the role of American land-grant universities in shaping academic and practical curriculum to meet stakeholder needs.

The seven Ethiopian scholars visiting Tech include:
• Ambo University - Edo Beressa Bedasso, vice dean, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences
• Bahir Dar University - Dessalegn Molla Ketema, assistant professor of rural development, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
• Haramaya University - Kibebew Kibret Tsehai, dean, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
• Hawassa University - Tarekegn Yoseph Samago, dean, College of Agriculture
• Jimma University - Adugna Eneyew Bekelle, dean, College of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine,
• Mekelle University - Kidane Giday Gebremedhin, dean, College of Dryland Agriculture & Natural Resources
• University of Gondar - Asmamaw Abtew, assistant professor, Department of Natural Resources Management & Coordinator of Climate Change Research Centre

"Agriculture is one of Ethiopia's national development priorities, and CASNR's programs are a perfect complement to Ethiopia's pursuits," said Ambassador Tibor Nagy, vice provost for Tech's Office of International Affairs.

Additional Reporting by George Watson

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

0714NM17 / For a complete version of the Texas Tech University Communications & Marketing story, click here