April 28, 2005

Purdue ag economist to advise Afghan Ministry of Higher Ed

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University professor Kevin McNamara will travel to Afghanistan on May 13 for a six-month stint as adviser to the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education and Kabul University.

McNamara, a professor of agricultural economics, has advised Kabul University officials in recent years as part of an agreement between their Ministry of Higher Education and Kabul and Purdue universities. He will help Afghan officials redesign agriculture curriculum, acquire educational resources and arrange for faculty training. This recent project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

"Very little money in Afghanistan has been channeled to higher education - for agriculture or other disciplines," McNamara said. "As the country struggles to rebuild its institutions, agricultural education and higher education are critical to both the Afghan economy and development of the country's future leaders. The aid provided by the USDA supplies initial funding to rebuild institutions that support their agriculture industry."

As part of this effort, former USDA deputy secretary Jim Moseley has been in Afghanistan advising that country's Ministry of Agriculture.

Reporters wanting to speak with McNamara before he leaves can reach him at (765) 494-4236, mcnamara@purdue.edu. If you need further assistance, contact Beth Forbes, Purdue Agricultural Communication news and public affairs coordinator, at (765) 494-2722, forbes@purdue.edu.

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

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