A visit and meeting of Australian Council for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project delegates at TUAF

Australian Council for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project delegates led by Dr. Julian Prior, Associate Professor of University of New England (UNE), Australia, had a visit and a meeting with TUAF on 30 May 2017.

Australian Council for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project (focusing on smallholder livelihoods, agricultural extension, and institutional capacity) led by Dr. Julian Prior, Associate Professor of University of New England (UNE), Australia, had a visit and a meeting with TUAF on 30 May 2017.

The representatives of TUAF: Dr Nguyen Huu Tho, Director of Office of Research and International Affairs; Dr Pham Bang Phuong, Vice Director of Office of Research and International Affairs; Dr. Duong Van Son, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Economics and Rural Development; and Dr. Duong Van Thao, Director of International Programs Office.

ACIAR delegates consisted of 2 Australian professors from UNE: Dr Julian Prior, Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Rural Science and Dr Michelle Carnegie, Research Fellow, School of Environmental and Rural Science; and 6 senior government officials from Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI): Mr. Khin Maung Win, Regional Extension Director, Department of Agriculture, MOALI; Dr. San San Yi, Deputy Director (Extension Division), Department of Agriculture, MOALI; Ms. Myint Myint Aye, Assistant Director (Extension Division), Department of Agriculture, MOALI; Mr Naing Kyi Win, Director General, Department of Agricultural Research, MOALI; Ms Khaing Khaing Htwe, Research Officer, Department of Agricultural Research, MOALI; Mr Pau Sian Kam, Assistant Research Officer, Department of Agricultural Research, MOALI.

After sharing some information about TUAF and ACIAR project. TUAF and ACIAR delegates discussed the main objectives of the meeting:

1. to understand how TUAF connects to local communities, and other institutions such as private sector, NGOs and government in their teaching/training, research and development work;

2. to learn about agricultural research and extension activities of TUAF – especially lessons learned of what has gone well or not so well, from both biophysical and social perspectives;

3. to continue to forge linkages between TUAF and UNE and

4. to develop future collaborations between researchers.

Photos at the meeting.