Noragric Board meeting by e-mail To:

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Noragric Board meeting by e-mail

To: Ruth Haug, Faye Benedict, Jens Aune, Cary Fowler, Ingunn Andersen, Gary Fry, Ina Østensvig, Progress Nyanga

CC: Espen Sjaastad, Nadarajah Shanmugaratnam, Knut Nustad, Sidsel Gulbrandsen, Karsten Jørgensen, Chimbidzani Leutlwetse, Silje Lunden Jenssen, Anne Kiøsterud

Date/Time: April 19^th, 2005 until May 4^th, 2005, 0900h Place: - by e-mail

Members are asked to answer on items by e-mail by May 4^th, 2005, 0900h.

It is enough to answer by, f.e. :

“Item 06/05 I agree”

or

“Item 06/05 I disagree”.

If a member of Noragric board does not accept the method of this

“meeting” or has any questions, please, contact NB’s secretary as soon as possible. These topics are time urgent and can therefore NOT wait untill the next scheduled NB meeting.

If NB’s secretary receives no answer by May 2^nd, 2005 he will contact the substitutes.

Agenda

06/05 Nomination Committee for Noragric board nomination 07/05 Sabbatical for Jens Aune

08/05 Sabbatical for Trygve Berg

Enclosure:

1. 06_05 Nomination Committee.pdf 2. 07_05 Sabbat Jens Aune.pdf

3. 07_05 Sabbat Jens Aune Attch application.pdf 4. 08_05 Sabbat Trygve Berg.pdf

5. 08_05 Sabbat Trygve Berg Attch application.pdf Ås, April 18^th, 2005

Klaus Jarstad

Noragric board secretary

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Noragric Board item nr/Noragric styresak nr.: 06/05

Responsible/Ansvarlig: Klaus Jarstad

Desk officer/saksbehandler: Klaus Jarstad

Appointment of Nomination committee for Noargic board nomination election

According to the “UMB personal handbook” 2.2.15 para 5.2 Noragric board has to appoint a Nomination committee for the nomination elections for the Noragric board.

This committee has to represent the different election-groups (permanent scientific, temporary scientific and technical/administrative staff) and has to be gendr-balanced.

Proposal/Forslag:

Noragric board nominates as members of the nomination committee the following:

1. Ingrid Nyborg, permanent scientific staff 2. Ian Bryceson, permanent scientific staff 3. Eirin Hongslo, temporary scientific staff 4. Peter Bjørn Nielsen, administrative staff

This composition fulfils the demands for this committee.

Ås, April 14th, 2005

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Responsible/Ansvarlig: Klaus Jarstad, kontorsjef Desk officer/saksbehandler: Klaus Jarstad, kontorsjef

Application for sabbatical by Jens Aune

Jens Aune sent an application for a sabbatical starting July 15^th, 2005 (see attached document “07_05 Sabbat Jens Aune Attch application.pdf”).

According to the “UMB personal handbook” 2.2.7 para 4 Noragric board has to decide on application of sabbaticals.

Basis of the decision shall be:

- How are the applicant’s responsibilities taken care of during the sabbatical;

- Earlier sabbaticals and possible interruptions of employment;

- Planned professional work and its relation to UMB’s strategic plan within research, implementation and financing;

- Applicant’s professional production

- Applicant’s teaching, including supervision of PhD- and Master-students - Applicant’s administrative work within the department

- Need for qualification for women (source: UMB personal handbook 2.2.7 para 4)

Jens Aune fulfils the technical/administrative demands for the sabbatical in accordance with

“UMB personal handbook” 2.2.7 para. 2. “Hvem kan søke” (“Who can apply”).

Documents:

Application for sabbatical by Jens Aune, March 28^th, 2005 07_05 Sabbat Jens Aune Attch application.pdf

Proposal/Forslag:

Noragric board approves Jens Aune’s sabbatical in accordance with UMB personal handbook 2.2.7 para 4.

Any financial support for this sabbatical is to be decided by Noragric board on its meeting on June 8^th, 2005.

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Responsible/Ansvarlig: Klaus Jarstad, kontorsjef Desk officer/saksbehandler: Klaus Jarstad, kontorsjef

Application for sabbatical by Trygve Berg

Trygve Berg sent an application for a sabbatical starting august 2006 (see attached document “08_05 Sabbat Trygve Berg Attch application.pdf”).

According to the “UMB personal handbook” 2.2.7 para 4 Noragric board has to decide on application of sabbaticals.

Basis of the decision shall be:

- How are the applicant’s responsibilities taken care of during the sabbatical;

- Earlier sabbaticals and possible interruptions of employment;

- Planned professional work and its relation to UMB’s strategic plan within research, implementation and financing;

- Applicant’s professional production

- Applicant’s teaching, including supervision of PhD- and Master-students - Applicant’s administrative work within the department

- Need for qualification for women (source: UMB personal handbook 2.2.7 para 4)

Trygve Berg fulfils the technical/administrative demands for the sabbatical in accordance with

“UMB personal handbook” 2.2.7 para. 2. “Hvem kan søke” (“Who can apply”).

Documents:

Application for sabbatical by Trygve Berg, March 7^th, 2005 08_05 Sabbat Trygve Berg Attch application.pdf

Proposal/Forslag:

Noargric board approves Trygve Berg’s sabbatical in accordance with UMB personal handbook 2.2.7 para 4.

Any financial support for this sabbatical is to be decided by Noragric board on its meeting on June 8^th, 2005.

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Responsible/Ansvarlig: Noragric board

Desk officer/saksbehandler: Klaus Jarstad, kontorsjef

Delegation of decision of accepting or rejecting student’s applications for extension of master thesis deadline

According to national masters regulations, the Noragric Board (NB) is responsible for accepting or rejecting student applications for extension of the master thesis deadline. The deadline for applications was April 15, the deadline for handing in the thesis is May 15, while the next scheduled NB meeting is June 8.

In order to avoid a special meeting of NB for this purpose only, the Noragric administration suggests that NB delegates this authority to the Head of Department.

Proposal/Forslag

Decision on extension of master thesis deadline is delegated to Noragric’s Head of Department for 2005.

Ås, 20.04.2005

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Noragric Board item nr/Noragric styresak nr.: 10/05 Responsible/Ansvarlig:

Desk officer/saksbehandler: Faye Benedict

Cancellation of the Nepal field course option in fall 2005

The political situation in Nepal gives grounds for concern about the students’ safety and their opportunities for traveling in the field during the EDS385 field course (Rural Development and Project Management), normally offered in Nepal in fall semester. It is difficult to make a

reliable assessment of the real situation as opinions differ among those who know Nepal well, as to the actual impact the political situation would have on students’ safety and field work.

Of the students eligible to choose the Nepal field course, only 3 indicated interest in this option. Regardless of the validity of the reasons for their preferences, there can be little doubt that a field course with only 3 participants is not viable. The Head of Education has therefore informed regretfully our partners at Tribhuvan University of the preliminary decision not to offer the field course in Nepal in 2005-06. The decision should now be formalized by the Noragric Board.

Proposal

The Nepal option of the field course EDS385 will not be offered in 2005-06.

Ås, 5.5.2005

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Noragric Board item nr/Noragric styresak nr.: 11/05 Responsible/Ansvarlig:

Desk officer/saksbehandler: Faye Benedict

Changes in education programme descriptions for 2005-06

According to the UMB procedures for programme approval, any major changes in

programmes must be approved by the Committee on Academic Affairs (Studienemnda) and accompanied by a recommendation from the institute/Noragric.

It is to some extent a matter of judgment what changes must be submitted to the Noragric Board and to the Committee on Academic Affairs for approval. In light of the need for transparency and legitimacy in any decisions that could potentially effect individual faculty members or academic fields at Noragric, it would be wise to err on the side of submitting too much to the Board for its approval rather than too little. I am therefore submitting here for the Board’s approval both the new Bachelor programme description and significant changes made in the two Master programmes. Changes in the courses and course descriptions, on the other hand, are not being submitted to the Board.

The draft report from the external evaluation committee evaluating the MNRSA, DS and DRE master programmes in March 2005 was a strong stimulus to making some immediate

changes in the construction and flexibility of the MNRSA programme, particularly. The Noragric Board will handle the evaluation report when it is submitted in its final form.

The programme changes described here have been handled and recommended by the Noragric EC. The proposed changes in the MNRSA programme have been discussed at length in the Noragric EC and unanimously supported there as well as being distributed to the staff for comment and discussed in a staff meeting on April 27 2005. Those present at the staff meeting had constructive comments supporting the proposed changes and suggesting additional changes that could be made in the next round of revisions.

The programme changes for 2005-06 are as follows:

1. A new Bachelor programme description has been made, appendix 1. This description was approved by the Committee on Academic Affairs on April 28 with minor corrections and additions. The Noragric Board has considered a more generally formulated programme description previously. This latest description includes minor changes in course order and course groups, but no major changes compared to the last programme description the Board handled.

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2. A 60 credit thesis option is added to Master in Development Studies. Since the

Development Studies curriculum was very open with a large number of elective credits, this has no effect on other required courses. However, it does mean that a pool of somewhat fewer students are available to take electives, which could effect class size and the sustainability of some courses. Highly qualified students will have the opportunity to do a more clearly research-oriented degree. The 60 degree option is available only to highly qualified students and by application.

3. The following changes are made in the MNRSA Master programme with the goal of

increased rigor, increased flexibility and better tailoring of each student’s individual study plan to their background and goals:

-Three core courses totaling 40 credits were identified as a required interdisciplinary “spine”

of the programme that all students must take (MANREN, Rural Development and Project Management and Research Methods expanded to 10 credits).

-Other course requirements are framed as “distribution requirements” to ensure that all students have or acquire a minimum of competence within a range of fields before

graduating. Students with previous background in one or more fields may satisfy some of the distribution requirements without taking additional coursework, allowing them to take more advanced courses or a 60 credit thesis.

Associated minor changes in courses were also made that are not being submitted to the Board.

Proposal/Forslag

1. The Noragric Board recommends that the revised programme description for the Bachelor of Development Studies be approved.

2. The Noragric Board recommends that a 60 credit thesis option be introduced in both the MNRSA and master of Development Studies programmes.

3. The Noragric Board recommends that the revised programme description for MNRSA be approved.

Ås, 4.5.05

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Appendix 1. Programme description, Bachelor of Development Studies.

Programbeskrivelse – Bachelor i Utviklingsstudier Utskrift fra programdatabasen 15.04.50

Kode:B-DS Oversikt

Studieprograminformasjon Studieprograminformasjon Studieprograminformasjon Studieprograminformasjon

B-DS Utviklingsstudier

Development Studies

Language of instruction: NORSK

Credits: 180.0

Owner and contact information:

Department of International Environment- and Development Studies - Noragric

Social relevance:

In an increasingly globalised world there is a growing need for knowledge about developing countries and North-South cooperation. The problems faced by

developing countries are multifaceted, and require solutions that draw on a wide range of approaches. The programme\'s unique combination of natural and social science approaches is tailored to meet this need.

Degree: BAC

Other qualification:

Further education:

The Bachelor degree provides opportunities for working in international

organisations, with development aid and in primary schools (with an additional pedagogical education). The Bachelor degree also provides opportunities for further education, including Master programmes in Development studies – poverty,

environment and collective action; Management of natural resources and sustainable agriculture; and Agroecology offered at UMB. By selecting given combinations of courses it is also possible to qualify for the Master programmes in Development and resource economics, Forestry, Forest Business, Nature-based development and innovation, Ecology, Management of Natural Resources and Tropical ecology and management of natural resources offered at UMB. The bachelor degree also gives a basis for applying to similar programmes at other higher education institutions in Norway or abroad.

Admission requirements:

General admissions requirements. Since several of the courses are held in English the applicant should also have good English ability.

Internationalisation:

An international focus is an integral part of the programme, both thematically and institutionally. Most courses offered are concerned with international issues, several will be offered in English, and students will spend one term at a partner university in a developing country. The programme also aims at attracting international students.

Studies abroad:

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As an integral part of the programme, students will spend the 4th term at a university in a developing country. It will also be possible to extend the stay to undertake field work for the bachelor project.

Exhange agreements:

Noragric can offer individually tailored packages for students from our partner universities.

Cooperation:

Noragric has broad international competence and this is reflected in the programme.

UMB has established institutional cooperation with several universities in developing countries. Students will be offered one term at one of our partner universities. It is also possible to take parts of the programme in other European countries.

Related studies:

The programme is unique among UMB\'s bachelor programmes in that it has a core of interdisciplinary courses in development studies which are supplemented by courses in relevant disciplines. Compared with other similar programmes in Norway, this programme emphasizes the interaction between the environment and

socioeconomic development processes.

Learning goal:

Students will acquire an overview of the basic problems facing developing countries and the factors influencing development processes. Students will become

knowledgeable about both social and natural science approaches to the study of development, and be able to combine different approaches. The programme gives students a basis for critical and academic thinking. Students will also acquire skills in collecting and analysing information, and presenting findings orally and in writing.

Teaching methods:

The programme utilizes a wide range of teaching and evaluation methods. Because working with development often involves adapting knowledge to new situations, many courses use case-oriented teaching and group work. This ensures that students take an active interest in their own learning. During the term spent at a university in a developing country, students receive training in fieldwork methods.

Evaluation:

The bachelor programme consists of courses offered by Noragric and other departments. The courses offered utilise a wide range of teaching and learning approaches.

Programme content :

The programme consists of the following components, totalling 180 study points: - Required introductory courses and advanced courses at Noragric (75 ECTS points) - Required introductory courses at other departments (mathematics, statistics,

ex.phil., economics, 35 ECTS points in all) -(Restricted choice) electives from other departments (55 ECTS points) -Final bachelor independent project work (15 ECTS points). The first year provides a multidisciplinary basis in the different disciplines involved (economics, ecology, anthropology, development studies). This provides a basis for selecting relevant courses in the following terms. Concrete examples from Africa, Asia and Latin America will be used in the teaching. To enable studnets to work with both sociial and natural science approaches, the programme offers courses in mathematics, statistics and scientific method.

Spesialisation requirements :

In accordance with the UMB regulations for bachelor programmes, students must have at least 80 points within the core area of development studies. This is achieved

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by taking 75 points of required courses from Noragric plus a 15 point bachelor independent project work. The required courses are: Introduction to Development Studies (10 sp), Social Anthropology (5 sp), Environment and Development (10 sp), Development Aid and Politics (5 sp), semester abroad (25 sp), Global Change (10 sp), Policy and Legal Regimes (5 sp), Writing Seminar (5 sp).

Special requirements :

Students must have an approved study plan. To be approved, the elective part of the programme should follow an example plan within one of 7 thematic areas or

demonstrate an academic focus in another area of the student\'s choice. The student must take a minimum of 100 sp at the 200 level. Supervisors will provide guidance regarding the choice of electives. The thematic focus areas are: Institutions and Social Theory, Development Economics, Pollution, Water and Soils, Agroecology, Ecology and Genetic Resources.

Student advising:

Students will receive guidance from staff at Noragric. Supervision will be given in connection with term papers and final thesis. Each student must tailor his or her own study plan, stating which courses will be included in the degree. The plan has to be approved by Noragric in the first two months of study. Individual guidance will be provided in this process.

Evaluation:

The programme will follow UMB policy and evaluate all courses anonymously after completion. Results from the evaluations will play a major role in future revisions of the programme.

Kvalitetsreformen:

The programme implements the quality reform through use of the entire academic year, an integrated semester abroad and use of a wide range of teaching and evaluation methods. Students are followed up closely, in coursework and socially.

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Appendix 2. Programme description, MNRSA.

Programbeskrivelse MNRSA, utskrift fra programdatabasen 15.04.05

Studieprograminformasjon

M-MNRSA Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture

Language of instruction:

Language of instruction: ENGELSK Credits:

Credits:

Credits: 120.0 Owner and conta Owner and conta Owner and conta

Owner and contact information: ct information: ct information: ct information:

Institute for International Environment- and Development Studies - Noragric Social relevance:

Social relevance:

Poverty reduction depends on competent analytical and management capacity both in the public sector and civil society at large. To build this capacity, students explore the complex relationship between poverty and the environment. The focus is on the importance of natural resource management and sustainable agriculture as means of poverty reduction and

sustainable development in rural areas. Graduates are expected to contribute integrated and innovative solutions to complex problems, fostering action and change to overcome

people’ s economic, social and physical vulnerability. The Master degree programme in Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture (MNRSA) offers insight into environment, poverty and development issues. It addresses the complex and interrelated topics of agricultural and rural development, poverty alleviation and the trade-offs and conflicts between development at large and the long-term management and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

Degree:

Degree: MASTER Other qualification:

Other qualification:

Further education:

Students in the programme are often already employed in public sector ministries and directorates of natural resources, conservation and agriculture-related fields. Some

graduates become planners and managers at senior levels. Others join the private sector as consultants, or join NGOs working with rural development, agricultural development and natural resource management. Others become teachers or researchers, and even enter into

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politics! Students who have completed the degree are qualified to apply for Ph.D.

programmes in the area of environment and development.

Admission requirements:

Applicants must hold a Bachelor degree in agriculture, biology, forestry, wildlife or social sciences. Applications are evaluated on an individual basis. 20-40 students admitted per year, subject to change.

Internationalisation:

By nature this programme has an international profile and the great majority of students are international. The study programme deals with global development problems related to natural resource management and agriculture. The students focus their thesis on global problems in these fields and they do their fieldwork in countries in the south. During the third semester (August 1 – September 31) the students take a 15 credit course at Noragric’ s regional partner institutions, for example Makerere University in Uganda and at Tribuwan University, Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal.

Studies abroad:

During the third semester in the MNRSA programme the students participate at a 15 ECTS course at Makerere University in Uganda, Tribuwan University, Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal, or other developing country partner institution.

Exhange agreements:

Noragric can offer individualized course packages taught in English for visiting students.

Cooperation:

The third semester of the programme is taught at a partner institution in a developing country.

Related s Related s Related s

Related studies: tudies: tudies: tudies:

This study programme is unique both nationally and internationally as it combines natural resource management and agricultural development. In the context of UMB it is has an unusually strong interdisciplinary profile and focuses on the link between the natural and social sciences.

Learning goal:

The programme will educate graduates who can actively contribute to development processes in their home countries. Graduates of the programme: -have heightened

awareness, analytical capacity and research-based knowledge in the fields of poverty, rural development, natural resource management, environment and sustainable agriculture. -have

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first-hand experience with capacity-building and development work in the South and

collaboration efforts between UMB/Noragric and partner institutions in the South. -understand

\'nature-society relationships\' from both theoretical and experiential perspectives -are proficient learners and have learned to learn -are capable of seeking, interpreting and generating practical processes of social change in terms of empowerment, equitability and sustainability -have critical and analytical minds -are concerned about combined concerns of sustainability, equity, gender and human rights.

Teaching methods:

Teaching methods in the MNRSA programme include lectures, problem-based learning, internet supported teaching (IST), group work, fieldwork and seminars. Increased emphasis will be given to internet-supported teaching as it has been shown both in Norway and abroad that a combination of internet and classroom pedagogics is an effective educational

approach. Throughout the learning process, emphasis is put on developing skills to search for, gather and evaluate information. Teaching staff members cooperate closely with ICT and library staff to integrate this aspect into the course work. Information management will be of value to the students not only during the course work and thesis writing, but even more so in their future life as managers and decision makers in the information society. The seminars allow the student to develop skills in oral presentation and in scientific writing. Students interact dynamically, by giving and receiving criticism in constructive ways. Such skills are essential in real life situations in their respective countries. Case studies given by guest lecturers and articles chosen for the seminars cover hot topics about which students organise discussions.

Evaluation:

A variety of evaluation methods are used, including final examinations, term papers and assignments.

Programme content : Programme content : Programme content : Programme content :

Upon arrival, most students take an optional, introductory course exposing them to current challenges in the field of environment and development, as well as preparing them for

challenging university-level studies in Norway. The master programme is a two-year, full-time programme of study consists of required and elective coursework, a semester of field study at a co-operating university in a developing country at the start of the second year and production of an individual, 30- or 60 point thesis. All students are required to take the

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following courses: EDS 385 - Rural Development and Project Management (15 ECTS credits) EDS 310 - Manren, main course (15) EDS 300 - Research methods (10) HOVMNRSA - Thesis (30 or 60 credits) The rest of the 120 credits consist of relevant electives at the 200- or 300 level offered by Noragric and other departments at UMB. The plan of study must be approved by the student\'s advisor and the education committee and fulfill the requirements for bredth and depth described below. The master\'s thesis normally comprises 30 credits, but students with a strong background and high ambitions can apply to write a 60 credit thesis.

Spesialisation requirements : Spesialisation requirements : Spesialisation requirements : Spesialisation requirements :

Students must complete an individually planned course of study that has been approved by the supervisor and the Noragric education committee. The first version of the plan must be approved during the first month of residence. The student\'s background and individual interests and goals are the basis for constructing the individual study plan. To achieve depth of understanding of interdisciplinary environment and development issues, students are required to take the 3 courses listed above and to write a 30- or 60 point thesis based on an interdisciplinary topic and research approach. Over and above these core requirements, students must demonstrate through previous coursework or coursework taken as part of the degree that they have competence at the 200 or 300 level in a range of academic subject areas fundamental to an interdisciplinary understanding of environment and development issues (\'distribution requirements\'). Competence must be demonstrated in each of the following areas: biology/ecology/agriculture (minimum 10 credits), research methods in the social and natural sciences (minimum 5 credits), scientific writing and communication

(minimum 5 credits), social sciences not including economics and administration (minimum 5 credits), economics/administration (minimum 5 credits), statistics (5 credits). Most students will fulfill some of these requirements through previous studies, allowing them to explore other electives. Noragric offers a range of courses that are suitable to fulfilling these

requirements. Students will receive individual guidance and examples to help them construct a programme suited to their background and ambitions.

Special requirements : Special requirements : Special requirements : Special requirements :

A minimum of 60 credits must be at the 300 level, including thesis work. Up to 10 credits of the 120 credits counting toward the master degree may be at the 100 level.

Student advising:

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Immediately after arriving, students will receive guidance to make their individual plan of study. The students have access to advisors regarding administrative, social, practical and academic affairs. Concerning research, each student is assigned a relevant academic supervisor during the second semester of the programme and the supervisor advises the student throughout this year. The student is also assigned a local supervisor while in the field. This person helps the students with both practical and more theoretical issues and ensures that the research questions are relevant in the given field situation. Efforts are made to ensure that research topics chosen relate closely to research and development activities in the institutions with which Noragric has institutional co-operation, if possible.

Evaluation:

The administration has regular meetings with students throughout the semester and MNRSA students participate in the electronic student evaluations carried out by the UMB central administration at the end of each semester. Faculty members analyse the student

evaluations and suggest relevant actions. As a SIU/NORAD funded programme, it is subject to periodic external evaluations.

Kvalitetsreformen:

The programme follows up the intentions of the quality reform by utilizing varied learning- and evaluation methods, utilizing the entire academic year, providing a semester of study in a developing country and giving students a high degree of flexibility in constructing their study plans.