PROJECT INITIAL PHASE

Needs Analysis and Transfer of Knowledge

Estimated Start Date: 15/02/2020
Estimated End Date: 15/04/2020

Lead Organisation:
P1 – AU-Plovdiv-BG
P4- MAU – Co-lead of WP1

Participating Organisation:
EU partners P2, P3 and all HEs partners in Egypt in association with experts from associate partners

Objectives

The objectives of this WP1 are:

1.

To elaborate stakeholder assessment study

2.

Benchmarking study to define gaps in relation to EU education and Plant Clinic standards.

3.

To define staff and students need for training in modern plant clinic techniques

4.

To publish good practice guide for Plant Clinic services, mapping of Network and Training Centres at PC partners

5.

To sign Terms of Reference (ToR) to establish network in the Plant Clinic and Phytosanitary among PC institutes

During a short period (1-4 months) of this project the PC and EU partners will repeat in detail and in depth what had preliminary done before during the last 5 years of studies (need analysis for the targeted key problem, stakeholder analysis, feasibility studies …etc)

The Project Preparation WP is a very important phase because it is the basis for a successful project. In this phase the needs of project beneficiaries at all partner institutions, key stakeholders will be determined as:
To develop a list of all possible stakeholders.
Develop a list of priority stakeholders with input from experts.
Definitions of stakeholder characteristics
Interview questionnaire and protocol
-To prepare study to build valuable work skills and enhance staff performance in the new program and to provide a dynamic learning experience that will enable staff to get their day-to-day professional skills, and for supervisors to create an environment conducive to success.
to legally prepare to establish network at PC partner institutions for Plant Clinic education-training and innovations.

Tasks

1.1

The analysis activities will provide the appropriate background to network activities by supplying information about the level of targeted departments at Egypt partners universities conditions and practices, level of plant clinic services awareness toward its plant protection area of science, rural society service and subsequent training needs.

Team set-up of (minimum 1-2 participants from each institution) from each university will complete a questionnaire on general services and structures as well as identifying a minimum of one specific service/element for further analysis or for use as a good practice example.

Departments consulted will include:

Student affairs, student union, alumni, academic affairs and extension department and other university departments, work laborer union, associations in agriculture community .

Focus groups will be organized with students, plant protection graduates and employees, rural society beneficiary to evaluate the level of progression of Plant Clinic in higher Education for rural society services satisfaction and expectations.

At least 50 students/ per university and 20 rural society beneficiaries of each partner region involved. Analysis of data to gain an overview of existing provision and gaps.

1.2

Site Visits to EU : organisation and implementation

Egyptian senior staff will be invited to visit European partners in BG, HU and IT in early months (M3/M4) of project Year1 to transfer knowledge of Plant Clinics and employability skill practices. All the participants will identify common best practices from EU and Egypt.

1.3

Good Practice statement report on Plant Clinic Services in EU partner HEIs

The good practice report on similar programs, modules, plant clinic services and management will provide a comparison of related practices of training and skills.

1.4

Networks compendium of HEI/employer

The compendium will be compiled from data distilled from the needs analysis (Activity 1.1) to identify and map where careers and employability links are established, where they need strengthening and where none exist.

The purpose of the network is to ensure sustainable development and accessibility to reputable national HE and employment, which no single institution can achieve alone. The network can enhance the power and influence of citizen voice in advocating for policies and improving governance. The network also can link service-providers in plant clinics to exchange information and resources or to develop coordinated programmes with universities to cater for the needs of plant protection students and to facilitate integration in the job market. Also ; the network can work hand in hand with other plant protection agencies.

Before our project gets rolling, we will mark its specific goals in preparation phase with milestones in M3 for activities 1.1., 1.2. and M4 for activities 1.3. and 1.4. to trace delivery in respect of timeline and cost overrun. … (see list of Milestones in 8.3.)

Expected Deliverable/ Results/ Outcomes

Work Package and Outcome ref.nr	1.1.
Title	Stakeholder assessment study in specific needs for Plant Clinics in labour market at partner universities in East, North, Middle and South of Egypt.
Type	☐ Teaching material ☐ Learning material ☐ Training material ☐ Event ☒ Report ☐ Service/Product
Description	Deliverables : Analysis methodology developed and implemented by PM, verified by all partners. To develop a list of all possible stakeholders. Develop a list of priority stakeholders with input from experts. Definitions of stakeholder characteristics Interview questionnaire and protocol The position of each stakeholder can be established by analysing the following : Information directly reported by the stakeholder in the interviews Indirect information gathered through other stakeholders and secondary information (i.e., others’ perceptions) Interest information. From the information in the stakeholder table, the working group should be able to conclude the following: Who are the most important stakeholders (from a power and leadership analysis)? What is the stakeholders’ knowledge of the plant clinic? What do the stakeholders see as possible advantages or disadvantages of the plant clinic (interest analysis)?
Due date	1st week of M3, 2020

Work Package and Outcome ref.nr	1.2.
Title	Staff visits to EU for Benchmarking and good practice studies to define gaps in relation to EU education and Plant Clinic standards.
Type	☐ Teaching material ☒ Learning material ☐ Training material ☐ Event ☒ Report ☐ Service/Product
Description	Upgrade PC institutes standards by adopting a common core of EU and internationally benchmarked standards in Plant Clinic and Phytosanitary arts for graduates and trainees to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be globally competitive. Leverage states’ collective influence to be aligned to internationally benchmarked standards and draw on lessons from high-performing at PC partners as EU standard. Also, to revise state policies for recruiting, preparing, developing, and supporting teachers and academic leaders. Measure state-level education performance globally by examining student achievement and attainment in an international context to ensure that, over time, students will receive the education they need to compete in the 21st century Venue: at UNINA-Napoli – (IT), and Debrecen (HU) and AUP (BG)
Due date	4th week of M3 (IT), 2nd week M5 (BG), 3rd week M5 (HU)

Title	Status of staff need for training in modern plant clinic techniques
Type	☐ Teaching material ☐ Learning material ☐ Training material ☒ Event ☒ Report ☐ Service/Product
Description	To prepare planned study to help staff to build valuable works skills and enhance their performance, in PRO-DPCP new program and to provide a dynamic learning experience that will enable staff to get their day-to-day professional skills, and for supervisors to create an environment conducive to success. Workshops held at 4 regions (East, North, Middle, South) of Egypt will address common questions about proper methods and modern techniques to build the partners capacity, with emphasis on how such mechanics are essential to effective business field work. Strategies for identifying and resolving plant diseases and pests will be discussed and practiced, as will effective proof practical skills. Participants will have an opportunity to have their needs and explanation questions answered and will leave the workshop with handouts and a list of resources for ongoing support of excellence in the mechanics of modern plant protection education and plant clinic techniques.
Due date	2nd week of M4

Work Package and Outcome ref.nr	1.4.
Title	Good Practice Guide for Plant Clinic Services in HEIs Definition and mapping of Network and Training Centres
Type	☐ Teaching material ☐ Learning material ☐ Training material ☐ Event ☒ Report ☐ Service/Product
Description	Workshop held at EU partner university (AU-Plovdiv-BG) Expected Deliverable: 1/ Good Practice Guide (compendium) prepared 2/ PRO-PDPC network outlined Description of task To identify and to legally establish network at PC institutions for Plant Clinic education-research and society innovations. The purpose of the network is to ensure sustainable development and accessibility to reputable international HE and employment, which no single institution can achieve alone. The network can enhance the power and influence of citizen voice in advocating for policies and improving governance. The network also can link service-providers (employers) to exchange information and resources or to develop coordinated programmes with universities to cater for the needs of plant protection students and to facilitate integration in the job market. Also; the network can work hand in hand with international development agencies. The idea of this network is to strengthen the collaboration between HE institutions in Egypt with national stakeholders. The network will be inclusive, will bring “everyone on board” and develop strong relationships and shared responsibilities among universities, research institutions, public and private sector of Agriculture. Hence people from different disciplines and organisations, who are working in the field of Plant Clinic and agriculture, will become better connected. To identify the existing interests, demands and expertise of the identified network partners. To set common objectives and a mission for network and training centers in the Plant Clinic. The interests and existing knowledge of the network partners builds the basis for developing the teaching resources. At least one report from each partner explains the network for education system. In cooperation with 3EU partners and associate partners Venue: AU-Plovdiv-BG
Due date	M4

Work Package and Outcome ref.nr	1.5.
Title	Terms of Reference (ToR) to establish network in the Plant Clinic and Phytosanitary among partner institutes
Type	☐ Teaching material ☐ Learning material ☐ Training material ☒ Event ☒ Report ☐ Service/Product
Description	To legally establish the Plant Clinic network and sustainable agriculture. Terms of Reference (ToR) will be developed, signed among network partners which include following issues: Mission, vision and objectives Required tools and mechanism to support the science-society collaboration Task description of network partners Required materials, equipment and skills to establish the network. Requirements and specifications for establishing the network for sustainability innovations Creation of a National PRO-DPCP Network A set of documents for the implementation of the network for cooperation between all the national actors will be developed. EU partners will provide input in the initial phase of this activity, giving advice on the general framework of the documents. The aim of setting up the network is to create a platform of exchange of experiences, information and good practices with a view to fostering a regular dialogue and coaching among all the regional actors. The board will include HE and Agric. And Food supply ministries’ representatives to guarantee the network activities will be adapted to real regional needs. Venue: Key staff (like ministries’ representatives, rectors, Dean, vice-Dean, Dept head), as legal representatives meeting held at Mansoura University, Egypt