Action Research in Agricultural Sciences Presentation Day.

 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cary J. Trexler, UC Davis, the instructor of the course

Action research in agricultural sciences course was carried out for 6 months (from August 2013 to March 2014) with the participation of 24 students from 4 faculties at HUA, viz. the Faculties of Agronomy, Accounting and Business Management, Biotechnology, and Economics & Rural Development. The Presentation Day was an opportunity for students to proudly present their research outcomes via vivid poster presentation after an intensive course. It was also the final examination of students to recognize their efforts with strong support and dedicated instruction of their lecturers and close cooperation of farmers.

Opening the Presentation Day, Prof. Glenn M. Young and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cary J. Trexler both stated that the course was very special for its first ever class in English at HUA focusing on teaching students how to conduct their researches independently based on farmers’ needs.   Dr. Cary J further delivered a presentation on “Building International Cooperation in Agricultural Research, Teaching and Extension” which has been realized at HUA with advanced education programs and this applied research course. He stressed that agricultural science research should focus on the development of life long learning, communication skills and the integration of teaching, research and extension.

Attending the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trach expressed sincere thank to VEF, USAID, and MOET for sponsoring the action research in agriculture sciences course, to the two instructors for their conducting the course. He stated that the course’s new methodology has brought our students to practical works and precious knowledge. They were taught how to conduct research to solve farmers’ problems. He expected an ever increasing good partnership and continuous support with and from VEF which will possibly improve HUA capacity in education, research as well as community service.

Also Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong took this opportunity to thank the leadership of HUA and the two professors for conducting the course. She also brought the audience to VEF brief introduction (www.vef.gov) and hoped that more students at HUA will be qualified and provided with  VEF fellowships.

The action research in agricultural sciences course  was successfully completed which helped  not only build students capacity in scientific research but also nurture their commitment to community development. Three out of six student groups were awarded highest prizes as the first prize for the project “Development of an alternative distribution channel for honeydew melon for Dong Xuan Co-op” (group 6), the second prize for “Identification of weak links in the safe vegetable value chain at Dong Xuan Cooperative” (group 4), and the third prize for “an economic analysis of Dong Xuan Cooperative’s muskmelon supply and demand” (group 2).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trach, HUA Vice Rector presented souvenir to instructors