Dr. Vergot's  Letter

July 12, 2001

 To:       Extension Faculty

 From:   Dr. Pete Vergot, District Extension Director

 Re:       2001- 02 International Extension Training Program
Applications due August 10, 2001

Extension is proud to begin a program to provide professional development opportunities for County Extension Faculty in International Extension work.  Funding for the training is through Extension.  In the 2001 program year, approximately ten faculty members will be selected for the training program. This special training is open to county faculty from all program areas.

You are especially invited to apply for the 2001- 02 International Extension Training Program.  Please consider joining the program by filling out the attached form and returning it before August 10, 2001.  Applicants should have attained permanent status or have six years in Extension. All information can also be found starting at the District Director Web site at:
http://ded.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html .

The training will be offered as a series of three two - day workshops and a 9 -12 - day international field experience.  It will focus on the global economy and social changes reflective of a post cold-war period. Objectives are outlined in the attached pages.

Those County Faculty selected are asked to make a strong commitment of time, must be present at all sessions, must be willing to "give up" all other in-service days for the year and to be involved in a reading and study program.

The selection process will consist of the following steps:

  1. Review of applications by District Directors for professional interests.
  2. Review by training program Director and Dean to relative commitment of candidates based on personal objectives and intended application of training experience.
  3. Selection from an eligible pool of candidates to achieve a balanced yet heterogeneous group across areas of expertise.
  4. Confirmation from those invited to participate, reflecting county and office support. 

A key element in the selection process will be the candidate’s ability to predict how the training experience will be used in the candidate’s own professional career and how their experience will be applied to benefit clientele in Florida. (priority may be given to those individuals that can provide matching funds, ie county, advisory committee, etc.) Details about the program are included in the enclosed materials.  We encourage qualified individuals to apply. This special training is open to county faculty from all program areas.

cc: Dr. Christine Waddill, Dean for Extension
Dr. Larry Arrington, Associate Dean for Extension

 

 Outline of: 

 International Extension Training Program - 2001

 Session One: Orientation

Two days understanding campus-based international activities.

Objective one: To understand IFAS International Programs to discuss activities of currently involved in international experiences

Objective two: To discuss with departments hosting international
visitors  from other extension services.

 Session Two: Preparing for the First International Experience

Two days on campus

Objective one: Preparing for international extension experience

Objective two: What to expect during the international experience

Objective three: Returning and reporting

 Session Three: Fourteen-day International Experience

Tentative schedule to be announced for 9 to 12 days in Costa Rica.

 Session Four: Two-day Reporting and Wrap-up

Objective one: Faculty share experiences from their international 
experience

Objective two: Faculty develop a personalized plan for sharing international experience

Objective three: Faculty report in teams

Objective four: Faculty prepare for hosting international visitors and the process repeats itself