Our Mission

Our goal is to develop substantial collaborative programs that will enhance the sustainable development of rural communities with emphasis on agricultural and environmental resources and the social, economic, and political development of countries in Central Europe. We will work on programs that are institutional strengthening; engage faculty and collaborators in multidisciplinary approaches to solving problems; enhance opportunities for scientist -to- scientist exchanges within the framework of selected issues; and promote research, education and extension/outreach services that are immediately and visibly useful to both the public and the private sector.

Our Vision

In the past our focus has been on institutional strengthening; in the future we want to extend our model of institutional bonding eastward to additional countries. Our future programs will emphasize capacity building. We will focus more on professional development of scientists and educators who are in the early stages of their careers. We will continue to promote research, education, and extension/outreach, but now an important role will be to strengthen, as well as to accelerate, the linkages between research and extension so that results are immediately visible to the public and private sector. A planned emphasis on train the trainer for educators and government and industry professionals will help to achieve faster and more efficient linkages.. We work within the framework of accommodating and developing the business environment in preparation for entry of these countries into the European Union. Our overall goal is to enhance the use of human and natural resources to improve the quality of life of rural residents.