What is GIDAR? 

 GIDAR is an abbreviation of “Gestion Intégrée du Dévelopment Agricole et Rural”, meaning Integrated Management of Agricultural and Rural Development (IMARD) in English. It is considered to be one of the most important and visible outcomes derived from the collaborative work between RUA and FSP Project. 

Why was GIDAR proposed? 

 The farming systems of rural farmers in Cambodia are known to be complex and subjected to a multitude of exogenous influences. This raises the need for a holistic and integrated systemic approach, with which professionals can consider the various functions of rural areas, and work out more effective impacts of the development projects and activities. The implementation of such a new approach of rural and agricultural development requires trained people with specific and multi-disciplinary skills for designing, decision-making, and managing rural and agricultural development policies, programs and projects. 

What is the innovation of GIDAR Master Program? 

 The most important value of the GIDAR Master Program is the integration of economic and social sciences with applied agricultural and environmental sciences, i.e. plant, animal, aquaculture, soil and food sciences. Such an integration of knowledge and skills would be very useful for the students to successfully develop and manage projects, programs and activities for future rural and agricultural development in a sustainable way. 

The Goal of GIDAR Master Program 

 The program offers the opportunity for students and staff to develop a more appropriate methodology and professional skills attuned to the current situations of rural and agriculture in Cambodia. 

The Objectives of GIDAR Master Program 

 The salient objectives of GIDAR Master Program are:

· To develop fundamental knowledge in multiple disciplines related to agricultural and rural development;

· To develop personal and professional skills by applying the knowledge in the real context of rural area (on-farm, agri-business…);

· To integrate applied sciences (both agriculture and environment) with social and economic sciences in order to conduct and/or manage agricultural development in Cambodian rural and sub-urban areas in a sustainable way; and

· To better prepare students for higher education (i.e., Ph.D. levels).

Admission Requirements

 Bachelor of Science degree or recognized equivalent academic degree in agricultural sciences or in related fields such as environment, forestry, animal and veterinary sciences, biology, geography, and agro-industry. Applications with degrees in other disciplines such as social sciences and economics can also be admitted upon the decision of the academic committee on the basis of curriculum vitae and other evidence. The application of candidates having professional experiences in the fields of rural development and/or agricultural education is strongly encouraged.

Interested applicant are required to fill the application form and enclose with the following documents:

· Authentic certificate and transcript records showing the grade point average (or other equivalent system) of Bachelor’s degree;

· At least a letter of recommendation from former employers, instructors or supervisors, especially for those applying for scholarships;

· Copies of certificates of language and/or computer proficiency or skills, if any;

· Copies of research publications, if any; and

· Permission letters from governmental offices or ministries if applicants are government officers.

Program Structure

 The two-year GIDAR Master Program is organized over four semesters, with a total of 66 credits. This ensures a program with a strong common standard and a wide flexibility to accommodate the students with different interests, language knowledge and background.

Semester 1: Basic agricultural production-oriented subjects including micro-economics

(1) General Agriculture and Agro-industry

- Soil and Fertility Management

- Crop Production Systems

- Animal Production Systems

- Aquaculture Production Systems

- Post-harvest Technology and Commodity Chain

(2) Agricultural Economics

- Macro– and Micro-economic Theories and their Application in Agriculture

- Farm Business Management and Agricultural Marketing

- Rural Enterprises and Micro-Finance

First Field Work

The diversity of biophysical conditions and cropping systems

Semester 2: Basic farming system-oriented subjects including development theories and an agrarian system approach

(3) Methodology of Agricultural Research in Social Sciences

- Applied Statistics and Research Design for Social Sciences

- Farming System Research and Development (FSRD)

(4) Agricultural Development

- Comparative Agricultural Development and Theories

- Agrarian Societies: Culture, Society, History and Development

Second Field Work

Surveying of Farming Systems

Semester 3: Basic development-oriented subjects including social changes, agricultural extension and project evaluation

(5) Project Planning and Management in Rural Development

- Project Identification and Design

- Project Implementation and Management

- Project Financial Management

- Project Monitoring and Evaluation

(6) Applied Social Sciences for Agriculture in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas

- Theories and Strategies for Technical, Social and Institutional Changes

- Community Organization, Leadership, Group Dynamics, Conflict Management

- Multi-stakeholders Irrigation System Design and Management

- Land Use, Land Tenure, Cadastre Services and Introduction to GIS

Semester 4: Master Thesis Research

 The last semester is devoted to the preparation of the Master Thesis, carried out either in research labs or development projects or institutions for at least six months. The thesis research, despite being valid for 12 credits, requires great efforts to be able to complete within the framework.

For the full-time GIDAR Master Program, a multi disciplinary international committee will be formed to evaluate the thesis to comply with the quality standards. Accordingly, the thesis must be written in two languages: Khmer as the national language required by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and English or French to be evaluated by the international referees and to facilitate the information exchanges with other academicians.

Transversal or horizontal skills:

 The demand in the rural labor market is not only oriented towards technical skills but also towards ‘transversal’ or so-called ‘horizontal’ capacities. The transversal or horizontal modules to be incorporated into the GIDAR Master Program:

- Introduction to Scientific Written and Communication

- Concept of General and Human Resources Management

- Development of Pedagogy, Facilitation and Negotiation Skills

Tuition Fee