Abstract

A cooperative team from Cornell and Bulgaria developed a master's degree program in regional development management and off-campus short courses in regional development management at the University of Rousse in Bulgaria.

Issue

Regional development is a prominent theme in European development discourse and policy. The European Union (EU) considers regions as important elements of "structural and cohesion" policies. Accordingly, regional development is a central element in the EU-accession process. Bulgaria must adhere to the EU's regional development regulations if it is to gain membership in the EU. A cadre of trained regional development leaders is essential for gaining EU membership, and for planning and administering post-accession regional policy.

Response

Working with colleagues from Rousse University, 12 Cornell faculty members have designed both master's degrees and off-campus curricula, and will pilot test three on-campus courses for degree students, and three off-campus short courses for local officials.

Impact

The principal impact of this activity has been to enhance the capacity of one of Bulgaria's major provincial universities in a critical curricular area that contributes to the country's prospects for EU accession.

Funding Sources

• Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)
• US State Department

Collaborators

• Universitry of Rousse
• Cornell University: Agric and Life Sciences-- Int'l Agric., Development Sociology, AEM,CSS; Law School,CRP

Key Personnel

• Vasil Penchev, University of Rousse, Bulgaria
• Tanya Smrikarova, University of Rousse, Bulgaria
• Gerald White, Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University