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John Daly, associate professor, University of South
Florida
Lecturing and Research: Public Administration, The Lure
of Providing Technical Assistance and Training in Swaziland
September 1998-July 1999
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Dr.
John Daly, a University of South Florida associate professor of
public administration, helped bring computer technology to the
people of his host nation. Through the 1998-99 scholar's efforts,
Microsoft Ltd. of South Africa donated $30,000 in software, software
licenses and training to the Swaziland Institute on Management
and Public Administration. The Institute, where Dr. Daly spent
the year lecturing and conducting research, provides training
for working professionals. "The goal of this project," he said,
"is to improve the information infrastructure of the country and
the expertise of Swaziland government officials and teachers."
After receiving training, the Institute's students will be able
to instruct others. While many of the nation's schools and businesses
have donated computers on site, until now, only the elite have
had the skills necessary to use them.
Dr. Daly returned to Swaziland in March of 2000 to conduct research
on HIV/AIDS in the Swazi workplace. He gave multiple presentations
that focused on the rights of HIV-positive employees, workforce
productivity and the need for carefully constructed pension plans
that would take HIV-positive employees into account. Dr. Daly's
year in Swaziland as a Fulbrighter gave him country-specific knowledge
and experience, which added to his credibility in the eyes of
the high-level Swazi officials attending the public lectures.
Among those attending were the minister of health, the chair of
Swaziland's HIV/AIDS Crisis Management and Technical Committee
and the executive director of the Federation of Swazi Employees.
This scholar's continued dedication to his former Fulbright host
country has received national media coverage in Swaziland and
South Africa, and several publications will result from his research.
Articles by Dr. John Daly will appear in upcoming issues of Development
Southern Africa and Public Personnel Management.
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if you would like to submit your own story and/or photographs.
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