Strengthening Higher Education Institutions for Social and Economic Development in Laos

The USAID Laos Local Solutions Support activity empowered Lao-led sustainable development solutions by helping universities develop a skilled workforce for the future and employ service-learning practices for local development.

The USAID Laos Local Solutions Support (LSS) activity (October 2019-August 2024) was originally designed as a civil society organizational (CSO) strengthening project. After several Lao stakeholder consultations, LSS changed its focus to enhance the internal and outreach capacity of four public universities: the National University of Laos, Souphanouvong University, Savannakhet University, and Champasack University. In recognition of its ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, LSS won a USAID Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Case Study Award in 2023.

Summary of Project Achievements 

RTI International, the Laos Ministry of Education and Sports, and Duke University used a service-learning framework to support the four university partners in becoming pillars of Lao social and economic development, providing training and consulting services to local organizations, and expanding their role in research and policymaking. The four partner universities also strengthened their administrative, operational, and financial performance.  
Through strong leadership and stakeholder engagement, adaptive management, and strategic planning and partnerships, LSS reached the following achievements: 

• The Department of Economics and Business Management at the National University of Laos became the second Lao entity to meet quality assurance standards and be accepted as members of the Network.  
• The LSS team helped each university select, train, and engage 16 Master Trainers and Advisors (64 in total); co-develop 18 advanced management courses; and establish a Management Online Resources for Education (MORE) platform for distance learning. 
• 24 awards and small-scale investments in student-led businesses were facilitated through innovation labs in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, and phone-based applications. Students gained valuable entrepreneurship and market-ready skills in business planning, concept pitching, budgeting, and marketing.
• 8 Socio-economic research and action (SERA) grants were awarded to departments in the four universities. The SERA grants—combined with advanced research methods workshops with U.S., Singapore, Indian, and Thai universities—led to the development of policy research publications that contributed to government action on regional economic issues, labor market optimization, and improved management of natural resources.
• Expanded the size and strength of organizational networks of the four university partners by an average of 42% as evidenced by baseline and endline Social Network Analysis (SNA) surveys.  These expanded university networks with government, business, and civic organizations will enhance their local development efforts and ability to place graduates in the workforce.
• Integrated gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) practices at partner universities by conducting GESI research, co-creating university GESI Action Plans, delivering GESI training, and facilitating public dialogue on specific on-campus GESI issues. 

Enhancing Sustainable Locally Led Development in Laos

From the beginning, LSS emphasized locally led development to sustain project inputs and outcomes. The focus on universities using outreach, local development, and service-learning practices enabled them to become active participants in local socioeconomic development and address local needs directly through practical, community-based projects. 

The 64 master trainers and advisors cascaded their training to others, improving the capacity of university staff and local community members. The project also helped develop agreements between university partners and local economic entities, fostering collaborations that continue to support pro-growth economic policies and practices. These partnerships were crucial in mobilizing resources and funding for sustainable financial autonomy.

Additionally, the project created opportunities for youth through job fairs, student product expos, technical exchanges, and research symposiums that reached over 2,000 teachers, students, university staff, and other key stakeholders in their communities.

This important work is continuing and expanding through the USAID Laos Higher Education for Accelerated Development (LEAD).