An exogenous shock such as the COVID-19 pandemic can significantly affect TA execution and associated plans and government priorities. When that happens, it will be useful to pause TA implementation, revisit the processing timeline, take sufficient time to observe and discuss with the executing agency, and make adjustment where possible. The TA was well aligned with strategy documents at national and ADB level. The TA identified important areas to improve in the higher education sector and its design was flexible to accommodate a change in modality from a sector development program to a project. The COVID-19 pandemic has however significantly affected the TA's implementation, making it difficult to mobilize the consultants to do the field work. At the same time, the negative effects of the pandemic shifted the government priority resulting in the government’s decision not to pursue the ensuing loan.
Research University Sector Development Program