Pasitam

Founded in 1972, the Program for Advanced Studies in Institution Building and Technical Assistance Methodology (Pasitam) was supported by a grant by the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) and represented Indiana University's major contribution to that program.

Pasitam's mission was to acquire, develop, and disseminate information about project design and implementation. William J. Siffin, professor in the Dept. of Government, was appointed by MUCIA to head the Pasitam program. He was director for 10 years, 1972-1982.

The Program for Advanced Studies in Institution Building and Technical Assistance Methodology (PASITAM) was founded in 1972. Supported by a 5 year, $1 million dollar grant to the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA), it represented Indiana University's major contribution to that program. William J. Siffin, a professor in the department of government (now political science), was appointed by MUCIA to head the PASITAM program. Siffin assumed the directorship in 1972 with the awarding of the initial grant. He remained director until 1982.

PASITAM's mission was to acquire, develop, and disseminate information about project design and implementation. In carrying out this mission, the staff did not do original research but instead gathered information from project reports, technical publications, scholarly research, and other secondary sources. Once collected, the information was synthesized into brief, readable documents, including a newsletter, a series of problem-oriented "Design Notes", and videotapes.

One of PASITAM's major projects was the Analytical Skills Workshop. It was established in 1976 in support of an effort by the U.S. Agency for International Development to improve its training efforts. The ASW project produced a series of training modules intended to develop participants' ability to define and analyze problems, assess possible solutions, and design appropriate interventions. Between 1976 and 1980, 244 people took part in 11 separate workshops held under this program.