CABI News

17 June 2016 – CABI and the University of Neuchâtel are pleased to announce that applications for the Masters of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programme running in 2017 are now open.

Many developing countries are threatened by food insecurity due to low agricultural productivity, pest and disease outbreaks, poor soils and lack of knowledge on how to sustainably address these concerns. ICM is a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture increasingly required as a standard around the world.

CABI and the University of Neuchâtel launched the MAS in ICM course in 2015 to help address today’s critical agricultural and environmental challenges by offering a unique higher education programme. The course gives students the opportunity to learn about sound crop management principles and to explore solutions that can be incorporated into practice and policy back home.

Following a successful graduation ceremony for the inaugural intake in November 2015, the second set of MAS in ICM students were welcomed to Switzerland in March 2016. The MAS in ICM is aimed at professionals and specialists in crop or environmental management who hold a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree plus the equivalent practical experience. Students come from the fields of agriculture, biology, extension, policy, research and teaching.

General topics covered by the course include: soil management, seed selection, crop nutrition, cropping strategies, pest and landscape management, water management, statistics, national and regional agricultural policies, and rural economics. The 2015 course annual review provides an overview of the course and highlights key activities.

Talking about her experience after graduating from the course last year, Raymonda Johnson, Acting Assistant Director and Head of the Crop Protection Service at the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security in Sierra Leone said, “I’m delighted to have graduated from the MAS in ICM programme. The course has broadened my knowledge and introduced me to new skills and technologies. I look forward to bringing this new knowledge back home to help improve and sustain agriculture in my country – especially knowledge relating to my area of pests and pesticide management.”

MAS-ICM student Alex Rutikanga from Rwanda said, “The qualification and experience acquired from the CABI-led program added value to my academic and professional background. As positive effect, I have secured a new and better position at the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba.”

The MAS in ICM course is supported by the Canton Jura, Plantwise and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

For more information on how to apply, visit the University of Neuchâtel online. Applications close 1 September 2016.

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