/24-7PressRelease/ - UNIVERSITY PARK, PA, July 03, 2008 - A partnership between Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Europe will lead to better understanding and improved collaborations in global agriculture.
The program between Penn State and AgroParisTech in France allows the institutions to facilitate a graduate student and faculty exchange in order to develop a shared graduate program and research collaboration. According to Deanna Behring, director of international programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences, AgroParisTech is the most renowned French "Grande Ecole d'ing nieurs" in the sector of agronomy, life sciences, food science and technology and environment. "Of the two million students in higher education in France, less than three percent are in the grand ecole system. It is a highly competitive environment in which only the best students are accepted."
Penn State and AgroParisTech were among 16 applicants to be awarded a grant from the Partner University Fund (PUF), a new program funded by a private donor and sponsored by the French government. According to Behring, "The main objective of our collaboration with AgroParisTech is to develop a shared graduate program. The idea is to progressively include a period of study in the partner country in the curriculum of the students. The initial focus will be on chemical ecology, crop protection and food science, with a view to extend it to sustainable international agriculture and food systems. The participating students' experiences will enlarge their vision and enrich their resume with a transatlantic experience."
In addition, the program will incorporate a summer university component that will include a two-week immersion program in Paris. It will be used to recruit students and prepare them with language and cultural experience prior to the exchange. The project also includes faculty exchanges to build joint research collaboration and to provide better guidance to students.
The two partners have been working together since 2003 under the framework of a project called the Sustainable Protection in Agriculture (SUSPROT) funded by the US-EU Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) under the Department of Education. The project supported both European and American students conducting research in sustainable crop protection methods and examined global market economies. "Former Penn State students who participated currently hold prestigious positions in academia, government and the private sector," says Behring.
Dr. Ed Rajotte, professor of entomology at Penn State, says "The SUSPROT program enabled students from Penn State to gain more from their university experience by going outside the university and experience their studies in the real world. Former students said the research techniques they learned and the international experience they've gained was so valuable they now feel confident they can go anywhere in the world and interact with people from any cultural and social background."
Because of SUSPROT's enormous impact and success, the College of Agricultural Sciences was interested in having it continue once the three-year project drew to a close. Behring first learned about PUF during a visit from the French Embassy to Penn State, and is excited about the opportunity to work with AgroParisTech once more. "The PUF program goes well beyond the typical 'study abroad' programs in that it will develop a shared graduate education curriculum. One day, we hope students will be awarded joint masters and PhD degrees by Penn State and AgroParisTech."
The program will also prepare agricultural students for work in a global market economy and encourage the use of more efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly strategies to sustain high quality production and profitability. According to Bruce McPheron, associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural Sciences, "Our students will be exposed to expertise from around the world addressing emerging issues, which is important in creating the next generation of faculty and researchers to deal with new challenges. Students will come away with innovative ways of conducting research and solving problems."
This unique international opportunity will help Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences continue to attract the best and brightest students. Says McPheron, "The program has the potential to become a model, not just in the Penn State system, but across the United States."
About Pennsylvania IPM Program
The College of Agricultural Sciences and its Office of International Programs are committed to preparing the workforce of the future by providing students with the best education and skills necessary to function in and contribute to the current global environment and business demands. The College has well-established programs for graduate and undergraduate students to visit other countries as part of their curriculum or graduate research. For more information on the Office of International Programs, visit their Web site at http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/international/.
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