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<p>Our proposed project is to strengthen the global competence of students and faculty in food and agricultural sciences, expand their global awareness in a South American culture, and introduction to new global vision through collaborative partnerships with institutions in Brazil. The specific objectives include:</p>
<p>(1) building educational, research, and extension partnerships with Brazil's institutions in some of agriculture's challenge areas to enhance faculty and students' professional and career opportunities;</p>
<p>(2) developing a summer enrichment international scholar exchange, experiential learning, education, research, and extension programs to promote awareness among faculty and students about the broad range of international opportunities in food, agriculture and related sciences;</p>
<p>(3) using this and other overseas partnerships to build stronger pipelines for minority student recruitment into our programs. The project when completed will significantly impact the quality of food and agricultural sciences education at both AAMU and TU. The students enrolled in the program will be well prepared to address the critical national and international agricultural issues/NIFA's strategic goals of global food security and hunger, food safety and quality, bioenergy/biofuel, global climate change education, natural resource management and conservation, and sustainable rural economies.</p>
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> Agriculture in the tropics is important to U.S. agriculture and sustainability. Despite the increase in globalization of US business and the apparent growing national interest in international education, a substantial number of students especially African-Americans still lack international and/or intercultural competence. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) and Tuskegee University (TU) are committed to academic programs that include global collaborations and partnerships to strengthen faculty and students' experiential learning and opportunities. To this end both universities have developed access and appreciation for international and cross-cultural experiences through, curriculum enhancement, study abroad and exchange programs. The project will support the national efforts to build and strengthen human capacity and diversity
through increased involvement of underrepresented minority students that are well prepared, culturally balanced and are society ready in agricultural professions. The project is also meant to strengthen the global competence of students and faculty in food and agricultural sciences, expand their global awareness in the understanding of NIFA's strtegic goals including sustainable and renewable bio-energy, global food security and hunger, food safety, nutrition and health, sustainable rural economies and climate change in a global economy; natural resource management and conservation.
<p>APPROACH:
<br/>Students will be introduced to this international agriculture exchange program through a series of seminars in the first semester of each year. A project coordinator/assistant will be hired to assist with carrying out the project activity. Students will be recruited for the program in the spring semester, using a series of interviews based on students' interest and willingness to learn new cultures and apply classroom materials to real-world environment. Prior to taking the trip to Brazil in the summer, the students will spend three days at Alabama A&M University visiting research laboratories, field sites, research and education training, and interacting with other students, faculty and community members for social and culturally related activities while they are guided through orientation on the exchange program. The recruited students will travel to
Brazil accompanied a faculty member. In Brazil, they will be guided by mentors who are experts in their areas of research and/or teaching. Students will be required to keep journals and submit written reports ten days upon their return. The reports will summarize experiential learning knowledge gained during the program. Students will also assess the effectiveness of the program and suggest potential recommendations for future improvement and better management of the program. In addition, students will participate in a series of presentations and seminars to other student groups on campus organized by the project PD and Co-PDs. Students will use this opportunity to educate their colleagues and the general public about the multidisciplinary aspect of agriculture, while sharing their own Brazil/US experience. Students will also publicize the program and serve as advocates to recruit other
students and the impact and necessity of global study or study abroad program.</p>
<p>PROGRESS: 2012/09 TO 2013/08<br/>
Target Audience: Students and Faculty, Underrepresented minorities particularly African-Americans.
<br/>Efforts: Internships; experiential learning opportunities; extension and outreach.
<br/>Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided. Several opportunities have been provided to students, staff and scientists to participate in the program and to invite students and scientists from Brazilian Institutions to visit our institutions. A new course [International Experience in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences] has been approved and students must register for this course as a condition to be considered for the International Experiential Learning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Seminars and presentations to different
classes across the campus have been initiated and are being given. We are also disseminating our experience through teaching and interactions with students, faculty and community. The program has excellent exposure through our institutions various media outlets. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to provide opportunities to several other students, staff and scientists to participate in the program and to invite students and scientists from Brazilian Institutions to visit our institutions and present seminars and lectures. We will initiate and develop joint research and teaching grants to foster more students and faculty exchanges.</p>