Agricultural development helps fight hunger and poverty

 

Nine billion people. That’s the estimated size of the world population in 2050. A 35% increase from the 2010 level. Consequently, food demand will rise leading to a neccesity of increment on food production which generates pressure on natural resources. This is particularly true in developing countries. Mayling (BSc in Agricultural Engineering) is dedicated to utilise natural resources so the production of food can be increased, but in a sustainable way.

 

The dedication and motivation is intense and sincere. You can tell by the tone of her voice and body language.

 

“I want to help fight hunger and poverty in developing countries. One of the best ways to do this is through agricultural development”, Mayling answers, when asked why she applied for the Agris Mundus programme.

 

In her opinion, the programme provides students with theory and hands-on experience in sustainable agricultural development, which can increase food production and food safety especially for the benefit of people in the developing countries.

 

Mayling appreciates that all teaching is based on real life problems in developing countries and the fact that there are many fellow students in the programme coming from developing countries them selves makes discussions and problem solving even more real and applicable in the future. Especially this is the case, when working in groups of three to five students with different academic and cultural background. It has given Mayling great perspectives on different approaches to a given case.

 

According to Mayling, the many different cultures and nationalities in the programme makes students learn to see beyond their own horizon and prepare students to act interculturally in their future career. An excellent feature of the Agris Mundus programme which supports this is that students must study at two different European Universities. Each partner university offers different tracks and Mayling found that her interests where met best at LIFE in the first year. For the second year, she will be going to Montpellier in France.

 

In touch with real life

The Agris Mundus programme also provides students with the opportunity to get in touch with the real world outside the classroom. Mayling is looking forward to do fieldwork in a developing country as an obligatory part of her thesis preparation which makes students capable of performing their own research.

 

Mayling feels confident that the expertise she gains in the programme will make her capable of advising farmers, companies and organisations in the field of sustainable agricultural development. She considers herself a global citizen so she has not yet decided where in the world she wants to pursue a job. The most important thing is the job it self. She hopes she will be able to be part of the solution for people in developing countries by making positive changes for e.g. farmers through collaboration on sustainable food production methods that can make them produce more and better food, generate higher income and a better life.

 

International study environment

Naturally, the global scope of the Agris Mundus programme and the many international students from Africa, Latin America to Asia create a great international study environment at LIFE.

 

Mayling has made friends from all over world from the very beginning of the programme – not least due to the International Graduate Orientation Programme which introduces all full degree students to Danish culture and language and the study structure and form of instruction at LIFE. In the programme and throughout the semester, the Faculty administration also arranges events and social activities for international students. So it is only natural that most international students hang out together, go out and meet at the Faculty library to study or do group work together. However, Mayling has also made some Danish friends and generally consider her fellow Danish students and professor’s very open, friendly and easy going.