IAAS World Newsletter May & June 2015

I N T E R N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F S T U D E N T S I N

A G R I C U L T U R A L A N D R E L A T E D S C I E N C E S

May - June 2015

I N T E R N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F S T U D E N T S I N A G R I C U L T U R A L A N D R E L A T E D S C I E N C E S

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Contents

European Directors Meeting ............................................................... 2

New Regional Directors EU ................................................................. 6

Exchange Week Zagreb: “Green perspective of an urban area” ........... 8

Spring in Greece ................................................................................ 11

IAAS Eastern & Southern Africa Exchange Week ............................... 12

IAAS ASA Sassari: 20th Birthday! ....................................................... 18

Int. Conference on Agricultural Higher Education in the 21st Century . 21

IROICA Meeting ................................................................................ 23


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European Directors Meeting,

03.05.15 – 10.05.15

The following report deals with the

European Directors Meeting of the

International Association of students in

Agricultural and related Sciences

(IAAS). This year the local committee of

the University of Hohenheim had the

pleasure to organize this important

event and to host 31 students from

Belgium, Belarus, Croatia, the Czech

Republic, France, Germany, Greece,

Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

and the US.

Welcome in Hohenheim!

On Sunday, the 3rd of May we welcomed all our guests in Hohenheim and the organization

team was kept busy with picking up our guests from their different points of arrival, offering

snacks and playing motivation games. The highlight was a scavenger hunt in the main yard of

the Hohenheim Castle where the participants had to answer questions about Germany and the

region of Baden-Württemberg. The Students got to know the area as well as each other better.

In the late afternoon we moved to our accommodation in Murrhardt. The whole group liked

the place from the beginning and our week officially started there with a common dinner, an

organizational meeting and a sampling of the participants’ expectations.

Agriculture in theory, history and practice

On Monday, the 4th of May, we drove back to Hohenheim to show our guests the whole

university campus as well as the German Museum of Agriculture, which is located on our

campus. A highlight of this morning was the chance to go up to the platform of our castle’s

dome and enjoy the view to Hohenheim and its surroundings.

After having lunch, we visited the marketing company Vitfrisch in Neckarsulm. This company

deals with various vegetables coming from local farmers in the regions of Heilbronn and

Stuttgart. We saw how the locally grown vegetables were packed up and made ready for the

markets.

In the evening our ‘mandatory’ IAAS-Trade Fair took place. Twelve different countries

presented their traditional food and drinks as well as traditional clothing filling the evening

with wonderful new flavors and adding invigorating ideas to our minds through a lot of

interesting conversations.


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‘KWS SAAT SE-Day’ – Getting to know the local (agri-)culture

After we had started Tuesday morning with a typical Bavarian “Weißwurst”-breakfast, we had

several presentations of our participants about the agricultural sectors in their home countries.

Later, we went to the ‘Hohenloher Freilichtmuseum’, a rebuilt historical village near

Schwäbisch Hall. During a guided tour we learned a lot about rural life and various agricultural

practices in former times. Afterwards we walked through the streets of the old town of

Schwäbisch Hall and climbed up the tower of St. Michael.

Modern Agricultural Science versus passionate Bioland producers

Wednesday morning started early – at 7:30 we left Murrhardt and drove to the Boxberg Centre

for Education and Science in pig breeding. In two smaller groups we got guided tours through

the compound and discussed different trials and current topics in pig breeding. All in all, this

visit was a great chance to experience modern applied agricultural science. The second activity

of this day was the visit of a mill, belonging to a (Bioland) producer community. After a short

presentation and a walking tour through the mill we got a nice impression of the producer

community’s motivation and goals as well as of the mill and the products produced there.

Close to nature – During recreation and the visit of a Demeter farm

The first part of our fifth day we spent in a national park next to Murrhardt. All participants

were really impressed by the waterfalls and the wild stream down in the narrow valley where

we hiked and appreciated having the time to talk and relax. After a quick lunch we left with

new energy to a Demeter farm. Many of our participants had not heard about biodynamic

farming before and the specialties of this way of organic farming were discussed the rest of the

day. In addition to the Demeter brand and practices, we also dealt with old and rare breeds

belong to the farm and direct marketing of farm products.


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AGROGEN-Day – Something about agricultural engineering & vegetables

On Friday morning we visited the company Kress, located next to Vaihingen/Enz. It is well-

known all around the world for innovations in agricultural technology, especially for in the

field of mechanical weed control. We got an idea of the various machines they produce for

several crops and applications and were invited to stay for lunch afterwards.

In the afternoon we visited a nursery for vegetable plants, also located near to Vaihingen/Enz

- Natterer Bioland Jungpflanzen. We saw all the different stages of production, mainly situated

in greenhouses. All together the nursery had five hectares of greenhouses which were used at

that moment, and more already empty because of the season. Back at Murrhardt we held the

elections for the new European directors and discussed other current organizational and

administrational issues of IAAS.

Agriculture and rural development in the area of Schwäbisch Hall

Out last full day, Saturday the 9th of May, we were introduced to the work of the Bäuerliche

Erzeugergemeinschaft Schwäbisch Hall (BESH), a relatively large producer community. The

founder and leader of BESH was happy to welcome us and showed us different parts of their

activities. In addition to what we had already learned about producer community before, here

the focus was put on rural development and marketing issues.

Full of new ideas, knowledge and a little bit exhausted we finished the program with the visit

of the Haller Löwenbräu brewery. After returning back to the group home for a feedback round,

we enjoyed the last evening together in Murrhardt.

It is beyond all doubt that this event could not have been arranged without the generous help

of the sponsors and the University of Hohenheim, whom we would hereby like to thank.

BASF SE

KWS SAAT AG

AGROGEN Stiftung Schweiz

Verfasste Studierendenschaft der

Universität Hohenheim

Universität Hohenheim

Universitätsbund

Hohenheim e.V.


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Kverneland Group Deutschland

GmbH

Bäckerei und Konditorei

Treiber GmbH

BEISELEN GmbH

2015 © IAAS Deutschland e.V.


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New Regional Directors EU

During above-described EDM 3 new Regional Directors for the European Region were elected.

We proudly present to you:

Francisco (Paco) López - Regional Director Western EU

Paco comes from the IAAS committee in Madrid, Spain.

‘Hey!

My name is Paco López. I study Agricultural Engineering in

Madrid, where after being a member of IAAS for 4 years and

attending as much events as I could, I became National Director

during the last year. In an effort for understanding global

agriculture I have studied abroad for one year in the USA, and

will study abroad again soon in Chile and Sweden.

I think that IAAS gathers the minds that will drive and change agriculture in the future, so

we must take advantage of this amazing opportunity to make contacts and try to learn as

much as we can about agriculture and biotechnology in other parts of the world.

I love organizing events in general, specially IAAS stuff, so please let me know if I can help

your committee in any way!’

For any questions comments or just a nice hi you can e-mail Paco on:

[email protected]

Dino Židov - Regional Director Central EU

Dino comes from the IAAS committee in Zagreb, Croatia.

‘Hey IAAS people,

I am Dino, the new Regional Director for Central

Europe. I am currently living and studying in Zagreb,

the capital of Croatia.

My field of study is Agroecology and I chose it because

in my opinion the food production should be primary,

but we cannot forget about our environment so we

need to find the balance between those two.

Since I joined IAAS, my student life has improved drastically because with just one event you

can learn so many new things, explore new countries, meet very interesting people and I


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consider that studying would not be as interesting as it is now with IAAS, it gives us the

opportunity to discover the world and to see things from another perspective while getting

the experience that changes as into more aware persons.’

Dino his e-mail address is: [email protected]

Hongwei Liu - Regional Director North

& East EU

Hongwei comes from the IAAS committee in Prague, Czech

Repulbic.

‘Where does our food come from ? How much do you invest in food

and what about quality and safety ? Welcome to agriculture

world. It is more diverse than you think. Let's be together, explore

the world of agricultural sciences. I'm studying agricultural

production in Czech life science university in Prague. I will be

working for the IAAS North-East Europe region. What's next we

can do to, we will do ?

Follow up our upcoming events :) !’

You can e-mail Hongwei with any comments or suggestions on:

[email protected]


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Exchange Week Zagreb:

„Green perspective of an urban area“

In the period from 10th till 17th of May IAAS Croatia organised an Exchange Week, themed as

„Green perspective of an urban area” with participants from IAAS Greece and IAAS Slovenia.

Monday was the official beginning of the event, and as such it was mostly culture oriented.

With an interesting touristic tour through the capital city of Croatia, Zagreb, we tried to present

our beautiful Homeland and its history to the participants.

In the evening we organised the Trade Fair. On every

international event, the host country, besides the biotechnical

theme of the week, presents all the varieties in the world of

food and drinks that the country has to offer, to the students

from all over the world. This year, on the Croatian table you

could find all kinds of specialities, starting with various sorts

of wines, rakijas, elderberry and nettle juices, chocolate

goodies and ending with diverse sausages, such as kulen or

cheeses, made from cow or goat milk.

On the second day, after the breakfast, we went to visit the

Botanical Garden of Faculty of Science. There, we saw a

hothouse with swamp plants where our guests could see our

authentic plant species. Because of the high temperature we

could see subtropical and tropical plants out from greenhouses. After the Botanical garden and

lunch, we paid a visit to a company „V.I.R.I.B.U.S.“. It is a fish farm

with our authentic brown trout and rainbow trout. They explained

us the whole process from growing to selling the selling point. In

the afternoon there was some free time before the evening hangout

in the office of IAAS Croatia.

In order to educate local and foreign students about beer and its

culture in Croatia, and to show that the production of beer is also a

science on its own, as well as a cultural heritage, Wednesday was a

beer day. The day began at the Faculty of Agriculture at the

University of Zagreb with a lecture given by Mr Miroslav Šuvak, co-

owner of the brewery "New Round". As an introduction to the day,

the lecture was about craft beer in which he explained to us the

historical facts as well as the economical facts and technology

behind the beer making. After the lecture we went to a Croatian pub

to have the beer tasting of the „New Round“.


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After the „New Round“ we visited the Brewery of Zagreb. Gentlemen Matko Radovčić and

Marin Levaj welcomed us at the pub „Pivana“ and guided us through the beer museum. They

held a presentation about the differences between beer production today and in the old days.

After the tour, they organised a workshop about proper beer tapping, in which every

participant had a chance to improve their tapping abilities.

The next day, in the morning we organised a lecture

on the Faculty of Agriculture about white truffles,

held by Ivana Kušan. The lecture was more based on

the physiological and morphological characteristics of

white truffles, rather than their production and

distribution, but in a subsequent conversation we got

some information related to the actual production

and distribution, such as prices, conditions and

similar topics.

After the lecture and a short hangout at the Faculty campus we began our journey to the second

destination of the day, to the company „Agroproteinka“.

In „Agroproteinka” Ana Špehar, dipl. ing., head of environmental protection, welcomed us.

After a warm greeting, Ana Špehar presented us the program of work activities and the

organisation of the Company. After the lecture we headed to the laboratory where they

demonstrated the quality testing of the fat, water and similar substances.

The lab part was followed by the field tour of the company „Agroproteinka“ which consisted of

two parts, and three categories. The final product of the processes in the company is bone flour

which is used in the production of animal food, as well in cosmetics and related fields of

technology.

After the company visit, we headed back to Zagreb. Upon the arrival, already a bit exhausted

from the trip, we went to have dinner in the Old part of the Town. In the evening, participants

had an opportunity to experience swing dancing.

On Friday, we took our guests to the tour of the Faculty

of Agriculture, and introduced them to various

departments and activities that Faculty has and is

involved with. After the lunch, we headed to the Zagreb

Zoo, where we organised a professional tour of the Park

and had a chance to meet their „residents“. Team of

educators demonstrated how to take proper care of

animals, how they feed them and animate them. We had a chance to experience the process of

making fruit and vegetable goodies for the animals, which they reward them with. We ended

the day with a walk through the beautiful park Maksimir.


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The last day, early in the morning, we headed to the Faculty, where Landscape Architecture

Student Association – USKA, held a workshop for the participants named „Seed Bombing“.

Before the workshop, USKA introduced itself to the participants through the exhibition set in

the Faculty pavilion and showed us what they have been doing for the last few years. After the

exhibition, the workshop about seed bombing began. Seed bombing or aerial reforestation is a

technique of introducing vegetation to land by throwing or dropping compressed bundles of

soil containing live vegetation, seed balls. Often, seed bombing projects are done with arid or

off-limits, for example, privately owned land.

Furthermore, we familiarized the students with one more Croatian delicates, a traditional stew.

After the lunch, the participants of the Exchange Week had a chance to experience Treasure

Hunt. In order to pass the Treasure Hunt successfully they had to solve number of tasks, such

as answering correctly to numerous questions from educational workshops during the

Exchange Week, recognizing various leaves from forest tree species, chopping logs of wood,

sawing them, digging, driving each other in wheelbase, etc.

In the evening we headed to the City, for a night tour of

the town, where the participants had a chance to say

goodbye to Zagreb, and Croatia with them.

Relations between IAAS Slovenia and IAAS Greece with

IAAS Croatia have never been better. We used the week to

plan future events and cooperation, which will continue

for many years. We enjoyed the opportunity to be hosts,

and we look forward to hosting such events in the future!


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Spring in Greece

In April, IAAS Greece had the honor to host IAASers from

Croatia, Slovenia and two guest stars from Spain and Czech

Republic.

Spring is a very good time to visit Greece. The weather is nice

but not too hot, nature is alive and Greek people hang out,

happy in the sun. So, we decided that the exchange week

would take place from the April 23th to April 30th in

northern Greece, mostly Thessaloniki and Kavala.

First, we visited a (still) small industry of hydrolyzed protein,

learning that there are more fertilizers than the classic ones.

The same day we visited an International Trade Show for

Fruits and Vegetables, where a congress ‘’The New Cherry

Season in Europe’’ have taken place.

Then, we spent the weekend in Kavala. Kavala is a town in

northern Greece, important for the history of the country, as

a “crossroad” of many cultures and for the port. But also, the

region of Kavala is well known for the agricultural and rural

development. So, we visited a cooperative where they

cultivate pomegranate trees and make juice and another one

with kiwis and asparagus. As the region is very well known

for the wine, we visited two wineries too.

As we returned to Thessaloniki, we had a tour to the

University’s practice fields, we visited an industry of feeding

stuff and “Vitro”, where plant propagation material is

produced.

The last day we visited the old town of Thessaloniki and

learnt many history details even we didn’t know with

George, a guy that organizes free walking tours

around the city.

Of course, during the week we had the chance to

enjoy Greek food and drinks, such as “gyros”

and “raki”, Greek music, sun and walks by the

sea. We hope our friends had as much fun as we

did and many ex-weeks like this to come!


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IAAS EASTERN AND SOUTHERN

AFRICA EXCHANGE WEEK

SUB-REPORT:

IAAS Kenya in collaboration with Busitema University and University of Swaziland organized

a one week exchange program from dates 22nd-28th May 2015. The youthful event under the

theme “Youth involvement in Agricultural Sustainability and food security” aimed

at bridging the gap between the professionals and students in agriculture and related

professions so as to create a smooth transition in job opportunities and agricultural

production.

The exchange week which comprised of

students from universities in Kenya

(Egerton University, Maseno University,

University of Nairobi, University of

Eldoret, Rongo University and Moi

University) and Uganda (Busitema

University {Arapai, Tororo and

Namasangali Campuses}, Busoga

University and Mountains of the Moon

University) began in Uganda’s National

Fisheries Research Institute (NaFIRI)

and ended in Self Help Africa, SHA Kenya

offices in Nairobi. Fellow students from

The University of Swaziland who were expected to attend were unable due to traveling logistics

in their country though their presentation on the above theme was presented.

At NaFiRI in Jinja Uganda, students from the mentioned universities gathered in the

conference hall as from 9am to 5pm to share ideas, experiences and innovations in agriculture

and as well as to interact with professionals from Busitema University, Ministry of Agriculture

Uganda and staff from NaFIRI. The most captivating and moving presentation was done by a

representative of post graduate students in Uganda who majored on the missing role of the

youth in agriculture in Africa resulting to poor agricultural production, poverty and chronic

malnutrition among many African countries, he cited negligence, pride and poor leadership as

the main contributors to the menaces. He however challenged the youth to come out precisely

and I identify their roles in agricultural production in Africa, he stressed on youth involvement

directly in agriculture to curb unemployment and hunger thriving in Africa. This was indeed a

relevant presentation which left the whole house in dismay.


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Other presentations were done by Dr. Winnie N. Nkalubo

on activities of NaFIRRI and opportunities available at

NaFIRRI for the graduates and students proceeding to

attachments and internships, Mr. Kennedy Ouma on

IAAS World for vice president communications,

mentioning activities of IAAS World, how to form IAAS

committees and opportunities available for members of

IAAS among others. The first day of the exchange week

ended with field excursion at NaFIRRI research project

sites and the shores of L. Victoria in Jinja.

Dr. Winnie N. Nkalubo giving a presentation about NaFIRI

Mr. Kennedy Ouma giving a presentation about IAAS World


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Still in Uganda, National Crops and Cereals Research Institute (NaCCRI) globally known for

research in Cassava was our second station the next day. Here we learned about the history of

the institution especially in its research in cassava. The enthusiastic students many of whom

were agronomy and horticulture students were able to learn the different varieties of cassava

released by the institute that endured climate, diseases and pests. Other than Cassava, NaCCRI

also thrives in research in mangoes, vegetables and cereals like maize, wheat and rice.

Lessons on cassava at NACRRI Uganda.

At NaCCRI maize plantation


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Later in the day the whole team in two buses (Egerton and Busitema University buses)

assembled at the Self Help Africa Uganda offices in Kampala for presentation on SHA. The

country director for SHA Uganda Mr Tonny Kisadha highlighted on the activities they do and

emphasized on involvement of the youth and women in most of their projects. He then

challenged the students to embrace practical agriculture for self-employment and dependence

after college. The day ended with a brief excursion in Uganda’s capital Kampala.

A team of 30 students then crossed the borders to Kenya starting at Ahero irrigation scheme

in Kisumu city instead of Maseno University who had a rather busy academic schedule. At

Ahero students were able to learn the whole chain of rice production in the scheme, challenges

faced by the many farmers and reasons behind the very few young farmers attached to the

scheme. Here too the youth were challenged to get into agriculture within the value chain and

enhance agricultural production in Africa. The instructor outlined pride and expectation of

white collar jobs by the youth as the major challenges facing youth involvement in agriculture.

An educative excursion on Lake Victoria Kenya was the climax of the day.

At Ahero Irrigation scheme learning about rice production.

IAAS Kenya University of Eldoret chapter demonstrated a high level of organization and

exhibited high professionalism in agriculture. The team began the day with meeting students

at the old library of the university. Here, around 50 students from the university attended the

meeting where a number of presentations were done. Mr. Kennedy Ouma repeated the

presentation on IAAS World on behalf of the VP Communications with an aim of reaching out

to the new members and non-members from UoE who attended. Mr John Sekajugo (Uganda)

gave a presentation on the role of the youth in agriculture highlighting opportunities available

for the youth in agriculture, challenges they face and possible remedies to such challenges. The

next presentation was done by one Mr. Collins Tweheyo, the youth representative for Uganda

on the world youth platform for water talking on the responsibilities of the youth in

safeguarding the natural resources like water bodies in Africa. Mr Bright Wekesa wound up


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the session with a presentation on post graduate programs available for graduates in

agriculture and related sciences in universities across the borders.

John Sekajugo, in black suite (coordinator Uganda) and Kennedy Ouma, far left (coordinator Kenya)

The day was summarized by a practical excursion in the students’ farms where the local

director took the whole team through various agricultural activities they do. These included

kales, traditional vegetables like amaranthas, carrots, cabbages, onions and composed manure

projects. He mentioned that the projects are solely and practical done by students (members)

during their free time. The returns are used to pay tuition fee for the needy members and

upkeep for all the members. Surplus income are reinvested in the projects and other new

enterprises. This was indeed an encouraging venture and a challenge to the other local

directors from Kenya and Uganda. The day ended at Egerton University with a social session

characterized by sharing of culture and traditional dances as well as inter country music at the

senior common room.

The last day of the exchange and the third day in Kenya started at Amiran Kenya headquarters

in Nairobi. Amiran Kenya is an agro-based company globally known for manufacturing and

sales of greenhouses and nationally known to support the youth in agriculture through their

“Farming is cool” slogan. Activities here involved an award giving ceremony for Mr and Miss

Agriculture Egerton University which they sponsored and was organized by IAAS Kenya

Egerton University chapter. This is a beauty pageant competition aimed at sensitizing youth

involvement in agriculture annually organized in Egerton University. Plans are underway to

organized Mr and Miss Agriculture Kenya later this year. The students were then addressed by

the company managing director encouraging them to get involved in agriculture as a means of

self-employment, he also outlined opportunities available at Amiran Kenya and a sister

company, Balton in Uganda for graduates.

The motivating tour in Amiran Kenya ended with an educative excursion within the company’s

stores and demonstration farms.


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To wind up the week long exchange was a visit to Self Help Africa, SHA Kenya offices in

Nairobi. As was in Uganda, the main objective for the visit was to understand SHA, its activities

and opportunities for the youth in agriculture. Most activities were similar to the case in

Uganda except for a few differences in operations and management.

The 30 students who successfully completed the exchange week got the opportunity to be

awarded a certificate of participation signed by representative for SHA in Kenya and the

managing director for Amiran Kenya while in SHA Kenya offices.

Indeed the exchange was a one motivating, encouraging, real life and empowering activity ever

organized in IAAS East Africa. IAASers globally are therefore challenged to embrace exchange

activities across the borders. In the horizon is IAAS Kenya and IAAS Finland Exchange Week,

IAAS Kenya and IAAS Zimbabwe Exchange Week and the second IAAS East Africa Conference

to be held in Uganda in October this year.

Thanks to Gorta Self Help Africa for the financial support to conduct the exchange week. The

committee is still compiling both written and video documentary of the event to submit to all

the stakeholders of the exchange week.

Report is written on behalf of the Exchange Committee for IAAS East and Southern Africa

Exchange Week to the vice president communications IAAS world.

Mr. Kennedy Ouma

National Director IAAS Kenya

And Secretary to the Organizing committee

IAAS E&S Africa Exchange Week 2015.


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IAAS ASA SASSARI

20th Birthday

20 years of us

Since its foundation in 1995, IAAS ASA

Sassari has been working hard to build a new

scenery inside the University’s framework

through the union of agricultural students in

the association. Trough the years, ASA has

been the leading actor in seminars,

congresses, meetings and other activities in

the University of Sassari helping to give birth

to other associations that nowadays are still

working. It’s been, and still it is, a school of

life for thousands of students, and a home for

all the members. That’s why we thought it

was mandatory to wish “Happy Birthday” in

the best way possible. We recollected all the

Alumni and all the Students’ Associations of

Sassari to celebrate this event for three days:

4th,7th and 8th of May 2015.


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To celebrate the 20years of friendship, work

and fun, we’ve organized a Photo exhibition

about these 20 yrs , that has lasted 5 days inside

the Central University Gardens. About 100

people, among Professors, students and

alumni, came and enjoyed the party with us.

4th of May: Photo Exhibition Inauguration

7th of May: Conference

On the 7th of May, we organized a conference

about the milk prices after the new CAP

(Common Agricultural Policy). Professors

talked about the global situation and focused

on Sardinia, whose economy’s based on animal

breeding and milk production.


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8th of May: Concert

On the 8th of May, the last day of celebration, we organized a big concert in the University

Square of Sassari. A lot of local artists have performed during the night including some bands

formed by our students and about 3thousands of people including our professors came to the

concert. It’s been a big success for us.


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International Conference on

Agricultural Higher Education in the

21st Century

IAAS was present at the International Conference on Agricultural Higher Education in the 21st

Century. An initiative of a coorperation of several orgnisations related to agricultural higher

education and sponsored by the OECD Co-operative Research Program.

The conference had as the aim to discuss with “top-level experts” the challenges agricultural

higher educations is facing this century.

As the problem is described on the website of the conference:

“Today in most developed countries, farmers are ageing and fewer and fewer young people

are interested in agricultural studies. This is an alarming issue in the OECD countries, where

agricultural knowledge is advancing significantly, but whose transfer via the higher

education system lags behind. Agricultural studies are not attractive for the new generations

of students. This raises concerns about communications, and a gap in understanding between

agriculture and society as a whole. ..... A major question ahead for all is how to manage the

sustainability of the agricultural systems; agriculture undoubtedly needs to increase its

productivity while securing the sustainability of the agro-ecosystems. We have to improve

the agricultural knowledge transfer system and adapt it to these goals, including new

strategies, techniques and incentives to encourage the introduction of production systems

and emphasize long-term sustainable goals.”


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IAAS was asked to represent the student view in the

debate the 3 days the conference lasted and in

particular also was asked to give a presentation

about the student view on the attractiveness and

employability of agricultural and related sciences.

IAAS members from literally all over the world

cooperated in this event by sharing their view on this

topic by participating in interviews with Lisanne,

Vice President of Communication.

After this their answers were bundled and a

presentation and conference paper were made. The

conference paper can be found on: http://www.iaasworld.org/agricultural-higher-education-

in-the-21st-century-student-view-on-attractiveness-employability/

From the 15-17th of June Lisanne went to Zaragoza, Spain to represent the results from the

interviews and give students in general a voice in the discussion of the future of agricultural

higher education.

The conference was successful and all attendees (very international public, experts in the field

of agricultural higher education, coming from Australia to Canada and much in between) were

very happy to see such a great input of such a diverse group of students. Thanks to all those

students who have participated in this. This paper and presentation are the amazing result of

greatness of our association!A video of the full presentation will be published online soon. If

you would like to know more about the conference, please have a look at:

http://www.iamz.ciheam.org/educagri2015/index.html

http://www.iaasworld.org/agricultural-higher-education-in-the-21st-century-student-view-on-attractiveness-employability/

http://www.iaasworld.org/agricultural-higher-education-in-the-21st-century-student-view-on-attractiveness-employability/

http://www.iamz.ciheam.org/educagri2015/index.html


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IROICA Meeting, Romania

Not only students are associating themselves, as we are doing within our

IAAS. Also people who have made the step to the working fase of their live

enjoy doing this. And to be honest, the persons presently member of IROICA do have a very

interesting job! They are all ‘International Relations Officers’ or IRO’s at the universities they

work for. Let me explain what this exactly means: IRO’s are working in the International Office

department of a university and they are putting efforts into improving the Erasmus exchange

programs, international masters, they maintain relations with other universities around the

globe, and last but not least they are very internationally minded. Probably your university or

faculty will have one of these

“IRO’s” and it might be very

interesting to get to know them

personally. So, check it out at

your university who and where

this IRO is located and go for it,

introduce yourself and the whole

IAAS Committee! Don’t worry,

they are also very eager to get to

know you! And maybe, they could

even help you with some tips or

contacts when you are trying to

organize a next IAAS event...

IAAS and IROICA have had good

contacts for the past years already and from our side we are definitely happy to have seen this

relationship getting stronger during the recent years! Every year IROICA organizes an Annual

Conference in June. Last year, in 2014, our Vice-

President of Communication, Lisanne

Meulendijks, was invited to talk shortly about

IAAS’ structure and activities. This year, IAAS

was even invited to send a speaker to give a

lecture!

Vice versa, IROICA will be given the chance to

present itself and the link they see with IAAS at

the coming IAAS World Congress.

Vincent Verdugt was that speaker this year and he is grateful to have be invited and that well

taken care of during the whole conference. Special thanks go to Matt Tips, who is presently the

President of IROICA and the local organizers of the conference at the University of Agricultural

Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.


www.iaasworld.org [email protected]

Call for Articles

Did you organize an event in your Committee and you want to

share it with IAAS World? Please send your article with pictures

to [email protected] before the 15th of August.

This IAAS Newsletter was brought to you by Lisanne Meulendijks & Vincent Verdugt.

Leuven, 17th of June 2015

http://www.iaasworld.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

IAAS World Newsletter May & June 2015