Article by Laina Schneider

This month, innovATE spoke with Dr. Maria Elisa Christie, an expert on gender, to learn about her perspective and experiences in agricultural education and training and development.

“My life and work are intimately related. I have always been able to work with what interested me, which is women’s stories,” says Dr. Maria Elisa Christie, Director of Women and Gender in International Development at the Office of International Research, Education and Development.

Christie has had a diverse career working on women and gender issues globally with a variety of development, research, and non-governmental agencies, as well as governments in the U.S. and Mexico. She has conducted research in countries such as Bolivia, Kenya, Senegal, Nepal and Uganda to advocate for women around the world. Earlier this week Christie spoke with Laina Schneider, innovATE research and communications assistant, about her career, book, and future aspirations. Continue reading >

Article by Wangui Gichane and Edin Simms

“It was just one of those weeks. After months of preparation for an international conference in South Sudan on agricultural education in post-conflict environments, the event was called off due to political instability,” said Tom Hammett, director of the Innovation for Agricultural Training and Education (innovATE) program.

“We didn’t want to lose the opportunity to come together, so we decided to hold the workshop in Nairobi, Kenya instead. Then the international terminal at the airport there caught on fire. So the workshop was moved again to Kampala, Uganda. The third time was finally the charm! I can tell you that the meeting was worth all of the delays and setbacks.” Continue reading >

Article by Laina Schneider and Wangui Gichane

In Uganda, the rapid increase in production of crops like coffee and maize is creating heightened demand for professionals all along the agricultural value chain. To meet this demand, Makerere University’s Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics has been tasked with providing appropriate courses to ensure that graduates develop strong economic and analytical skills so that they can fill these roles. However, some of the programs are falling short. Continue reading >

Article by Edin Simms and Laina Schneider

Earlier in September, innovATE caught up with S.K. De Datta, an international agricultural expert, to learn about his work in agricultural research and education.

“My philosophy in life is to have a passion to excel so that your work benefits others,” says S.K. De Datta, retired associate vice president for international affairs and former director of the Office of International Research, Education, and Development.

De Datta, a rare combination of visionary and pragmatist, has devoted his life to battling food insecurity. He has done some other extraordinary things along the way as well. On a recent trip to Blacksburg, De Datta spoke with Edin Simms, program assistant for InnovATE, about his personal and professional accomplishments, life philosophy, and perspective on international development. Continue reading >

Article by Drew Knapp

“A goat with many owners never gets fed.” So says Father Joseph Philippe, a Haitian priest who visited Blacksburg this week to sign a memorandum of understanding with Virginia Tech, taking advantage of the occasion to speak with students about service learning opportunities in Haiti.

Father Joseph has dedicated his life to helping the poor of Haiti help themselves. He is the founder of the University of Fondwa (UNIF) in Fondwa, Haiti (which offers degree programs in vet science, agriculture, and business); the Association of Peasants of Fondwa (APF); and co-founder of FONKOZE-HAITI, an organization self-labeled the “alternative bank for the organized poor.” A Haitian priest, Father Joseph studied at the Chicago Theological Union and the Centre Lebret in Paris. Continue reading >