EARTH UNIVERSITY

José ZaglulJune 5, 2007

Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) Annual Meeting

MISSIONPrepare leaders with

ethical values to contribute to the

sustainable development of the humid tropics and to

construct a prosperous and just society

VISION

Our actions are directed towards

building a future in which the humid tropics and its communities

achieve social, economic and

environmental well being

• Inequity

• 39.8% poverty (ECLAC, 2006)

• Declining educational quality

• Disparities between rural and urban areas

• High unemployment among poor & youth

Latin America Today

Pillars of EARTH’s Educational Model

Ethics and positive values

Holistic educational

model

Technical and scientific knowledge

Entrepreneurial mentality

Social and environmental responsibility

Our Priority

• Personalized recruiting process

• 1200 applications per year

• 100 admitted/year

• Academic Preparation Program

Low income youth from rural areas

Financial Aid Program

Full scholarship

50%

Full tuition20%

Partial scholarship

30%

Holistic Education

HOLISTIC EDUCATIONReason, analyze and synthesizePresent alternative solutions and

improvementsCreative and critical thinking

Generalist

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTSustainable management of natural resources

Sustainable ProductionEntrepreneurial mentality and skills

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Positive values and ethics

TeamworkTolerance

Positive personal behaviorleadership

Life-long learningOral and verbal communication

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Sensitivity and commitment to community

Communication skillsSocial consciousness

Year 2 STRENGTHENING KNOWLEDGE

AND SKILLS

Sustainable production management

YEAR 3INTERACTION WITH THE

COMMUNITY Social consciousness Apply and share knowledge with

the community Integrate and apply basic

knowledge

Year 4DEMOSTRATION OF INTELLECTUAL

AND PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY Analysis and synthesis Professionalism Responsibility and independence

AGENTS OF CHANGE

Year 1KNOWLEDGE AND BASIC SKILLS

Agriculture and natural resources Complementary sciences Holistic vision Entrepreneurship Communication

Internship

EARTH Learning System• HOLISTIC LEARNING• FOCUS ON LEARNING• HIGHER LEVELS OF

LEARNING– Creativity and Innovation– Search for answers and

solutions– Critical thinking– Independent and responsible

• PROCESS– Continual and progressive– Continuous monitoring and

evaluation– Creation of opportunities for

experimentation and innovation

INTERACTIVE

MUTUAL RESPECT

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS

PROFESSOR

Facilitator of Learning

STUDENT

Active Participant

Establish behavioral objectives

Plan activities

Motivate learning

Evaluate level of learning

Seek improvements in the quality of the learning process

Focus on the process

Teamwork

Initiative and creativity

Responsibility

Identify and recognize weaknesses and strengths

Seek to improve learning

Take advantage of opportunity

The EARTH learning system

1. Work experience

• Field/farm work• Community development• Professional experience

2. Entrepreneurial project

3. Internship

4. Graduation project

Experiential learning opportunities

Planning skills

Decision making

Analysis and synthesis

Leadership skills

Responsibility

Critical and creative thinking

Development and application of knowledge, skills and attitudes

Evaluation of results

Wor

k Ex

perie

nce

Community Development

Entrepreneurial Projects Program

Cassava chips

Water Buffalo Domestication

Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Inte

rnsh

ip

Graduation Project

Graduates• 45% working in the private

sector

• 16% run own or family business

• 81% working in agriculture, nature resources or community development

• 87% working in country of origin

• 94% working in Latin AmericaOUT

COM

ES

Gaudencio Rodríguez, Class of 1999

EARTH UNIVERSITY

José ZaglulJune 5, 2007

Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) Annual Meeting