24th Annual Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education - March 10 - 15, 2008

Global Entrepreneurship in International Agricultural and Extension Education

J.S. Perret, B.K. Singh, R.O. Russo, C. Demerutis, J.M. Crdoba, J. Tejada, S. Thornton, R. Botero, I. Alvarado, E. Castro, C. Duran, P. Bidegaray
EARTH University, Costa Rica

As graduates are increasingly expected to weather multiple career changes, it is In a continuous search for innovation in education and community development,
imperative for Universities to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning, strengthen EARTH University launched a new academic
students' thinking and problem-solving skills, and increase their adaptability. program that emphasizes:

A systemic approach hopes that by "totally rethinking the very Living with families in local communities
structure of the education system, Universities will be better Participating in community outreach
prepared to meet the needs of the communities in which our Working with local companies
graduates live and work. University as reference source

This transformation integrates the mission of EARTH University: Social Awareness and adaptability
To prepare leaders with ethical values to contribute to the sustainable development Self-learning habits
of the humid tropics and to construct a prosperous and just society Applied problem solving skills
The plan EARTH-La Flor also integrates the specific objectives of 3rd year: Awareness to new realities of the tropics
First year: Acquisition of Knowledge and basic skills
Second year: Continuation of knowledge and skill development
Third year: Community interaction (Foment social awareness, Duration: 2 days/ week
apply and share knowledge with communities, Integrate and Goal: Developing real-life problem solving skills
apply basic knowledge) & professional interactions with mentor
Fourth year : Demonstration of intellectual and professional capabilities

Working in
Objectives: companies
1. Strengthening community conscience and adaptability
2. Fomenting self-learning
3. Strengthening applied skills for problem solving
4. Enlarging horizon of technical learning & practice
5. Exposing students to new realities

During an intensive 7 week cycle

EXP301
W.1 W.2 W.3 W.4 W.5 W.6 W.7 W.8 Living in the
Orientation -
Debriefing & community
sharing with other
EARTH Campus
Typical Week student groups
& La Flor
Durations: 7 days/week
Day 1 Day a 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Week-End Back to Goal: Sharing experiences with Community
Case Studies Community Service Free Time & University families development
Obj. 1-2-3-4-5 Obj. 1-3-5 Personal Initiative
Communication & Self-Learning Obj. 1
Knowledge Coop. Duration: 1 day/week Duration: 2 days / week
Workshop with Professor from EARTH Univ.
Goals: Back to the source Goals: Social awareness
Video Conference
Interaction between peers for peer interactions & through interactions with local
Obj. 2-3-4-5 guided discovery organizations