Online courses on food security

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly deliver a series of online Food Security courses, as part of the accredited Master Food and Agribusiness (MSc) degree.

The Anhalt University Food and Agribusiness Master program covers aspects of production, processing and distribution in the whole food chain including technology, trade, quality management and consumer affairs.

The Food Security Distance Learning courses were developed over several years by FAO, within the context of the EC/FAO Programme entitled: Food Security Information for Decision Making, with funding from the European Union.

The EC/FAO courses provide students with a holistic understanding of the food security concepts and frameworks, and the knowledge required to assess and analyze food security. The EC/FAO materials have been incorporated in the Anhalt University online learning platform and will be further expanded through recommended readings, assignments and case studies.

The Anhalt University students will have the opportunity to work directly on the applicationbased innovative projects with the leading agribusiness companies and governmental institutions in the region, use the university labs and test fields, and participate in collaborative networks, based on international partnerships with 130 institutions from 80 countries.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive an FAO-Anhalt Joint University Certificate, which is fully transferable to the Anhalt University Master Food and Agribusiness (MSc).

This partnership effectively combines FAO's experience and knowledge in developing high quality learning resources with Anhalt University's academic rigour and technological capacity. This collaboration therefore, builds on the strengths of both institutions taking full advantage of digital technologies to provide learning opportunities to professionals around the world.

Team work for global education

"We see this collaboration as an important contribution to innovative teaching and research at an international level", said Prof. Dr. Dieter Orzessek, president of Anhalt University. "Sharing knowledge, methodologies and practical approaches is a way of participating to the global food security network."

Prof. Dr. Anton Mangstl, Director of the FAO Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension noted that the contribution of universities to knowledge transfer is crucial to the improvement of the food security situation.

Mrs. Cristina Petracchi, the coordinator of the EC/FAO distance learning component, underlined that knowledge transfer, trough an open education that integrates new ideas and new technologies, is fundamental to human resource development.

Prof. Dr. Kashtanova, the Food and Agribusiness Master programme leader said that given the complexity of food security it is important to join efforts, expertise and resources in the areas of agribusiness, policy and technology. In fact, working in global teams is becoming a priority to ensure food security education.