ÎÞÂ붯»­

Graduates ‘united by a common vision’ to transform communities through sustainable agriculture

Posted 16 July

Graduates from a transformational short course which reshapes communities in Africa and Asia have been ‘united by a common vision’ after completing their studies. 

The graduates are the latest of more than 270 students to complete the course in sustainable agriculture, sponsored by theÌýÌýScholarship Fund (MPSF) and run at ÎÞÂ붯»­ in Shropshire. 

Each student comes from a charity or organisation in Africa or Asia and marks the end of their studies by giving a presentation about how they will apply what they have learned in their communities back home. 

They then take part in a formal graduation ceremony with ÎÞÂ붯»­ Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan, Harper Adams staff, and representatives of both the Marshal Papworth Fund and their sponsoring charities or organisations. 

At this year’s ceremony, Dr Modupe Sodamola, Dean of Agriculture at the Federal College of Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria, gave an address of thanks on behalf of her fellow students. 

She said: “Today is far more than the conclusion of an academic programme: it is a celebration of knowledge, transformation, collaboration and renewed purpose. 

“It marks the successful completion of an extraordinary learning journey that has challenged us intellectually, strengthened our professional capacity, and inspired us to become more effective leaders and change makers within the agricultural sector. 

“Coming from diverse countries across Africa and Asia, we arrived at ÎÞÂ붯»­ with different experiences and perspectives.  

“However, through this remarkable programme, we have become united by a common vision – to advance sustainable agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of our respective nations.” 

Each participating student undertakes a six-week online course before travelling to the UK and making their way to Shropshire to begin their intensive 10-week studies in person.Ìý 

Professor Sloan told this year’s graduates: “Those ten weeks are the beginning of a journey – and the start of what I hope will be a lifelong relationship between you and the Marshal Papworth Fund, but also by you and the University. 

“I am always moved and affected by the scholars we see on this particular course.  

“The experience you bring, the insight you bring, the courage you bring  and the tenacity you bring, to lift yourself up, out of your jobs, out of your communities, away from your families and to come to a different place is not any easy thing to do and I have great admiration for you.” 

With Harper Adams set to mark its 125th anniversary as an institution later this year, Professor Sloan noted the course embodied the generosity of spirit which made the University special. 

He added: “I am constantly amazed at the generosity that people demonstrate with this course in terms of the funding they have, or the time they will give, in order to make sure that everybody has a better future.  

“This year, we will celebrate 125 years of Harper Adams as an institution – and that started with the generosity of someone, it started with the generosity of Thomas Harper Adams. 

“He made a commitment in the late 1800s to an institution which would thrive and constantly ensures people have the knowledge and the skills needed for an agricultural system that both looks after our natural resources - and continues to feed the world’s population.” 

Professor Sloan thanked each of the students for their work on the programme, as well as Harper Adams staff and Marshal Papworth fund representatives - including Senior Lecturer in Sub-Saharan and Tropical AgricultureÌýEd Mashatise, Taught Postgraduate Programmes ManagerÌýDr Mitch Crook and Sandra Lauridsen, co-ordinator for the Marshal Papworth Fund. 

This thanks was echoed by Tom Arthey, Chairman of the Marshal Papworth Fund, who told the ceremony: “This a bittersweet day for us. 

“It is bitter because it is the end of the ten weeks with us, and we have loved having you here in the UK and seeing your journey develop; but we also love coming to see the output of the 10 weeks as well, the presentations you have given and how you have grown throughout the course – and to see how that learning is being planned into what you will do when you go home. 

“It isn’t however the end of life with the Marshal Papworth Fund – we want you, of course, to stay connected to us for years to come!” 

To find out more about supporting the Marshal Papworth Fund contact Co-ordinator Sandra Lauridsen by email atÌýslauridsen@eastofengland.org.ukÌý or by calling 07764628683.ÌýÌý 

The Fund’s website can be found atÌýÌý