Study Mode:
Full time: 2 Years
Part time: 4 Years
Delivery: Blended
(online & in person)
Administrative Unit:
Department of Food Production
Email: food.production@sta.uwi.edu
Phone: 1(868) 662 2002 ext. 83989
Programme Overview
This unique MSc, which is a collaboration among the three UWI campuses, offers students the multi disciplinary approach to address global food security issues, as well as giving them an understanding of technical, agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors that influence food security. Upon completion, they will be equipped with the requisite knowledge and key analytical and communication skills to contribute to ongoing efforts to achieve and sustain food security during the 21st century across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
As Small Island Developing States, it is of vital importance that we increase food production significantly over the next 50 years, while also decreasing our dependency on imported foods and inputs such as livestock feeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, in an effort to achieve a more sustainable agri-food system. Global crises, including pandemics, highlight the urgent need to train thinkers and development workers to work towards national and regional food security. With this in mind, the aim of the programme is to produce/train a cadre of professionals in the Caribbean region who would be able to:
- Conceptualise and guide the development of sustainable agri-food systems;
- Champion among Government agencies and international bodies, as well as the private sector, the issues related to food and nutrition security to effect changes;
- Facilitate the development of appropriate regulations/policy/legislative initiatives to ensure food and nutrition security;
- Develop and foster collaborations with developed countries and institutes of global excellence, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and development of co-operation in the related field;
- Expand and build human and institutional capacity to address problems of food and nutrition insecurity regionally and internationally;
- Improve nutrition and health outcomes of vulnerable segments (children and women) of the populations, through availability of diverse, safe and nutritious foods;
- Adopt international standards of food safety and quality for a healthy, market-oriented food supply chain globally;
- Facilitate through knowledge transfer, an increase in the rate of technology adoption by small farmers experiencing common agricultural challenges;
- Integrate resources and develop strong working collaborations within and among the UWI campuses towards realising the ideals of its strategic plans, highlighting food production and food security
Programme Breakdown
CORE COURSES
SEMESTER 1
AGBU 6402 Food Policy and Food Security
AGRI 6500 Current Issues in Food Security
AGRI 6502 Sustainable Food Production
AGRI 6503 Resilience and Food Security Risk Management
AGRI 6504 Climate Smart Technologies for Food Security
SEMESTER 2
AGBU 6002 International Trade and Marketing
AGBU 6401 Economics of Food Security
FOSQ 6006 International Trade and Agri-Food Legislation
ENVT 6250 Tools for Environmental and Food Systems Analysis
SEMESTER 3 – (SUMMER) (IN PERSON)
AGRI 6505 Food Security Study Experience
Entry Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to the MSc. shall be a minimum GPA of 3.0, or a Lower Second-Class Honours degree or its equivalent, unless the Campus Committee in any particular case otherwise decides.
The Department shall consider on a case-by-case basis admission into the MSc programme, contingent on the overall academic strength, accomplishments, research strength and publications and experience.
Qualifications for Admission
The following are eligible to apply for registration for a Graduate Diploma or degree:
(a) Graduates of The University of the West Indies;
(b) Persons who possess a degree from an approved university;
(c) Persons holding such other suitable qualifications and/or experience as the Board for Graduate Studies and Research may approve; and
(d) A first degree from a recognised University in Agriculture, Environmental, or other Natural Sciences, as well as Social Sciences (such as Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Rural Development).
Specially Admitted Students
In addition to the persons mentioned above, the Vice-Chancellor may also admit to the University as specially admitted students, for limited periods, such persons as he may deem fit. Such persons are deemed eligible for special admissions:
(a) Persons sponsored by the Governments or other employers to read certain courses, not for credit towards a University qualification, under a special arrangement.
(b) Any individual who wishes to pursue and develop a particular area of intellectual interest.
(c) Graduates of The University of the West Indies or other approved universities who wish to pursue a particular course or courses.
Applications for special admission must be made on the appropriate forms. Such applicants should normally possess an undergraduate degree. Those students who do not satisfy the requirements for entry to the University should provide satisfactory evidence of their previous studies. In appropriate cases, they may be required to sit for a special entrance examination. In the assessment of the qualifications of applicant’s due allowance shall be made for their maturity. Such students shall be required to comply with the University Regulations for students as are in force.