{"id":42,"date":"2020-03-04T22:03:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T02:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/ffa\/message-dean\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T16:05:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T20:05:31","slug":"message-dean","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/ffa\/message-dean\/","title":{"rendered":"Message from the Dean"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.0&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"deanpic\" style=\"float: left; padding-right: 10px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/ffa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_9641-scaled.jpg\" width=\"300\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1535 alignnone size-full\" \/><br \/>\nProf. Mark Wuddivira (PhD)<br \/>\nDEAN<\/div>\n<p>On behalf of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), I am thrilled to welcome you. Your enthusiasm for our dynamic programmes and your eagerness to work with our esteemed faculty and staff set you on the path to success.<br \/>\nThe importance of agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability has never been more evident. In a world facing geopolitical instability, and the escalating impacts of climate change, the threat of hunger and poor health outcomes loom larger than ever. Strengthening agri-food systems to ensure food and nutrition security, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions, is an urgent priority. As future leaders in this field, you will play a pivotal role in building resilient, sustainable food systems, advancing environmental stewardship, and enhancing disaster risk resilience. At the FFA, you are positioning yourselves as the next generation of experts capable of addressing these challenges, especially within the unique context of our Large Ocean Small Island States (LOSIS). <\/p>\n<p>Through our departments, you will develop cutting-edge knowledge, research expertise, and technical skills tailored to meet both local and global demands. Our programmes integrate innovation, technology, and sustainability, preparing you to lead in an ever-evolving field.<br \/>\nWe are dedicated to shaping you into ethical, analytical, and entrepreneurial professionals with strong critical thinking and communication skills. As you immerse yourself in rigorous academic training, take pride in your journey, knowing that with dedication and expert mentorship, you will emerge as highly skilled leaders ready to make a meaningful impact. <\/p>\n<p>This booklet contains vital information on Faculty regulations, details on our programmes, and other useful resources. Our competent staff and departmental offices are there to further provide guidance on specific requirements.  <\/p>\n<p>Let this year be one of academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries, and lasting connections. The FFA is committed to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring a fulfilling and transformative academic experience. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s to a successful and inspiring 2025-2026 academic year! [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prof. Mark Wuddivira (PhD) DEAN On behalf of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), I am thrilled to welcome you. Your enthusiasm for our dynamic programmes and your eagerness to work with our esteemed faculty and staff set you on the path to success. The importance of agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<div style=\"width:100%;\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"deanpic\" style=\"float:left;padding-right: 10px;\">\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/ffa\/sites\/default\/files\/ffa\/deanganpat.PNG\"\/>\r\nProf. Wayne Ganpat (PhD)\r\nDEAN\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"deanmessage\">I extend my warmest welcome to you! For all of us, lecturers, administrators and other members of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), we are indeed thrilled to have you here.\r\nIn the coming weeks, as you get to know the campus and the people who work here, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the astounding array of resources that have been marshaled to support your development as responsible and independent human beings. Use these resources fully and wisely. If you do, I am sure that your experience at the UWI will be even better that you anticipated.\r\n\r\nThe Faculty offers its programmes from three departments: Agricultural Economics and Extension, Geography and Food Production, with very strong inter-departmental cooperation. Programmes are packaged in a flexible manner to allow you the freedom to pursue programme\r\ncombinations of your choice in order for you to realize your dream career. The curricula are regularly updated and revised to keep pace with the changing requirements for skill sets and competencies and ever expanding knowledge and technological bases. National and Regional Food Security, Renewable Energy, Environment and Climate Change issues are some of the most pressing global challenges of this era and the FFA is actively addressing these issues.\r\n\r\nThe UWI and FFA\u2019s rules, regulations, procedures and processes are online. The booklet contains FFA\u2019s regulations governing each programme. If you need further elaboration and\/or further information specific to a programme of interest, you may visit the office of the Head of the Department where the programme resides and\/or contact the Deputy Dean, Teaching, Learning and Student Development who can be reached in the Faculty Dean\u2019s Office.\r\n\r\nYour development will not be confined to academics. We have several clubs and student organizations \u2013 so no matter what your interests are, there\u2019s a place for you. And if there isn\u2019t, you can create one! Be bold. Be imaginative. You are destined to be our next leaders, whether it\u2019s by conquering climate change, or developing a new crop variety. We want you to become leaders who succeed by examining facts, who understand complexity and who work to bridge differences. You will come to understand how living in a community of peers with ideas, cultures and backgrounds quite different from your own can enrich and broaden your understanding of the world and help you define the place that you want to take in society.\r\n\r\nI can guarantee you that your years here will fly by \u2013 and that the amount of change and growth you see in yourselves will be astonishing.\r\n\r\nYou \u2013 the students \u2013 are the most important part of a university. You represent future generations that are needed to tackle the difficult and complex challenges ahead; whether national or global. As with all things, you\u2019ll get out of this experience what you put into it. So, give it all you\u2019ve got. We stand ready to support you as best as we can. Have a wonderful 2019-2020 academic year with us!\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"dipi_cpt_category":[],"difl_page_category":[],"class_list":["post-42","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>Message from the Dean - Faculty of Food and Agriculture<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sta.uwi.edu\/ffa\/message-dean\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Message from the Dean - Faculty of Food and Agriculture\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Prof. Mark Wuddivira (PhD) DEAN On behalf of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), I am thrilled to welcome you. 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