International Program

Project teams Nepal

Interest in international agricultural development work continues to be strong among AIC members. The past Canadian project coordinators for AIC's international twinning partnership program, along with former International Program Coordinator Tom Beach and Board member Lianne Dwyer, have been meeting by conference call monthly to identify and discuss opportunities for new programs or projects.

A call for concept proposals to support new research to improve food production and distribution and the health and nutritional dimensions of food security in developing countries, was recently announced for the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).  AIC is interested in this opportunity and is seeking to work with other Canadian organizations or institutions with complementary skills, experience and connections, particularly those interested in collaboration on a concept note on replicating and increasing the use of BMPs proven in previous projects and the development of new BMPs.  If you are interested in learning more, or have partner suggestions, please contact Frances Rodenburg at the AIC office.    

Letter to Minister Ritz

AIC and 12 other Canadian scientific societies have jointly written to federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Gerry Ritz, to express concern regarding new Treasury Board restrictions on travel for federal government employees.   The impact of the policy will be substantial reductions in attendance at conferences by federal government scientists, and an impact on the business of Canadian scientific societies. Our letter requests that annual meetings of the Canadian scientific societies be exempt from the travel policy to allow greater participation by AAFC scientists.   

AIC 2013 AGM

The 2013 AGM will take place by teleconference. Details will be sent to members in the near future.  

Accreditation Report

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One PhD level and two Masters level students in agricultural business, economics, finance and trade programs are the 2013 recipients of the Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundation (AICF) Douglas McRorie Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship, which is made available through the support of the RBC Foundation, was established by the AICF in 1990 to honour past-president and agri-finance innovator Douglas McRorie, PAg, FAIC.   Mr. McRorie served as Vice President of Agriculture for the Royal Bank of Canada and was a respected agricultural leader in Canada.  

Valeria Carla Castellanos Hurtado, a doctoral candidate in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, received the $5,000 PhD level scholarship.   Ms. Castellanos Hurtado's dissertation research is focused on the environmental impact in Canada of agricultural trade liberalization and price dynamics.   She also participates on other research projects, including one on gender and nutrition in agricultural communities of Peru.

Ishrat Gadhok, a student in the professional Masters of Food and Resource Economics program at the University of British Columbia, received a $3,000 scholarship at the Masters level. Her studies focus on applied economics, policy analysis and agribusiness management in the food and resources sectors. The analytical tools provided by her graduate coursework have allowed her to assess and evaluate real-world issues in international development.

Jessica Kelly, also a $3,000 Masters level award recipient, is an MSc student at the University of Guelph completing a collaborative degree in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics and International Development. Ms. Kelly is conducting her research on the farmers' share of the food dollar in Canada, using new techniques recently developed by the United States Department of Agriculture.  She hopes to be involved with international agricultural development initiatives in the future.    

Click here to read more about these exceptionally accomplished students.

The Agricultural Institute of Canada Foundation is a federally registered charitable organization whose mission is to inspire knowledge and understanding of the importance of sustainable agriculture to society.  

Prepared by Brenda Millar, AICF Board Liaison  

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