The Science and Technology Backyard (STB) master program for
Africa (Africa-STB) is initiated by China Agricultural University based on
the ten-years’ practice in China. It has demonstrated considerable
success in increasing crop production with high resource use efficiency, while
also empowering smallholder farmers. After 10 years of
experimentation, more than 100 STBs were established in China’s
villages. Many NGOs (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World
Bank, etc.) are interested in transferring STBs to Africa and setting up
the suitable ones in African countries. The program
will introduce a novelty model of transferring STB to Africa by mobilizing
multi-sector’s advantages, including the power of governments, enterprises and
knowledge hubs in Africa.
Objectives
To develop technology innovation and knowledge transfer in
rural area with the STB model and empower smallholder farmers in Africa. The
sub-objectives are as follows:
(1) To develop a novelty model of conducting technology
innovation in Africa’s rural area and make knowledge localized to Africa;
(2) To develop a new model of knowledge transfer for
empowering smallholder farmers and to enhance agriculture transforming towards
sustainable intensification in Africa;
(3) To foster high-level young people
working in agriculture for sustainable development.
Working plan of the program
The key point of this proposal is combined the talent
training in China and STB transfer in African countries. 30
master students will be recruited from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia,
Mozambique, Zambia, Nigeria, and, Burkina Faso in 2019 Semester.
The “1+1+1” training arrangement will be employed for
these students. In the first year, the students should stay in China for theory
learning, courses and practical skill from STBs. The students will master the
basic skills of agronomy and propose how to build a STB in Africa.
In the second year, these students will go to
African countries to build a new STB with the help of supervisors, local
government, company and NGOs (BMF, etc.). They will make investigation, do
field trials and service to local farmer based on program and local conditions.
And they will get some data from farmer survey and field trails in farmers’
field for their thesis. In the third year, the students will go back to
China and finish their thesis. After graduated from CAU, they will go back and
help to push agriculture transformation in Africa.
Training Courses
Some courses, compulsory and elective, will be
provided for these 30 M.A. students
Compulsory courses: Chinese, China’s culture, etc.
Elective courses: Nutrient management, crop science,
etc.
Scholarship
This is a full scholarship which covers tuition fees,
accommodation (in campus dormitory (a twin room)), stipend, comprehensive
medical insurance (Please visit http://www.csc.edu.cn/studyinchina or http://www.campuschina.org and
refer to Comprehensive Insurance & Protection Scheme for Foreigners Staying
in China for insurance policy.). International travel cost will be burned by
the applicant.
Note: The final approval of this scholarship
application is subject to the final evaluation of the Chinese Scholarship
Council (CSC).
Criteria and Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
(1) be a citizen of a country other than the People’s
Republic of China, and be in good health;
(2) be a bachelor’s degree holder under the age of
35 when applying for master’s degree programs;
(3) Applicant has relatively strong academic background
in the field he/she intends to apply.
(4) Majoring in Agronomy, Plant Protection,
Environmental Science, Agricultural Resources, Agricultural Economy, Soil
Science, Crop Cultivation, Horticulture (Olericulture, Pomology), Plant
Nutrition, and so on.
(5) Certification of English Proficiency: The
applicants should have an excellent English proficiency to be able to
accomplish the study. The TOEFL score of 80 points at least, or IELTS score at
least 6.0, or other relevant certificates of English as the working and
learning language for university study.
Application Procedure
(1) Complete the online application procedure at CGS
Information Management System for International Students (Visit http://www.campuschina.org and
click “Application Online” to log in), submit online the completed Application
Form for Chinese Government Scholarship, and print a hard copy. Please
type in agency No. 10019 for CAU and choose Program
Type B.
(2) CAU Application Form for International Students
(Visit http://apply.cau.edu.cn to
log in), submit online the completed;
(3) Please keep tracking your application status after
submission;
(4) Contact Information: Ms. DU Xiaoyu, International
Student Scholarship Officer, cauie@cau.edu.cn further questions.
(5) The deadline to receive the
application documents is: June 30 of 2021.
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