UPEI formalizes relationship with Farmers Helping Farmers
Six students to intern in Kenya this summer
University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) President Wade MacLauchlan and Jeff Wichtel, president of the PEI-based non-governmental organization, Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a long-standing, informal relationship between the two organizations that spans a decade.
The five-year agreement especially refers to initiatives related to UPEI's mission of education, research, and service in the areas of Kenya in which FHF has projects, and that will further the internationalization of UPEI programs.
'Farmers Helping Farmers is pleased to enter into a memorandum of agreement with UPEI. Not only does it solidify our already-strong connection, but it will facilitate the development of new ways in which to collaborate and ultimately further the achievement of our goals in East Africa,' said Wichtel.
MacLauchlan said, 'UPEI is committed to enhancing our partnerships with great international development organizations, and we are especially proud to be building on long-standing ties with FHF. Having this MOU to outline and define areas of mutual interest demonstrates our commitment in a concrete way.'
One example of an existing UPEI-FHF initiative that will benefit from the MOU is the CIDA-funded international development project dubbed ‘Students for Development.' UPEI, in partnership with FHF and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), will send 23 student interns to Kenya over four years. This year, three nursing students, one biology student, and two family and nutritional sciences students will spend 90 days in Kenya focusing on securing the future of children and youth, increasing food security, and creating sustainable economic growth. Upon the students' return to Canada, they will engage fellow students and Island communities by sharing their Kenyan experiences through a number of activities.
'These partnerships provide a life-changing experience to the student-interns,' MacLauchlan added. 'In addition, UPEI, FHF, other partner organizations, and communities in Kenya and Prince Edward Island benefit from this collaborative experience.'
The MOU also sets out a plan to partner on the design and implementation of educational programs and research projects, including the development of formal funding proposals for them, and to share technical expertise. Other areas of mutual interest that have been identified in the document include agriculture, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, research methodology, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.
About Farmers Helping Farmers
FHF is an organization of community-minded volunteers based in Prince Edward Island. Its mission is to partner with East African farm groups to improve agricultural production as a foundation for sustainable rural development. Together with its East African partners, FHF develops practical projects with small-scale farmers, primarily women, based on direct person-to-person interaction in the rural communities. Project goals include enhanced economic and food security, education, housing and/or health and well-being of members of the partner communities, and increased awareness among Canadians of the development issues faced by East African farming families.
About the University of Prince Edward Island
UPEI, founded on the tradition of liberal education, exists to encourage and assist people to acquire the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary for critical and creative thinking, and prepare them to contribute to their own betterment and that of society through the development of their full potential. To accomplish these ends, the University is a community of scholars whose primary tasks are to teach and to learn, to engage in scholarship and research, and to offer service for the benefit of Prince Edward Island and beyond.
-30-
