06 Feb 2013|Noida | Amity University, Sector- 125, Noida
“Global linkages indispensable for sustainable development of agriculture” stresses Dr. Philippe Choquet- Scientist and President, GCHERA at Amity
Amity Science, Technology and Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) organized a lecture on “Knowledge Management: The French System and the GCERA (Global Confederation of Higher Education and Research Associations for the Agriculture and Life Sciences) Initiative” by Dr. Philippe Choquet- Scientist and President, GCHERA at Amity University, Campus, Sector- 125, Noida.
Dr. Choquet and Dr. R P Singh- Executive Secretary, Indian Agricultural Universities Association were welcomed by Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group and Dr. Sunil Saran- Sr. Vice Chairman, Amity Science Technology and Innovation Foundation(ASTIF).
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Dr. Sunil Saran said that the growth and development of agriculture has become matter of concern globally. Developed countries think of agriculture in terms of health, nutrition and quality of life whereas developing nations like India think of agriculture in terms of food security and poverty alleviation. It is difficult to reach global consensus in this area. He appreciated the immense work GCHERA is doing with over 700 Agriculture Universities and Institutions across the globe in improving the agriculture sector across the globe
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Philippe Choquet- Scientist and President, GCHERA gave a brief introduction of the Higher Education system in France with special reference to the agricultural studies. Dr. Choquet shared that higher education sector across the globe has been witnessing re-organisation, aiming to become truly globalised. France also wants to globalize its higher education sector in an effort to integrate into world education but without loosing its native competitiveness. He stressed that French Higher Education System is nice but at the same time, complicated to understand. It comprises of Universities, Lycées and Grandes Ecoles. He briefed that Grandes Ecoles are relatively small and highly selective "schools" which provide higher education to the selected students right after high school up to the Masters Level. Unlike the American Education System where most of the research is undertaken in Universities, French Universities are not so global in terms of technology and business.
Dwelling on the agriculture studies in France, Dr. Philippe Choquet stressed that in France, agriculture studies are undertaken in "Grandes Ecoles” which are total 19 in number and each "Grandes Ecole” has not more than 600- 700 students. These nineteen institutions (including 12 public institutions and 7 private) offer professional bachelors, engineering degrees, master degrees and PhDs in the field of agriculture. During the three years of Bachelor Studies, fundamentals of Science are taught thoroughly to the students and specialization comes at the Masters’ level, which makes students understand the subject in a better manner.
Talking about the strong industry exposure provided by "Grandes Ecoles”, Dr. Choquet shared that every year, students in "Grandes Ecoles” are expected to do up to 6 months of compulsory internship in industry, which enables them to decide which area they want to specialize in. The students are encouraged to go abroad for at least a semester to make them acquainted with the global trends and this academic mobility necessitates the development of International network with other countries.
Dr. Choquet remarked that French Higher Education System because of its small size, has the advantage of flexibility and adaptability. They try to compensate the small size of French Higher Education System through strategic alliances with other institutions in France and globally.
Appraising the gathering with the objective behind the establishment of GCHERA in 1999, Dr. Choquet stated that the consortium was formed as a result of shared concern for the future of the planet and a conviction that higher education in agriculture should play a leadership role in solving problems associated with food security and environmental sustainability. The consortium aims to include and serve institutions with programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and natural resources management, including the biological, physical and social sciences dimensions of these fields.
Expressing his gratitude to the speaker, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group opined that networking and inter disciplinary research is the future of agriculture across the globe. He expressed his desire to develop a similar kind of extensive network of agricultural intuitions across the world under Amity to promote mutual growth and development for all the member nations.
The lecture was followed by an Interactive session of the speaker with the Scientists, Researchers, Head of the Institutions of Amity University mooting several potential areas of collaboration between Amity and GCHERA including horticulture, organic agriculture, marine sciences and other areas.