CATIE Graduate School Inaugurates Academic Cycle 2024-2025

• The cohort comprises 38 individuals from 16 countries who will undertake studies in four on-site master's programs focusing on sustainable agroforestry, forests, climate change, and watershed management.

The CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) celebrated the inauguration ceremony of the 2024-2025 academic cycle of its Graduate School on March 8th.

The official event took place in the Ex-Directors' Room of the Henry A. Wallace Building, with the participation of faculty members and 38 students who embark on their journey towards academic excellence and contribution to green and inclusive sustainable development.

Diversity is the hallmark of this cohort, consisting of 24 women and 14 men from 16 different countries, who not only enrich the academic environment but also promote knowledge exchange and experiences that will enhance their education.

For this reason, the Graduate School works to ensure equal and equitable access to education, providing equal opportunities for both women and men to advance in their postgraduate studies.

This was demonstrated during the seventy-eighth graduation ceremony of the school the previous year; when out of 72 graduates, 41 were women and 31 were men.

During the ceremony, Dr. Mariela Leandro, Dean of the Graduate School, and Engineer María José Borda, Representative of the Student Council, shared welcoming messages for all present, highlighting the importance of commitment and dedication on this educational journey.

"This year, our School welcomes a student community with a high representation of women in person. This is of great value and pride, especially because today we commemorate International Women's Day. We continue to close gaps!" emphasized Leandro.

María José Borda highlighted the transformative experience they are about to embark on in their master's programs. "Beyond formal education, CATIE offers a diverse and multicultural environment that will enrich their lives. Here, they will have the opportunity to meet and learn from people from different countries, cultures, and experiences, providing them with invaluable global perspective."

In the weeks leading up to the event, the CATIE Communication team captured some testimonials from student attendees:

A New Academic Cycle

El Dr. Luis Ernesto Pocasangre Enamorado, Director General of CATIE, who formally inaugurated the academic cycle, urged them to make the most of this educational experience and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and sustainability in their respective fields.

"I congratulate you for being here; I want to start by telling you that you have made one of the best decisions by choosing CATIE. From here, individuals will emerge whose impact will be reflected in ministries of Agriculture and Environment, as well as in international organizations and research centers. It is very commendable to graduate from the first agricultural institution on the American continent," he pointed out.

Pocasangre emphasized that on this March 8th, CATIE honors its commitment to women's rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He listed the advantages of studying at CATIE framed within the institution's internationality and regionalism as a breeding ground for opportunities.

"I have always said that the best teachers are researchers, and this is a Center that possesses that characteristic. Our faculty consists of people with experience in research and teaching."

Another advantage of studying at CATIE is the contact they will have with the Latin American and Caribbean region to address issues in sustainable, green, and inclusive development. Not only here but also in other tropical regions of Africa and Asia, as agriculture specialists.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in seminars organized by CATIE, featuring scientific luminaries. 

In this cohort, four on-site master's degrees offered by CATIE have been opened:

• Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture
• Management and Conservation of Tropical Forests and Biodiversity
• Economics, Development and Climate Change
• Management and Comprehensive Watershed Management.

Many of the students arriving at CATIE in 2024 have financial support from various organizations, including the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT) of the Dominican Republic, the Foundation for the Future of Colombia (COLFUTURO), and the Government of Canada, to name a few.

CATIE reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and gender equity in education, providing a conducive space for personal and professional growth.

Welcome, 2024-2025 cohort, to the CATIE community, where knowledge and action come together to transform realities!