SMART (Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research) 2013 Information Sessions

CIIFAD is holding three information sessions for its 2013 Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Team (SMART) Program on September 11, 13, and 17, 2012. The sessions will take place from 5:00-6:30 PM in 160 Mann Library.  Anyone interested in learning about the program and applying for a project should plan to attend one of the sessions.  Each will provide detailed information about the eight different SMART projects, which will work with private enterprises, nongovernmental organizations, and communities in Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia.  The courses are led by Cornell faculty and staff, who will also be on hand to answer questions during the info sessions.

For general information about SMART, please scroll down or visit CIIFAD’s website.  Specific project information and the applications will be available on the CIIFAD website on September 17^th.  Applications are due October 15^th. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of the info sessions. 

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WHAT IS SMART?  SMART brings together teams of students and faculty from diverse disciplines and pairs them with firms, organizations, or community groups located in developing countries. The teams work on well-defined assignments that challenge students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in real world settings. SMART assignments vary from team to team, as does the length of engagement. For example, past teams have assisted promising new companies to develop strategic business plans, worked with an international NGO to pilot IT training in four African countries and collaborated with grassroots development professionals to enhance learning outcomes for farmer groups seeking to increase family food security. Teams work on location with the company or partner group for at least two weeks and sometimes up to eight weeks, depending on the type of engagement planned and the university academic calendar.

CIIFAD’s SMART Program is designed to help Cornell's students span the gap between knowing and doing. It facilitates experiential learning opportunities that strengthen students' ability to develop innovative approaches to complex problems surrounding markets, food, agriculture, and development. By learning to collaborate on real-world issues, SMART students gain valuable personal experience, make significant contributions that are valued by the company or organization they partner with and raise Cornell's profile as a University that is strongly committed to global engagement for positive change.

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