Nin e, out of 13 stud ents finished successfully the course and were awarded the MSc degree by the UTA Foundation. The objectives of the course are to contribute to the education of professionals committed to promoting sustainable use of natural renewable resources for the benefit of rural communities. A one-month residential refresher course in UTA, after 12 months, for analysis of interim results of the research project and acquisition of relevant literature. The training modules are dedicated to the demonstration of the principle features of sustainable use of natural resources, such as low input agriculture, promotion of biodiversity, optimizing biomass production, close integration of cropping systems with forestry and livestock, use of renewable energy and recycling of all biological wastes. A major activity is th e preparation, execution, analysis and presentation of the results of mini-projects carried out in the training module and at village level.
Every student is equipped with a notebook computer, portable printer and modem.
The objective is to train the participants in using the tools needed for carrying out research and development activities that are relevant to the interests of small-scale farmers in the tropics. There will be a process of continuous assessment by the course directors and coordinators, and by visiting resource persons and the local demonstrators. The assessment will be made on a scale of 1 to 5. Participants must reach an average score of 3 or above to be accepted to continue for the MSc. The first steps in the identification of the research project are made during the residential course.