ICARE Foundation
 | |
| Type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Established | 2005 |
| Director | Dr. Vardan Urutyan |
| Location | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Affiliations | Texas A&M University |
| Website |
www |
The International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education (a.k.a. ICARE Foundation) (Armenian: Ազրոբիզնեսի հետազոտությունների և կրթության միջազգային կենտրոն) is an Armenian non-governmental and not-profit organization established in Yerevan, Armenia in April 2005 by Texas A&M University. ICARE administers the Agribusiness Teaching Center (ATC), the Agribusiness Research Center (ARC), and the EVN Wine Academy.
Agribusiness Teaching Center
The Agribusiness Teaching Center (ATC) provides agribusiness education necessary to execute entrepreneurial activities in the food and agricultural sector in Armenia.
The curriculum is structured so that it parallels with that of the undergraduate and graduate economics at Texas A&M University. Courses are taught in English by American and Armenian instructors.[1]
History of Agribusiness Teaching Center
ATC was established in 2000 with an agreement between the Armenian Agricultural Academy (now Armenian National Agrarian University), Texas A&M University, and USDA. The Founding Director of ATC was Dr. Daniel Dunn from Texas A&M University who works in the program up to now. Dr. John Nichols originally coordinated the program from Texas A&M University and is currently serving as a Chairman of the ICARE Board.
Dr. Dunn contributed heavily to the establishment and approval by the AAA of an agribusiness curriculum, recruitment of students and faculty. He also taught financial management classes and administered a summer English language program. He also developed a relationship with Georgian State Agrarian University that lead to establishment of ATC.
Dr. John Nicols worked with Dr. Dunn on recruiting new graduate students to U.S. universities and to develop strategy and plan to make decisions on primary education, maintain a relationship with the Armenian State Agrarian University, and develop a regional cooperation program with agricultural universities in Georgia.
Undergraduate Agribusiness Program (UAB)
Students get admitted to the Undergraduate Agribusiness Program (UAB) by completing their first two years of study in Agribusiness and Marketing at the Armenian National Agrarian University and then choosing to finish their last two years at ATC. The Agribusiness Certificate undergraduate curriculum is within the Agribusiness and Marketing BA program of the ANAU. Students must complete all required courses and internship courses. Students pursuing their state diplomas are required to take two multifaceted state exams.
Master of Agribusiness Program (MAB)
The Master of Agribusiness Program (MAB) was launched in 2010. This is the only master's program in agriculture taught in English that is offered in the South Caucasus. The program grants master's degrees to students through Texas A&M university. This professional degree combines economic, business analysis, quantitative methods, for managerial decision making.
Internship Program at ATC
.jpg)
Many ATC students study abroad in countries such as Georgia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Portugal while Diaspora students study at ATC each year.
Alumni
ATC has over 400 alumni as of Spring 2015. In 2010, the U.S. Chapter of the ATC Alumni and Friends' Association initiated scholarships for senior and junior ATC students with strong academic records. In 2011, three students were selected by the U.S. Chapter. ATC graduates have been making an important contribution in the overall economic development of Armenia. According to U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch, institutions like the ATC are making the U.S. Government’s assistance justified in building capacities for Armenian universities and in preparing a knowledgeable, educated and flexible workforce for the country.[2]
Facilities
Agribusiness Research Center
More than 20% of ATC students are involved in research implemented by ARC. The ARC has conducted dozens of research projects funded by the USDA, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, and many other organizations.
The ARC also organizes filed trips, study tours, and internships for students. It also plans seminars, conferences, assists with summer schools, student exchange programs, and extracurricular activities.[3]
EVN Wine Academy
The EVN Wine Academy was established when recent wine production and wine demand in Armenia increased. The purpose of the EVN Wine Academy is to:
- educate young specialists in innovative wine production and business.
- create a network of skilled wine specialists for the wine industry.
- provide training for improving the quality, production process and management of wines production in Armenia.
- make the Armenian wine industry more ubiquitous and create higher appreciation of wine culture in local market.
- conduct research and inform the actors and supporters about new developments in the Armenian wine industry.
- consult wine makers in their production process and management.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Agribusiness Research Center". ANAU. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ↑ "Agribusiness Teaching Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary". Bourlag institute. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ↑ "Agribusiness Research Center". ICARE. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ↑ "EVN Wine Academy". ICARE. Retrieved 29 June 2015.