Faculty and Students to Collaborate with the University of Rwanda

Alabama A&M University faculty and students will travel to Rwanda from July 12 to August 3 to collaborate with the University of Rwanda. This initiative aims to provide students with international internships through the Community Food-Nutrition and Entrepreneurship Outreach Program.

The AAMU team includes Dr. Xia (Amy) Zhang (Co-PI), Associate Professor of Accounting and COBPA International Program Coordinator; Dr. Lamin S. Kassama (Co-PI), Professor of Food Engineering/Processing and Coordinator of the US-Rwanda Summer International Experiential Learning Program; and Dr. Zachary Senwo (PI), Professor of Soil/Environmental Microbial Biochemistry.

The selection process for the USDA-Summer 2024 AAMU International Experiential Learning program in Rwanda is rigorous. Interested students in food science and business must submit their resumes, an essay, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. Faculty from the two colleges recommend the students taking part.

Four students were selected: sophomore food science major Paige Martin, junior business management major Mia Perry, food science graduate student Eboni Major, and MBA student Miya Adams.

The University of Rwanda counterparts include faculty with expertise in food science and agribusiness. The internship aims to engage faculty and students from both institutions, expanding their international capacity and providing U.S. minority students with research, education, and outreach opportunities in non-traditional study abroad destinations like sub-Saharan Africa. Less than 5% of these students acquire international experiences.

This project also seeks to broaden global awareness and cultural understanding among students through collaborative partnerships in Rwanda.

Funding is provided by the USDA-NIFA-Capacity Building Grant: Project to Provide Students with International Agriculture Internships and Cultural Experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the USDA-HEC: US-Rwanda Food, Agriculture, Human, and Natural Sciences Scholars Program.

Students and faculty from Delaware State University and Alcorn State University will also participate in this program.