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A PARTNERSHIP of MEISTER MEDIA WORLDWIDE, Productores de Hortalizas magazine, and the CEAC of the University of Arizona.
BACKGROUND
In the U.S., consumer demand for high-quality, good-tasting, safe and sanitary fresh produce has been growing rapidly. No longer satisfied with limited seasonal availability, those consumers now expect to find all varieties of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, supermarkets and restaurants all year round. This represents a tremendous opportunity for technologically savvy growers, because the controlled environment of greenhouses allows growers to produce abundant, safe, ultra high-quality vegetable crops, while also extending their growing seasons.
This demand-driven opportunity has created a boom in North American greenhouse vegetable production, particularly in Mexico, where investment in greenhouse technology is growing very rapidly. Thus, the demand for talented personnel, with solid training in greenhouse vegetable production, is also growing, and this has created a shortage of qualified technicians in the greenhouse vegetable industry all over North America.
Many of the best greenhouse vegetable personnel currently working in the industry have received their training at the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC).
According to the CEAC faculty, several of the best students in the program have come from Mexico to study.
SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to the most qualified Mexican student to apply. The winner will be rewarded with TUITION for ONE SEMESTER of GRADUATE STUDIES at the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. Candidates must submit their application before AUGUST 24th, 2007. Study will begin in 2008 (Spring or Fall semester).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates will complete the application process, which will start with a written application and listing of references, and, subsequently, a telephone interview. The written application will include an essay, in English, in which the candidate will describe, in 1,000 words or less, his or her background, interests, and educational and professional goals.
Application materials are posted here on our hortalizas.com website, and Meister Media will collect the completed applications submitted and distribute them to the selection committee.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The winning candidate should demonstrate the following:
- Previous academic success
- Attainment of an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution in a related field, such as agronomy, plant sciences, entomology, soil, water or environmental sciences
- Proficiency in English, as determined by the TOEFL test (score of 550)
- GRE test results
- Financial need
- Strong motivation
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The scholarship selection committee will consist of members of Meister Media's Latin American publishing group, members of the University of Arizona's CEAC, and members of any sponsoring organizations.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF WINNER
The winning candidate will need to make arrangements to secure a U.S. study visa before entering the CEAC program. Once that visa is attained, the student will make the necessary arrangements for travel to Tucson and for housing there. The winner will begin studies in the Spring semester or the Fall semester of 2008. While in the program, the scholarship winner must achieve and maintain good academic standing, with a GPA of at least 3.0.
The student's program of study must have a primary focus on controlled environment agriculture within one of the following departments:
- Plant Science
- Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Crop Protection (Entomology or Plant Pathology)
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