Goals and Objectives

The SMART Program is designed to help Cornell’s students span the gap between knowing and doing. The students’ academic experience is enriched by providing hands-on situations in which students can apply the concepts they have learned in the classroom. It also allows Cornell researchers to extend their theoretical work to real-world applications. Combining students and faculty into multidisciplinary teams helps strengthen their ability to develop innovative solutions aimed at solving the complex problems surrounding markets, food, agriculture, and development.

The goal of the program is to offer students a unique learning and team experience, working with companies and communities in developing countries.  The specific objectives of the program are to:

• Provide students with an innovative off-campus “hands on” learning and team experience in international and economic development
• Help students gain a greater understanding of development processes and applications in a developing country context and setting
• Provide much needed technical assistance and analytical support to underserved businesses and rural communities
• Develop case studies and other learning material for use in the classroom

Application Procedures

Fill in the application form and submit to Laura Cramer (lkc9@cornell.edu) via email on or before Oct. 16, 2009 at 5:00pm.  Please also submit a copy of your CV/resume.   Note that participation in this program is highly competitive and no late applications will be accepted.  Only short listed candidates will be interviewed.  Decisions will be announced by Oct. 23.

Costs

Students are responsible for covering their airfare costs to the field site plus any personal incidentals.  CIIFAD will cover local transportation, meals and accommodation expenses for the duration of the course.

Course Format

The field study trips will take place in January 2010 during the winter intersession.  While much of the assignments will be conducted and completed during the field trip, some assignments will be completed during the spring semester. Students will register for a three credit course in the spring of 2010. Only letter grades are available for this course. A PowerPoint with more details and 2010 company info can be downloaded here.

For specific information about the five trips being planned for 2010, including required skills, dates, tentative itinerary, estimated out-of-pocket expenses and any other questions, please contact the instructors directly at the following email addresses:

• Morocco (Cartier Saada): Ralph Christy, rdc6@cornell.edu
• South Africa (Intaba Fruit Processing): Ed Mabaya, em37@cornell.edu
• South Africa (ZZ2): Janice Thies, jet25@cornell.edu
• Nepal (Himalayan Bio Trade): Cynthia Mathys, cjm296@cornell.edu
• Kenya (Hillside Green Growers & Exporters):  Laura Cramer, lkc9@cornell.edu