The report on the study tour to EDUTERInstitute in Dijon in the framework of TEMPUS TACIS project “Environmental curriculum in agrarian universities”
The study tour was held from March 6 to March 12, 2011. The participants from the Buryat state academy of agriculture were professor Tumanova Maria lecturer in sustainable agriculture, associate professor Altaev Alexander, lecturer in agroecology, Zoya Yampilova, head of the international relations office, Bazarova Galina, head of the department of science and innovation of Ministry of education of the republic of Buryatia, Medvedeva Larisa, senior consultant on ecological education, Ministry of natural resources of the republic of Buryatia. The National higher school of agricultural sciences, food and environment - AgroSup and the Institute of education support Eduter as its structural unit as a European partner in the project has arranged a comprehensive programme of the study tour that included meeting different professors in the agricultural sciences and ecology. The participants got acquainted with the activities of EDUTER, the structure that performs a broad range of activities covering education, publishing and outreach. AGRO_SUP is one of the first public institutions "Grands ETABLISSEMENTS" established by French Ministry of agriculture, food, fishery and French Ministry of education and research to train agricultural engineers.
Professors C.Constant, J-P.Lemiere, S.Granger, P.Merat, F.Cointaultshared their experience on training bachelors in ecology, agronomy, engineering and water management. Participantsvisitedexperimentalfields, laboratoriesandequipment situated not far from the Institute, the fact being important in the training process.
Directorof Eduter JeanChevaldonneintroduced the participants to the organizational structure of the institute, its objectives and methods.
Eduter,asapartofAgroSup-Dijonistheinstitutionthatsupportseducation. It’smainactivityistosupportvocationaltrainingoftheyoungandadultpopulationtomeettheirprofessionalneeds and personal interests to upgrade their knowledge.
The specialists of Institute’s department introduced to participants such services as e-learning and Eduagri-edition, EduagriNet,WebTVandFormagri plarform.
Oneoftheinterestingsitevisitswasa visit to MFR (MaisonFamilialeRurale) – the system of training in agriculture through farm schools, where students are community children willing to stay in the rural area and work in agriculture.
Inthefreetimeparticipantswereacquaintedwiththerichhistory, cultureandtraditionsofBurgundyandthesightsofDijonand Beaune .
The training seminars and visits were informative as they provided participants with knowledge about education system in France, problems and prospects of education modernization in general. Moreover we established contacts with our Russian and Ukrainian partners and are planning joint work on the project. Being in AgroSup we purchased books and video educational materials. Themost important thing that we gained is invaluable experience of international exchange. Exchange of experience aims both a t reaching the project’s objectives but at mutual cultural and social enrichment and laying the foundation for further cooperation.