FUM-UK Agroecology: Fostering teaching and research in agricultural ecology

FUM-UK Agroecology is based on the International Study and Training Partnerships (German: ISAP) initiative with the goals (i) to establish international study and training partnerships with foreign universities between individual departments (e.g. through faculty exchange), (ii) to support groups of highly qualified German and foreign students who are to be enabled to complete a fully recognized part of their studies at the respective partner university, and (iii) to establish agreements on credit transfer, attractive study offers and joint curriculum development as the basis for a permanent two-way exchange. The program aims at a long-term cooperation between the partner institutions, which should not only strengthen the department in the field of teaching, but also provide starting points for joint research projects. The focus of the study exchange will be "agroecology and organic food systems".

Prof. Dr. Andreas Bürkert and Dr. Martin Wiehle (University of Kassel, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences) in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam, Associate Prof. Dr. Azra Ghandeharion, and Associate Professor Dr. Hossein Banejad (Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran) are the program leaders.

The core element of the funding program is the exchange of students and teachers. It is planned that in each of the four semesters 3 Iranian and 3 German students will visit and study for one semester (lasting between 4 to 6 months) at the other partner faculty. Teaching language will be English. The courses offered are fine-tuned to the respective available courses in correspondence with a priorly and individually developed learning agreement acknowledged and signed by either side. For German students 30 ECTS have to be obtained, for Iranians 30 ECTS in Germany (which equals 10 ECTS in Iran). 

ISAP-stipend rates and lump sums for students* enrolled at University of Kassel:

• 850 € travel lump sum
• 35 € monthly health insurance lump sum
• 1.150 € monthly stipend

*Please visit our partner webpage for respective stipend rates and lump sums applying for students enrolled at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

Students holding a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, natural and related sciences are invited to apply. The following criteria are mandatory for the application process

1. Motivation letter
2. CV
3. Outstanding academic performance (among the 25% best graduate students of one academic year, optional: contribution to science such as (co-)authorship in a relevant peer-reviewed international journal paper). Please provide up-to-date transcripts of record and certificates.
4. Knowledge of English at the B2 level (TOEFL or IELTS or equivalent proofs)
5. Filled and signed application form (please request by writing at fum-uk[at]uni-kassel[dot]de)

FUM-UK attaches great importance to avoid discrimination based on personal and social grounds. A balanced share of female and male graduate students is envisaged. Potential applicants from disadvantaged groups are specifically invited to apply. When applicants of disadvantaged groups share comparable professional qualifications, they will be given priority.

Applications with all necessary documents  (as one PDF file) must be submitted per E-Mail on time at fum-uk[at]uni-kassel[dot]de. Application deadline: 31st December 2021 (23:59 CET). Special note for Iranian students: All three students will be selected based on the Iran National Master of Science Exam and will be announced on 23 September 2021.

For further questions: fum-uk[at]uni-kassel[dot]de.