Fani believes studying at the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ has equipped her with the skills to make a meaningful impact in the agricultural sector of her home country, Indonesia. She now strives to realise her ambition of supporting farmers with the sustainable improvement of their welfare.
"I learnt so much during my time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ. The practical experiences were invaluable in bridging theory with real-world applications. These sessions in class, along with field trips to farms, industries, networking events and research centres, have all helped me gain valuable insights and enriched my learning experience, as well as developing my critical thinking, problem-solving, networking, and effective communication skills."
Fani adds:
"The most interesting aspect for me was learning about 'development in agriculture' itself and how this field can contribute sustainably to both the economy and society. Each module introduced us to current and ongoing debates, which allowed me to gain a broader, more nuanced understanding of the subject. I also valued learning how to engage with farmers effectively by placing them at the centre of development. These two frameworks are essential to me, as I aim to apply this knowledge to improve farming practices in my home country."
Extracurricular activities
Making the most of her time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, Fani embraced the opportunities available at the University by becoming a course representative, volunteering, and securing a local part time job through Campus Jobs.
"I took on several roles simply because I enjoy helping people and organising activities. Being a course representative and student ambassador enabled me to assist both current and prospective students but now realise that these roles also gave me something invaluable - networking!
"As a volunteer, I also worked on a farm, helping to organise ‘GIIDAE Connect’, a networking event between alumni and current students, and volunteered as a member of the GIIDAE social committee to plan enjoyable activities over the summer."
Why Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ?
Fani chose Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ early on in her career.
"I identified GIIDAE (Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics) at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ as being my dream study destination on the completion of my bachelor’s in 2018 but then went on to work with farmers for six years, approaching tasks from an engineering perspective.
"Over time, I recognised that I sometimes approached solutions in a highly scientific manner and that I needed to deepen my understanding of the social aspects of agriculture to better appreciate the dynamics within farming communities and see things from their perspective.
"I chose the MSc in Agriculture and Development programme because it gave me the solution I was looking for, offering me a perfect balance between scientific and social perspectives in agriculture. Moreover, the University consistently ranks amongst the top institutions for agriculture both in the UK and globally!"
A warm welcome
Thousands of miles from home, Fani felt welcomed into the School community and was encouraged to engage with a variety of activities.
"I loved how the University and all the staff work so hard to make us, as international students, feel welcome. My course gathered regularly to share both academic and social updates with our programme director. We also had the student-staff partnership group, which works constantly to improve the university experience, and I’ve seen many initiatives to build a strong cohort, with a variety of activities, and volunteering. These have been wonderful moments amid our busy studies."
Find out more about MSc Agriculture and Development.