Establishment of a New Dual M.S. Program Between University of Georgia (USA) and University of Padova (Italy).

International collaborative research and student global competence can be enhanced by dual-degree, graduate programs between universities from different countries. With those objectives in mind, the University of Georgia (USA) and the University of Padova (Italy) signed an agreement in May 2016 to establish a dual M.S. program in Sustainable Agriculture. The University of Georgia, founded in 1783, is the flagship of the university system of Georgia and typically has about 500 graduate students working in agricultural research. The University of Padova, founded in 1222, is the top agricultural university in Italy with about 900 graduate students conducting research in agriculture. In this new dual M.S. program, students originating in USA spend the first year at the University of Georgia taking classes, and the second year at the University of Padova taking additional classes and conducting research. Students originating in Italy spend the first year at the University of Padova taking classes, and the second year at the University of Georgia taking additional classes and conducting research. The courses for the program are taught in English and thesis research topics are selected based on common research interests between participating faculty from both institutions. Students write their theses in English and defend it in front of a committee made up of faculty from both universities who participate in person or via video conference. Upon completion of the program, students receive an M.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences with an area of emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Georgia, and a Laurea Magistrale (Master’s Degree) in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Padova. This new program, which will have its first students in Fall 2016, is expected to give students from both countries an international research perspective in sustainable agriculture, an opportunity to improve their critical thinking skills by analysing data from international projects, and an international appreciation for cultural diversity.