EARTH students host YPARD-modeled entrepreneurship event
On August 22, EARTH University played host to a series of entrepreneurship workshops modeled after a Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) event.
One of the main objectives of the gathering was to teach students from nearby institutions about key subjects surrounding the development of new projects.
Earlier this year, EARTH students participated in an entrepreneurial project presentation organized by YPARD in Kigali, Rwanda. Inspired by the event’s valuable lessons, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Annet Mukamurenzi (‘17, Rwanda), Phenny Omondi (‘17, Kenya) and John Awiel Chol (‘19, South Sudan) teamed up to secure funds so EARTH could recreate the event in Limón, Costa Rica.
The President’s Office at EARTH University worked alongside the three Scholars to develop the event. They invited agricultural economics students from Universidad de Costa Rica to collaborate with a diverse group of EARTH students in the formation of ideas.
The event’s agenda involved talks about:
- Networking, led by Mónica Castro, a San José-based project manager and promoter of positive global-change events.
- Ethical entrepreneurship, environmental economics and business sustainability, given by Dr. Edmundo Castro, director of EARTH’s Carbon Neutral Unit.
- Investment pitching, headed by Omondi, a fourth-year EARTH student.
At the conclusion of the talks, the participants were challenged to put their newfound knowledge into practice and present before a panel of judges. Winners were rewarded with mentorship from EARTH’s YPARD representatives to refine their own new project ideas.
YPARD is an international network that promotes idea exchange between young professionals, helping them to realize their full potential and contribute to innovative agricultural development.
Student participants learned about networking, environmental economics, pitching and more at the YPARD-inspired event.
