Mission and basic philosophic principles of higher education in agriculture: A case study.

摘要

This study is about higher education in agriculture. The philosophic principles that underlie practice and the history and development of contemporary approaches are explored. Elements of an approach to agricultural higher education appropriate for confronting the challenges of the twenty-first century are proposed. It is suggested that such an approach would focus on people-centered development, rather than emphasizing production and profit maximization. At the same time, learning strategies should be based on experience and active student participation, as opposed to emphasizing content and information assimilation.;One particular institution, the Agricultural College of the Humid Tropical Region (La Escuela de Agricultura de la Region Tropical Humeda--EARTH), located in Costa Rica, is examined in detail. EARTH's development and mission are described, and the results of a series of interviews with faculty, students and administrators are presented. It was found that while EARTH has a well defined mission--to contribute the sustainable development of the humid tropical region of the Americas--the philosophic principles upon which its educational practice is based are not clearly articulated. The interviews revealed that students and faculty are particularly satisfied with the integration of theory and practice afforded by the use of experiential learning strategies. While students tend to identify affective development as the most important benefit of such opportunities, many faculty place more emphasis on cognitive development and the acquisition of practical skills.;Finally, a series of recommendations with respect to EARTH, its philosophy, and educational practice is offered.