Professional Orientation:
- Professional (8 semesters).
Number of applicants:
- Minimum: 5 applicants
- Maximum: 15 applicants
Justification:
Humanity is immersed in an unprecedented crisis affecting food security, health, climate, and the environment. Industrialized agri-food systems are identified as one of the main causes of these problems, as they have not only led to the massive destruction of natural ecosystems but also rely heavily on external inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and fossil fuels. This dependence results in soil and water contamination and degradation, loss of biodiversity, and contributes to climate change through the significant emission of greenhouse gases.
An important aspect of the curriculum is its contribution to the long-term increase and maintenance of local production of healthy foods, which in turn fosters food security and sovereignty for agricultural families and their communities. These elements are considered essential for community health and individual well-being. The following sections highlight the crucial aspects that support the importance, relevance, and feasibility of developing a Doctorate of this nature. It is based on three key pillars: i) an inter- and transdisciplinary approach that integrates diverse disciplines and knowledge systems; ii) a participatory orientation focused on individuals, families, and communities; iii) a global socio-environmental, economic, and political framework. In this way, the curriculum map will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to understand the complexity of current agricultural challenges and to become competent professionals in Biocultural Agroecology. This contributes to building a sustainable community future through agri-food systems while promoting food sovereignty with comprehensive and participatory approaches.
Mission:
The DABio will promote the training of professionals focused on understanding and applying agroecological and biocultural principles for the design, planning, and development of sustainable agricultural and forestry systems. Its epistemological foundations will emphasize the integration of scientific knowledge with local wisdom and cultural diversity to foster agriculture that is equitable and harmonious with both nature and society. The program assumes a commitment to promoting rural development and food sovereignty by supporting the transition toward agricultural sustainability through shared responsibility with farmers, local communities, public and private organizations, and policymakers, always maintaining a global perspective that respects the environment and local cultures.
Vision:
By 2030, the goal is to have a consolidated postgraduate program of excellence, recognized for training students capable of managing the transition toward sustainable and equitable agricultural practices that respect human rights and local cultures, thereby becoming leaders committed to rural development, food sovereignty, and biodiversity conservation. Through strategic partnerships, high-impact research projects, and a transdisciplinary approach, the DABIO will have made a significant contribution to managing agroecological transitions in the face of contemporary social, environmental, and economic challenges.
Primary objective:
To train professionals in the field of Agroecology who address complex issues related to food sovereignty and community development through an inter- and transdisciplinary biocultural approach.
Specific objectives:
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To provide students with theoretical, methodological, and practical tools in the field of Biocultural Agroecology under a framework of gender, human rights, and sustainability.
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To promote innovation in Agroecology through Participatory Action Research processes aimed at building resilience in rural communities as a strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation..
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To foster the development of students’ skills to actively participate in community dialogue spaces by designing participatory ecological management plans.
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• To encourage the interaction between traditional knowledge and scientific understanding from an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective to address socio-environmental challenges in rural contexts.
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Goals:
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- To achieve a terminal efficiency rate of above 70% for each generational cohort.
- To ensure that 100% of students complete a Professional Internship in Agroecology.
- To ensure that at least 50% of students participate in virtual and/or in-person mobility programs or courses at a prestigious academic institution.
- To ensure that 100% of students participate in the semester symposia, presenting the progress of their Participatory Action Research projects.
- To ensure that 100% of students share their results with the community where they conducted their Participatory Action Research project, as a requirement for obtaining the degree.
- To ensure that 100% of students develop at least one research and/or dissemination scientific article related to their thesis work as a requirement for obtaining the academic degree.
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