China Agricultural University (CAU), listed in “Double First-Class” (world-class universities and first-class disciplines) university project, is directly subordinated to the Ministry of Education of P. R. China. Evolved from the College of Agriculture founded by the Qing Dynasty in the Jing Shi Da Xue Tang (the former Imperial University of Peking and the present Peking University) established in 1905, CAU is a cradle for higher education of modern agriculture.
Over recent years, agronomy-related subjects of CAU remain among the top 10 in rankings such as QS, US NEWs and ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. Nine subjects, namely Biology, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science and Engineering, Crop Sciences, Agricultural Resources and Environment, Plant Protection, Zootechny, Veterinary Medicine, Agrostology, are classified as National First-class Disciplines by the Ministry of Education of P. R. China. CAU boasts the excellent faculty with over 1700 professors and associate professors. The university enjoys 76 undergraduate majors, 13000 undergraduate students and 12000 postgraduate students. 33 first-level disciplines are authorized to award Master’s degrees and 23 Doctoral degrees.
Over recent years, in an effort to open its education resources wider to the outside world, CAU has developed friendly cooperation with 242 universities, research institutions, and international organizations in 52 countries and regions in Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. CAU, together with Cornell University, Wageningen University, University of California, Davis, and University of Sao Paulo, has established the Agrifood 5 Alliance. Guided by BRI and China-Africa Cooperation Initiative, CAU has established an Agricultural Education, Science and Technology Innovation League, which includes 40 agricultural and forestry universities in China and 35 abroad. Thanks to the League, CAU has set up 11 BRI cooperation centers for agriculture. Besides, CAU carries out policy dialogues, research, and international development projects with major organizations, including Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Programme, United Nations Development Program, UN Office for South-South Cooperation, World Bank, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
1. Program Information
In order to share China’s experience in promoting agricultural technologies, rural development and poverty reduction, and contribute to world poverty alleviation cause, CAU has initiated 3 China-Africa master programs since 2019, including “The Science and Technology Backyard (STB)” master program for Africa (Africa-STB) under the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, “Rural Vitalization” master program for Africa under the College of Humanities and Development Studies, and “Simple Technology, Big Harvest” master program for Africa under the College of International Development and Global Agriculture. Achievements from the 3 programs, has been recommended as models to the world by FAO and UN Office for South-South Cooperation.
1.1 “The Science and Technology Backyard (STB)” Master Program for Africa (Africa-STB)
Major: Resource Utilization and Plant Protection
College: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences
Objectives
This program aims to cultivate professional technicians who can manage and utilize agricultural resources (including soil, crops, water, fertilizers, climate, etc.), promote technologies pertaining the utilization of agricultural resources, and conduct research in this field.
Postgraduates of this program should have a good command of technologies concerning utilization of agricultural resources, fertilization, environmental management, ecological engineering, land management and information technology, reduction of agricultural disasters, and basic principles underlying those technologies.
Postgraduates of this program should develop their capacity in research and development of technologies concerning utilization of agricultural resources, as well as problem-solving skills in soil improvement, research and development of fertilizers, services for farmers, environmental management, agro-ecological project, land management and information technology, reduction of agricultural disasters, and etc., in addition to the ability to demonstrate and promote technologies, so as to serve the agriculture and fertilizer sectors.
Features of this Program
This program lays emphasis on both theory and practice. The curriculum offers practice opportunities in small and medium sized enterprises. When students finish the curriculum, they are encouraged to demonstrate and teach the technologies they learnt to rural residents. Most importantly, overseas students can help build new STBs in their homeland with their know-how, investigation, and field trials based on local conditions, so as to push the green development of African agriculture.
1.2 “Simple Technology, Big Harvest” Master Program for Africa
Major: International Development Policies and Governance
College: College of International Development and Global Agriculture
Objectives
Students will apply theories and methodologies of this field to development issues systematically, flexibly, and critically, and participate in the practice of international development policies and governance. As students gain insight into development challenges, international development ideals, and China’s experience in related issues, they can help tackle the problems that countries experiencing the transition period and developing countries face via public governance and effective policies.
Features of this Program
By innovatively inviting nearly 20 scholars specializing in different fields, including Crop Sciences, Food Bioengineering, and Agricultural Economy, to join the faculty of the College as co-mentors, this program offers a supporting team comprised of “mentor+ co-mentors+ teaching assistants” for each student, providing timely, targeted, and comprehensive education resources for overseas students. In addition to the curriculum, this program organizes online seminars and lectures regularly and offers abundant opportunities to students to apply what they learn, such as participating in high-end seminars, and taking internship in off-campus teaching bases.
1.3 “Rural Vitalization” Master Program for Africa
Major: Rural Development and Management
College: College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD)
Objectives
This program aims to cultivate management professionals who have an international perspective and a good understanding of advanced experience in rural development and management, and of research concerning China’s development models and experience. The program combines theory and reality, teaching and practice, and promises a relaxing atmosphere and abundant practice opportunities. Students are encouraged to think independently and make bald innovation.
Features of this Program
This program features the introduction to experiences of China’s development. Its collaboration with communities listed in China’s rural Vitalization project offers students ample practice opportunities. This cultivation model encourages students to learn from China’s experiences in rural development and poverty reduction and to combine theory with practice. This program also contributes to exchanges of development experiences and culture between China and the world.
2. Cultivation Model
These are two-year program open to African students. In the first year, students stay in China for theory learning, courses and practical skills of agronomy. In the second year, students conduct field research and promote agricultural technologies in teaching bases in China or African countries to solve problems in local agriculture. After that, they come back to CAU to finish their academic paper and thesis defense.
This program invites professors from A5 Alliance (China Agricultural University, Cornell University, Wageningen University, University of California, Davis, and University of Sao Paulo) to teach courses. It also invites experts from international organizations (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, UN Office for South-South Cooperation, World Bank, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, etc.) to join the faculty of COHD to offer lectures and training programs.
Students improve their ability to apply and spread agricultural technologies through field study in Chinese or African villages. Introduction to China’s experience in development in agriculture and rural areas will help students to solve problems Africa encounters in its agricultural and rural development, and will mould them into professionals who master advanced theoretical and practical know-how in both agricultural technology and rural development.
3. Application Information
3.1 Application Period: From Oct 1, 2023 to Feb 28, 2024
3.2 Criteria and Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
(1) be a citizen of an African country, be in good health mentally and physically, abide by Chinese laws and regulations as well as campus rules and regulations, and respect Chinese customs.
(2) be a bachelor’s degree holder and under the age of 35 when applying for master’s degree programs;
(3) have relatively strong academic background in the field they intend to apply.
(4) have a bachelor’s degree taught in English, or TOEFL (iBT) score of 90 points at least, or IELTS score at least 6.0.
3.3 Application Materials:
The applicants should submit the following materials for their application:
(1) Scanned copy of passport (the date of expiration should be later than Sep, 2024； applicants without passports will not be accepted.);
(2) Visa information (only required for students in China);
(3) Notarized final degree certificate or pre-graduation certificate;
(4) Official undergraduate transcripts; If it is neither Chinese nor English, notarized Chinese or English version should be provided;
(5) Certification of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or certification of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree taught in English );
(6) Study/Work experience (updated to application date)
(7) Pre-admission notice（issued by the college applicants apply after evaluation of applicants’ academic background）
(8) Study plan in English or Chinese (no less than 1000 words);
(9) Two reference letters (in Chinese or English) from two professors or associate professors with signatures ( reference letters have no fixed format but must have references’ signatures as well as their positions and titles.)
(10) Foreigner Physical Examination Form (photocopy); it can be downloaded from http://www.csc.edu.cn/uploads/forms/foreinphy.pdf;
(11) No criminal report ( issued by the public security department);
(12) Published academic papers, patents obtained, or other research achievements （either photocopy or original）.
Note: All application materials should be in Chinese or in English. Materials in other languages should submit Chinese or English translations sealed by translation companies or certificate authorities.
3.4 Application Procedure
(1) Visit China Agricultural University application system: http://apply.cau.edu.cn/ to log in, fill in your personal information, choose the major and submit the materials required.The registration fee is RMB 400 yuan (not refundable);
(2) Complete the online application procedure at CGS Information Management System for International Students (Visit CSC application system: http://www.campuschina.org and click “Application Online” to log in), submit online the completed Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship. Submit the scanning copy of Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship with your signature to http://apply.cau.edu.cn; Choose “Tpye B” when you apply for scholarship online. Institution code:10019.
4. Contact Information:
The Science and Technology Backyard (STB)” Master Program for Africa (Africa-STB),
Ms. LIN Mengjun, 010-62733423, linmj@cau.edu.cn
“Simple Technology, Big Harvest” Master Program for Africa,
Mr. ZHAO Tianyang, 010-62737590, zhaotianyang@cau.edu.cn;
“Rural Vitalization” Master Program for Africa,
Ms. ZHENG Yuyang, 010-62738519, zyy89@cau.edu.cn.
International Office,
Ms. ZHAO Xiaohui, 010-62737815, cauie@cau.edu.cn.