A Successful First Year for the Summer Institute in Food Safety and Security

From July 6-18, 2014, Tel Aviv University's Manna Center Program for Food Safety & Security launched its first graduate level Summer Institute. The intense two-week program included five diverse courses which took place simultaneously, covering topics such as the policy and economics of food security, food safety in public health, and advanced biology courses.  These courses were given in partnership with the School of Public Health, the Department of Public Policy, ICORE – Israeli Center of Research Excellence in Plant Responses to a Changing Environment, and the Faculty of Life Sciences.

Professors included both TAU faculty and also leading global experts such as Prof. Molly Jahn (U. Wisc), Prof. Elliot Berry (Hebrew University), Prof. Ram Fishman (GWU), Dr.  Ezra Barzilay (CDC), and more.

The diverse and interdisciplinary approach of the program was reflected in the nearly 100 students who attended it.  These students represented numerous universities in Israel, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, India, Ecuador, Canada, and the Palestinian Territories.  Their academic backgrounds ranged from public policy to biology.   Both inside and outside the classroom, the students' interactions and insights led to enriching discussions that bridged the social and life sciences and further illuminated perspectives from both the developed and developing world.  

The summer students finished the program with a deeper appreciation for the field, new tools to further their learning, and an exciting new network of like-minded peers.  The program staff is excited to plan and expand on the program for next summer.  Information about applying for 2015 can be found on the food security website.