HAS University from the Netherlands and RCPR Community College of Agriculture from Savoi Verem, Goa have an MOU of knowledge sharing, besides exchange of students and Agri-Technology. Currently a team of faculty members from this University are on a visit to Goa and have inked several initiatives to be taken up in the coming years. Prof.Frank Verkroost, Prof. Linda Bonte, Prof. Hans Van Riel and Prof. Henriette Van der Heijden is part of this team from HAS University. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman of RCPR Education Society, Pradip Lotlikar, Dr. Sachin Tendulkar, Mrs. Varsha Pai Raiker, Prof. Shrirang Jambhale along with other faculty members from the College joined the deliberations.
It was decided to start a skill development course in agriculture with modern technology and value additions to the agricultural produce. The university faculties would share the curriculum and conduct the train the trainer program in RCPR community college of Agriculture, Goa. On completion of this skill development program the students would be given a certificate, certified jointly by both the institutions. The successful certificate holders would be able to find career openings in the Netherlands as well as the neighboring European countries. They would also be able to start their own ventures in the state enabling gains through value addition. There is a very big export potential for agricultural products from the state as well as neighboring areas.
Internship program for the students from the Netherlands was also planned. They would start coming from the next semester. Various research-based projects were discussed, benefiting the farmers and enabling them to increase their earnings through value additions. Specific courses pertaining to the products produced in the State would be started with the help of their syllabus. More active participation is on the cards which was stranded due to the COVID pandemic for last three years. The Indo Dutch Education agency (IDEA) will also be part of this education promotion program. This initiative of knowledge exchange is also supported by the Governments of the two Countries. The farmers can gain from this initiative as well and look forward to opportunities for new markets and increased production.
