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Key World Initiative Nutrition - Food systems

The key world initiative Nutrition - Food Systems (FOODS) is developed at the University of Montpellier (UM) as part of the UM2030 project, winner of the Call for Projects " Integration and Development of IdEx and ISITE" (IDéES). The initiative is the result of a bilateral collaboration between UM and University of Pretoria (UP), and enables the transition to multilateral collaborations by bringing together strategic partners of both institutions. FOODS takes the form of a Global Collaborative Platform for doctoral training, and constitutes a virtual global infrastructure for international cooperation.

Program

The Nutrition - Food Systems doctoral platform aims to bring together a cohort of doctoral students at least once a year for field schools and/or training courses on topics chosen by the International Steering Committee (ISC). It aims to foster interdisciplinarity and interculturality through the diversity of the PhD students it brings together.

Each cohort is made up of 2 PhD students from each partner institution. These young researchers, from a variety of research fields and disciplines, are expected to take at least 2 Platform courses.

PhD students work in groups and exchange ideas to strengthen their ties and form an international network of future leaders in the science of sustainable development in the fields of nutrition and food systems.

The Platform offers :

Opportunities for doctoral students to publish documents and create communication materials
A global exchange platform to facilitate discussion and document sharing
International visibility of research themes
The opportunity to take part in international events
A networking opportunity for young researchers

Objectives

The platform aims to :

Build a global community of future leaders in the science of sustainable development through emerging projects
Increase the impact of sustainable development science through inter- and trans-disciplinary research and the development of expertise at the science-policy-society interface.
Facilitate longer-term research opportunities and career development prospects for young researchers
Advancing open science and education practices through the development of new equitable global partnerships
Promote the creation of an international network of scientists working on the topics covered.

Testimonials

Hear how the platform has made a difference to Ana Maria Quiroga-Arcila, a PhD student in plant biology at ULaval, Quebec, and a participant in the first cohort activities.

17 Partners

Europe

University of Montpellier (UM)
University of Barcelona (UB)
University of Leeds
University of York (UY)
Utrecht University (UU)
Wageningen University and Research (WUR)

Asia

Graduate School of China Academy of Agriculture Sciences (GSCAAS)
China Agriculture University (CAU)

North America

Michigan State University (MSU)
University Laval of Quebec
University of Arizona
University of California Davis (UC Davis)

South America

University of Sao Paulo (USP)

Africa

University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD)
University of Nairobi (UONBI)
University of Pretoria (UP)
University of the Western Cape (UWC)

The actors

The Nutrition - Food Systems initiative was co-constructed with the University of Pretoria in May 2022. On the UM side, the initiative is scientifically supported by Karen Lambert-Cordillac, University Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Montpellier. On the University of Pretoria side, the referent is Frans Swanepoel of the Future Africa Centre. The initiative takes the form of a global collaborative platform for doctoral training, bringing together doctoral students from the two institutions' strategic partners.

The Platform is managed at the UM by Nathalie Modjeska, with the help of Elsa Denis, within the Service d'appui à l'international et à l'attractivité des programmes structurants of the Direction des Programmes Structurants.

Governance

The Platform is managed by the International Steering Committee (ISC), which includes a representative from each member institution.

The IAPC is co-chaired by a representative of the South and a representative of the North. Currently, Frans Swanepoel (UP) and Margreet de Lange (Utrecht University) hold these responsibilities.

The ICC decides on and oversees the implementation of the Platform's strategic orientations and overall activities.

It meets virtually at least once a year and in person at least once every 18 months.