We are very sad about the passing of Yves Surry (March 6th, 2021), a ‘founding father’ of the AFEPA programme. Many AFEPIANs have benefited from his teaching and advice, which inspired them to excel in economic thinking and methodological applications. We will always remember Yves as the generous, brilliant, positive, inquisitive, selfless, and giving person that he was. He will be sorely missed.

Those who wish to share a testimonial or recognition can send it to info@afepa.eu to then be published on the Afepa website.

Who wishes is welcome to contribute to a memory book at SLU:  https://www.slu.se/en/ew-news/2021/3/yves-surry/.

T.B. Woldeyohanes, a former AFEPA student: “I am deeply saddened by the news about the passing of Yves Surry. He was such a prolific thinker, generous with ideas and charismatic. I benefited a great deal from Professor Yves since I met him in the summer of 2012 as an AFEPA student at SLU University. He was a blessing for us, AFEPA students. I will always remember his modesty, generosity and professionalism. Rest In Peace, Yves!”

A. Čapkovičová, a former AFEPA student: “Yves was and will ever be one of those teachers that I will never forget, always caring, supporting, patient, listening… Last time that we met, we had a dinner together in Uppsala, talking about life, my career, memories of AFEPA. It was him who told me to register for an EU job and made me believe that I can do it. And he knew that I succeeded. I would have told him more… If it’s not too late now. From now on, I will try to remember it all for once when we meet again to catch up. Yves, it was a pleasure! Merci beaucoup et au revoir.”

As of 1^st February, the application platform will be closed for applications to the ERASMUS Mundus Master’s Programme AFEPA including applications for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. We are very happy to announce that we have received more than 500 applications for the intake of 2021.

We proudly announce the AFEPA student representatives of the intake 20/21. Congratulation to Gremary Aza and Eleanor Gardner! They will share the task to represent AFEPA students at the AFEPA programme coordination, Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA AISBL) and AFEPA advisory board (AB) meetings.

Gremary Aza

Eleanor Gardner

On December 9 at 10.15 a.m. Jens Tuider will give a presentation on “Animal Ethics: An introduction” The lecture will be open for all interested AFEPA students via Zoom. All AFEPA students will receive the necessary access information to the stream before the lecture.

As of October 15, 2020 we accept applications to the 2021/22 edition of the programme. Applications for programme admission AND Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degrees (EMJMD) Scholarships should be sent not later than January 31, 2021. The application new application platform can be found at: www.applications.afepa.eu. Please go to this link for all information regarding your application submission. Before applying, please make sure that you fulfill the AFEPA admission requirements.

Today 02/07/2020 we have had a great remote 2020 advisory board meeting. Thank you to all advisory board members joining the AFEPA Partner Representatives: Máximo Torero Assistant Director General Economic and Social Development Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Jonathan Brooks Head of Division Agricultural and Resource Policies, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Guyo Dureti AFEPA student representative intake 19/20 and Bettina Lorenz AFEPA Alumni.

On May 28^th from 2.30-4.00 pm, dr. Pasquale di Rubbo, Plant Health Officer European Commission – Directorate on Crisis management in Animals, Plants and Feed, will give a webinar on “Emerging plant pests threatening the EU agri-food sector: the case of Xylella fastidiosa”. This lecture is open for all interested AFEPA students and will be given through the platform Microsoft TEAMS. All AFEPA students will receive the necessary access information to the stream before the webinar.

On May 26^th from 2-4pm Professor Härdle from Humboldt-Universität Berlin will give a lecture on p_hacking . This lecture is open for all interested AFEPA students. Please note your interest by including your email address here https://terminplaner.dfn.de/Uy4CQ8GBwauAgUWp no later than May 19^th and you will receive the necessary access information to the stream before the lecture.

Since the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading worldwide we would like to inform all students to regularly check the websites providing information at their home universities.

The information provided on the websites will be updated regularly:

UBonn – Information on the coronavirus

SLU – Coronavirus – information for staff and students

UCSC – FAQ – Coronavirus: informazioni sulle attività didattiche e i servizi

UCLouvain – Coronavirus / Information

This summer again the AFEPA summer school is partnering with the ‘GIOVANNI ANANIA’ SUMMER SCHOOL ON EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY MAKING on the topic of “Machine Learning techniques in agricultural, food and environmental policy analysis” on 13-17 July 2020 in Rende (CS), Italy.

The summer school provides an introduction to the use of machine learning techniques and introduces students to their use in agricultural, food and environmental policy analysis. More information including application information for non-AFEPA students can be found here.

As of 31st January the applications for AFEPA admission with scholarship is closed. We are very happy about over 700 applicants. Until 31st March European and non-European students can still apply without scholarship to the AFEPA program intake in fall 2020 by following www.applications.afepa.eu

The AFEPA staff and students at the University of Bonn wish you Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year!

We proudly announce the intake 19/20 AFEPA student representatives Serena Olivera and Guyo Godana. They will share the task to represent AFEPA students at the Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA AISBL) and AFEPA advisory board (AB) meetings.

AFEPA representatives from the University of Bonn got the chance to visit the college of basic and applied sciences at the University of Ghana in Accra. We are looking forward to great future collaborations!