The Master's Degree Programme in
Environment and Natural Resources MENVI
Designing Tomorrow's Agriculture: Role of Ecosystem Services, August 7 to 23, 2012
Helsinki Summer School (HSS) is a three-week academic event organised every August by the universities in the Helsinki area. HSS arranges a variety of different acedemic summer courses you may choose from. One of the choices in summer 2012 is the course Designing Tomorrow's Agriculture: Role of Ecosystem Services.
By participating one is able to learn more about ecosystem services – the goods and services derived from natural and managed ecosystems upon which human welfare depends.
Why to attend this course?
- To learn to recognise a range of ecosystem services related to agricultural production
- To become familiar with currently available agronomic and technological advances that enhance ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems
- To be able to apply ecological principles and agronomic knowledge to practical on-farm
solutions; and the last but not the least, - To acquire working skills in an intercultural, multilingual and interdisciplinary group, an d in reflective and collaborative learning.
The course Designing Tomorrow's Services: Role of Ecosystem Services is led by Dr. Irina Herzon, Docent in Agroecology in the University of Helsinki. Several guest lecturers – top experts in their specific fields – will be involved in teaching.
This course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the concept of ecosystem services. The focus is especially but not exclusively on organic systems.
Helsinki Summer School isn’t just about the classroom experience.Learning during the course happens to a large extent outside the classroom, on farms and at study trips. Real farms are used as case studies on the course.
The course will also introduce students of different educational cultures to principles and practices of reflective learning, in which learners are engaged actively in optimising their learning according to own local situations and personal objectives.
The experience is also about meeting new people and having fun! HSS arranges a wide range of social events to help students get to know both each other and Finland.
Comments from last year's course:
"I have to say that this was one of the best courses I have ever taken, and I will
be telling other potential candidates about it. Thank you so much for running such a
great course and for being so involved."
Adam, Egypt
"The course group feels like a big family and the experience helps me
adapt to life in Helsinki. The family feeling continues in MENVI program."
Yongchen, China
"I definitely enjoyed it and I will always look back with a smile and with lots of things in
my mind that I have learned. The course was really motivating for my studies!"
Judith, Germany
"After taking your course over the summer I have continued to study a variety of topics
that aroused my interest during the classes and I have since been waiting patiently to
apply for these masters programs. This type of education is something I value very much and is the type of learning system I want to be a part of while advancing my studies to a master's level."
Steven, Canada
Read more about Helsinki Summer School
On a farm excursion.
On an excursion to a wetland area in Tuusula area.
Field work and lab work.
Group work in the classroom.
Photos: Laura Kihlström and Irina Herzon