« 3 days of Agronomy »: reinforcing the ties between teachers and students

Reinforcing the ties existing between teachers and students, such is the slogan of the event « 3 days of Agronomy », taking place in ESSAGRO (High Institue of Agronomic Science) at Ankatso from August 9 to 11. Actually, held every year within the ESSAGRO facilities, the day of Agronomy gathers at the same time sports, cultural and scientific events. For this year’s edition, various activities have been scheduled by its organizers, including graduation ceremony of the 5th year class called « Ampinga », official welcoming ceremony for the 1st year students, roundtables, medals ceremony for deserving administrative employees, and trade shows.

Inaugurated in 1963, ESSAGRO is the only public institute specializing in agronomic science in Madagascar. Theoretically, the study in ESSAGRO lasts 5 years during which students, now and then, have to do work experiences in different companies generally considered as partners. Since its creation, ESSAGRO, whose basic training slogan is excellence in favor of development, cannot receive more than 100 new students every year. This very limited student number is mainly due to “the lack of infrastructures and also to the lack of accommodation facilities” declared Jean Rasoarahona, General Manager of ESSAGRO. In order to do practical researches, for example, students have to organize themselves into 4 groups because the research laboratory, not having many computers, can only receive 25 students per session. Now that more and more students are getting interested in Agronomic study, the ESSAGRO’s administration must make considerable effort to find solution to the current problems in a very short time.