Dr. Bhavani Shankar, an alum from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was recently honored with the prestigious Gates Foundation Goalkeeper Champion Award. Shankar was selected for his work in increasing access and affordability of nutrient dense foods to rural markets.

Twenty-five members of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program participated in two days of seminars at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Feb. 6-7 to broaden their international perspectives and understanding of Illinois’ place in global agriculture. 

Globally, women’s workforce participation is about 25% lower than men’s, often due to barriers such as domestic responsibilities and cultural norms. Vocational training can increase employment opportunities, but women may not be able to attend training programs that require them to be away from home.

Four exceptional graduate students from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) have received funding to conduct doctoral research related to food security in a developing country, in collaboration with an International Agricultural Research Center, as part of the ACES Global Food Security Fellowship program.

Congratulations to the 2024 ACES International Food Security Fellows, whose projects, partners, and mentors are listed below:

Four faculty from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) have received funding to further their international work through the longstanding ACES International Seed Grant program, facilitated by the Office of International Programs. 

Chaya Sandler’s return from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, brought with it an abundance of experiences, stories, and knowledge to share back on campus. Her trip, which was sponsored by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign program meant to enhance global competencies among staff and foster global engagement, was nothing short of enriching.

A team of undergraduate students from the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, competed at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) 2024 Venture Building Challenge on Nov. 14–15.

Through the innovative Global Food Security Internship program, selected undergraduates in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) are working with faculty mentors on specific projects towards global food and nutrition security in low- and middle-income countries.

A delegation representing Argentina’s Córdoba province visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Nov. 6 as part of a tour to learn how industry, government, and start-ups interact in the U.S. university ecosystem.