International Food and Nutrition Security Initiative

TitleInternational Food and Nutrition Security Initiative
Faculty/College/UnitLand & Food Systems
StatusCompleted
Duration2 Year
Initiation04/01/2010
Completion03/31/2013
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2010/2011
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorJudy McLean
Year 1: Funded Amount42,700
Year 1: Team Members

Judy McLean, Senior Instructor, Food, Nutrition and Health (FNH), Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Tim Green, Associate Professor, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Katherine Beaumont, Director, Go Global, International Learning Programs
Yvonne Lamers, Assistant Professor, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
David Kitts, Director, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Karol Travis, Coordinator, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Roxana Quinde, Co-ordinator, Global Partnerships, GRS Program
Ranga Venkatachary, Director, The Learning Centre
Tamara Baldwin, Associate Director, Go Global International Learning Programs
Anita Ho, Assistant Professor, Centre for Applied Ethics
Lindsay Lenters, Dietetics, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Sophia Baker-French, Dietetics, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Melissa Boizot-Roche, Global Resource Systems
Mandeep Sanghera, Student, Human Nutrition, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Hanako Okano, Global Resource Systems
Alejandra De Zepeda, Student, Women and Gender Studies, Faculty of Arts

Year 1: Summary

Our ultimate goal is to develop an undergraduate program stream in the Human Nutrition program that is unique in North America with a focus on International Nutrition. There is a growing demand for students trained in International Nutrition from both national and international organizations involved in food security and health. In parallel, there is a large student demand for international course work and related field experience at the undergraduate level that provides for broader qualifications that can lead to professional career opportunities in international food, nutrition and health. Receiving TLEF support will enable: 1) international experiential learning, teaching and research opportunities; 2) partnerships with academic institutions, govemmental and NGOs; 3) capacity building of partner countries and organizations; 4) nutrition education resource sharing with institutions and 5) creation of assessment tools for sustainable expansion of International Nutrition for undergraduates.

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2012/2013
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorJudy McLean
Year 2: Funded Amount54,120
Year 2: Team Members

Judy McLean, Senior Instructor, Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH), Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Tim Green, Associate Professor, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Tamara Baldwin, Acting Director, Go Global International Learning Programs
Gwen Chapman, Director / Professor, FNH, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Andrew Riseman, Associate Professor, Agroecology and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Andrew Rushmere, Academic Coordinator, UBC Farm
Larry Lynd, Associate Professor, Pharmacy
Amynah Janmohamed, Student, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Sophia Baker-French, Student, Nutrition
Kathy Ho, Dietetics, FNH
Naseam Ahmadi, Student, Nutrition
Roberta Wozniak, Student, Nutrition
Molly Newman, Global Resource Systems
Sara Elder, Student, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability
Matthew Brown, Nutrition

Year 2: Summary

A 2010/2011 TLEF grant enabled a strong foundation to be laid for development of a unique undergraduate major, ‘International Nutrition’. The first year saw development of international placements, creation of a new 4th year course, strong partnerships established and a curriculum proposal written following a needs assessment. As demand for qualified individuals in the field of Food Security and International Nutrition increases, so does the interest of UBC students. Building undergraduate and graduate student competencies requires applicable course work in combination with relevant field experience to prepare graduates for international opportunities, TLEF support for the second phase of the initiative will enable implementation of recommendations from year one and will see: 1) International Nutrition fully integrated as a Major; 2) a field studies course incorporated into the curriculum; 3) international partnerships strengthened; 4) capacity building of partners including development of nutrition education resources and; 5) mechanisms for program sustainability developed.