Edinburgh's global academy aims to equip future leaders for challenges ahead
A new hub for teaching and research in Edinburgh will focus on global food security, aiming to give future leaders the skills and knowledge to face the challenges ahead.
The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security will be based at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
As well as leading world-class research on food security, sustainable rural development and the wellbeing of animals and people, the hub will offer undergraduate and postgraduate training, educational activities and resources. It will also draw on expertise from the schools of medicine, biological sciences, geosciences and informatics.
Professor Geoff Simm, current vice principal research at Scotland's Rural College, is set to lead the academy. He will take up his post as assistant principal and director on 1 October, 2016.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: "Food security is about ensuring a supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food, for all people, at all times. This is a massively complex challenge, with health, environmental, economic, political, cultural and behavioural, as well as agricultural, dimensions.
"The University and partners can make even greater interdisciplinary, academic contributions, across many schools and existing Global Academies, as well as having global practical impact.
"I look forward to leading the new Global Academy to be a catalyst for these contributions in future, delivering excellent science in global agriculture and food security, promoting translation into practice through education of future leaders, and through collaborative research and knowledge exchange."
Image © University of Edinburgh
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