Global Programs

Since 1993, the Center for International Research, Education, and Development has supported Virginia Tech’s faculty, administration, and staff in acquiring and implementing international projects and activities. We accomplish this by drawing on and strengthening the expertise of faculty, staff, and students in units, departments, and colleges across Virginia Tech’s campus.

We also work with our global partners representing international centers, research institutions, local governments, non-profit organizations and foundations and funding agencies such as USAID to develop programs and initiatives that improve the lives of people throughout the world.

The result has been an international research, education, and development operation that has brought in more than $150 million since 1993 and has a current sponsored research and education portfolio of $60 million.

Current programs

Escuela Nacional Central de Agricultura (ENCA) – Guatemala: strengthens agricultural technical and vocational education and training (ATVET) at ENCA, a public school that offers secondary degrees in agriculture and forestry. The project is expected to play a major role in improving the agricultural workforce.

Feed the Future Senegal Youth in Agriculture: builds the capacity and supports the institutionalization of sustainable positive youth development and vocational training systems that create dynamic and profitable entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth

Honduras Rural Livelihoods Study: examines the causes of violence in Honduras and migration. The study helps identify how young people respond to violence such as the choice to migrate rather than pursue employment, studies, or a career in agriculture.

Integrated Pest Management Innovation Lab (IPM Innovation Lab): develops and implements approaches to pest management that help raise the standard of living and improve the environment in developing countries

InnovATE Armenia: promotes economic growth by helping to develop a workforce trained to increase the competitiveness of Armenia’s agriculture sector

Exploring the Use of Blockchain Technology to Improve Food Security Through African Indigenous Vegetables in Western Kenya: a project that seeks to understand how smartphone applications using blockchain technology can improve food security in Western Kenya by addressing the functionality of value chains for African indigenous vegetables (AIVs).

Past programs

USAID Education and Research in Agriculture (ERA): strengthened human and institutional capacity in agricultural teaching, research, training, and outreach in order to serve the needs of the Senegalese public and private sectors such as farmers and women food processors.

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (SANREM): used the science of conservation agriculture as part of an interdisciplinary approach to improving the livelihoods and food security of small farmers in the developing world

Innovation for Agricultural Training and Education (InnovATE): worked to achieve sustainable food security, reduce poverty, promote rural innovation and stimulate employment by building human and institutional capacity