EARTH University educational model: perspective on agricultural educational models for the twenty-first century

ABSTRACT Institutions of higher education have an important role in preparing the professionals that society needs to confront the challenges of the twenty-first century. A transformation of traditional higher education models must occur to ensure the relevance and impact of university education for the individual and society. This can be achieved by taking a student-centered approach that encourages questions and criticisms and provides students with opportunities to discover knowledge through experience. Additionally, the doors of the university must remain open to students of diverse backgrounds to ensure that the benefits of advanced education permeate society. For the past 25 years, EARTH University – a private, not for profit, international university located in Costa Rica – has implemented an innovative educational model to accomplish its unique mission ‘to form leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and to construct a prosperous and just society’. The EARTH model focuses on four formative areas: scientific and technical knowledge, social and environmental awareness, ethics and values, and entrepreneurship. More than 2000 professionals from over 30 countries in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe are graduates of the EARTH model with proven results. This article presents the EARTH case as a model for study.