MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Business

Program Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Business from International Hellenic University offers an interdisciplinary approach to agriculture, emphasizing sustainable production, agribusiness management, and marketing. The program caters to a diverse range of professionals seeking expertise in the field and provides opportunities for research, internships, and career advancement. Graduates are equipped with specialist knowledge and skills for roles in agricultural enterprises, government agencies, and research institutions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Business is offered by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Economics of the University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) at the International Hellenic University (IHU). The program is taught exclusively in English and is available in both full-time and distance learning modes. It approaches agriculture from an interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on:

• Increasing agricultural production while minimizing environmental impact.
• Developing and managing agricultural enterprises of various sizes.
• Marketing and trading of agricultural products.
The program aims to serve:
• University and technological education institute graduates seeking expertise in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness.
• Professionals wanting to establish agricultural start-up companies.
• Professionals in the private/public agricultural/agribusiness sectors wishing to redirect their careers or enhance their skills.

Outline:

The program's duration is 1.5 years full-time (non-experimental dissertation), 2 years full-time (experimental dissertation), or a doubled duration for part-time study (weekends or distance learning).

First Term:

• The Biological Environment: Covers fundamental concepts of modern biology, plant anatomy and physiology, plant metabolism, and the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on plant growth.
• Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture: Focuses on soil processes, interactions between biotic and abiotic components, and management practices to ensure high plant production with good soil quality.
It also addresses soil quality indicators.
• Agri and BioProduct Finance: Introduces fundamental principles of modern economic theory, economic management, and organizational mindset related to economic knowledge and processes in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors.
• Integrated Pest Management: Covers basic principles of integrated pest management (prevention, monitoring, intervention), including biological control, chemical control, and relevant legislation and certifications.
• Management and Marketing Strategies: Focuses on business management and marketing principles and tools, applying theoretical concepts to real-life examples in bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture.

Second Term:

• Precision Agriculture Technologies for Sustainable Crop Management: Provides specialized knowledge on precision agriculture methods and technologies, including GPS, satellites, drones, and GIS.
• Soil Microbial Inoculants and Biostimulants for Sustainable Crop Production: Covers the use of biostimulants and biofertilizers to combat crop stress, increase soil fertility, and reduce chemical inputs.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Focuses on the conception, design, organization, and management of new businesses in the agri-food sector.
• Sustainable Water Resources Management in Agriculture: Covers integrated approaches to crop irrigation, including calculating crop water requirements and selecting appropriate irrigation systems.

Elective Courses (choose one):

• Strategic Business Analysis Methods: Explores business research and planning methods, including market research and the use of statistical tools.
• Sustainable Development: Policies and Strategies: Examines the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their implementation, and related governance issues.
• Integrated Disease Management: Covers integrated disease management systems, focusing on multidimensional approaches to controlling crop diseases.
• Greenhouse Management: Familiarizes students with the design, construction, and operation of modern greenhouse and hydroponic units.

The Dissertation:

The dissertation is an individual project of original scientific work, either non-experimental (one semester) or experimental (two semesters). Students choose a topic from a list suggested by a faculty member who acts as a supervisor.

Teaching:

The program uses a combination of lectures, potentially including open-source lectures (videos are mentioned for three courses), and likely other teaching methods although not explicitly stated. Teaching takes place on weekends and is also available in a distance learning mode. Attendance is compulsory with a limit on allowed absences. The program starts in November. A list of faculty members with links to their CVs is provided.

Careers:

Graduates will have specialist expertise and high-level cognitive skills. Career opportunities may be found in:

• Agricultural product enterprises of various sizes
• Cooperatives and industries
• Government and local/rural agencies
• Research institutes
• National and international organizations
The IHU Molecular Ecology/Molecular Biology Lab and Soil Ecology Lab are mentioned as available facilities. The program also offers excellence awards (20% tuition discount) for candidates with a 7.5/10 undergraduate degree or higher. The program is located in Thermi-Thessaloniki.

The programme fees for the MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Business is 2,500€. The amount is payable in two instalments for the full time mode or in four instalments for the part time mode at the beginning of each semester. The fees are also eligible for financing through LAEK – OAED programme. Deposits This amount will count towards the first instalment of your tuition fees. The deposit is non-refundable once you have commenced your studies at the IHU. Prior to that, a refund can be made but a 20% administrative fee will be retained. The deposit can be paid by bank transfer or bank draft. Credit card payments can be made through electronic banking (contact your Bank as handling fees may apply).

• For non-EU students, an advance payment of 1.250 Euros out of 2.500 Euros towards the tuition fees must be paid.