New program engages senior undergraduate students in food security solutions

Senior business students looking to apply their skills to an actionable project have a new course option this September. ICON, an innovative learning opportunity developed by professors Shoshanah Jacobs and Dan Gillis, will unite senior undergraduate students from multiple disciplines to brainstorm and develop food security solutions, in partnership with the Feeding 9 Billion project. It will be an experiential learning opportunity that focuses on some of the most pressing issues affecting the global community.

The new course requires students to participate in the Feeding 9 Billion Challenge, a weekend-long event where undergraduate students work in teams to develop innovative projects fostering a more sustainable food system. The ideas formulated during the challenge will be further developed by ICON students throughout the rest of the semester, in collaboration with students from the University of Guelph’s First Year Seminar program. Each team will include students from different programs across the university.

"This unique and innovative academic challenge aligns perfectly with values of the College of Business and Economics and our students,” said Julia Christensen Hughes, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “I encourage any business student who wishes to truly make a difference with their degree to consider enrolling in the course."

What is ICON?

• A new course for senior undergraduate students where they work in multidisciplinary teams and in collaboration with a community partner to develop sustainable solutions to current problems
• It is a unique opportunity for business students to apply their skills to actionable projects

What you need to know

• You must be in third, fourth or fifth year at the University of Guelph to participate
• You must be able to participate in the Feeding 9 Billion Challenge from September 17 to 18 (overnight)
• You must register in an independent study course such as BUS4550, ECON4900 or MCS4910

For more information, contact Kelly Hodgins (hodginsk@uoguelph.ca), or visit the Feeding 9 Billion website.