Professional practices in agroecological engineering: strategy for the extension and sustainable rural development

Abstract

One of the major challenges faced by Colombian high educational institutions that train professionals
in the rural issues is the design and implementation of educational, research, innovation
and social projection programs, projects and strategies that make it possible to effectively
link between their Human talent and the farmers in solving specific problems. Since the
agro-ecological engineering program of UNIMINUTO, we have been working on the design
and execution of a proposal of professional practices that bring the academy closer to the
rural sector, enabling rural agents to be cooperating actors in the process of training engineers
in Agroecology. As a result, the structure of an innovative professional practice process is
highlighted in which students perform their practices, learn, teach and contribute from applied
agroecology to sustainable rural development. This experience offers important elements to
rural extension from the academy.