By Andi Anderson
The Next Generation Institute (NGI), launched in 2024 by Iowa State University’s Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, is training the next wave of rural development professionals.
The program brings together students and early-career NGO practitioners from Europe, Africa, and Iowa at the ISU-Uganda Program facility in Uganda’s Kamuli District.
Participants attend lectures, visit field programs, and collaborate on team-based projects focused on sustainable rural development. The program allows them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, gaining valuable international experience.
Fia Fernandez, a graduate student in agricultural education, played a key role as workshop coordinator. She worked alongside David Acker and Gail Nonnecke, NGI co-leaders, to organize the program’s logistics and curriculum. Fernandez, who previously completed a global service learning program in Uganda, used her experience to ensure the program’s success.
One of the key goals of NGI is to expand the impact of rural development programs. Participants work with ISU-Uganda Program staff on innovative projects aimed at solving rural challenges. In 2024, students developed proposals like using mealworms as livestock feed to create sustainable income sources.
Participants also gained cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Graduate student Kaylee Kleitsch shared that collaborating with international peers and creating an NGO model was an eye-opening experience.
NGI is supported by donors Tom Miller and Terri Olson Miller. The program continues to build a strong network of future leaders committed to global rural development.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education