EARTH University, located in Guácimo, Limón & EARTH University – La Flor, located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a private, international, non-profit university which offers an undergraduate program leading to a licenciatura degree in agricultural sciences and the rational use of natural resources.
EARTH University was created out of a conviction that the environmental and social challenges confronting the planet can be resolved through education that promotes science, technology and entrepreneurship while focusing on essential human values, leadership and a commitment to social and environmental service.
| EARTH University | |
|---|---|
| Universidad EARTH | |
| Established | 1990[1] |
| Type | Private |
| President | Dr. José Zaglul |
| Provost | Daniel Sherrard |
| Students | 410 |
| Location | Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica |
| Campus | Rural |
| Website | www.earth.ac.cr |
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The Costa Rican Commission for Agricultural Affairs presented the proposal for the creation of EARTH University to the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica on April 2, 1986. The legislators deliberated for several months and finally approved the project in October of the same year.
The cornerstone of the first campus building was laid on April 2, 1989, initiating construction on the University's 8,154-acre (33.00 km2) property. Today's 570,280-square-foot (52,981 m2) campus community includes classrooms, laboratories, academic and administrative offices, recreational areas, services and residences for students, faculty and staff.
On March 26, 1990, government officials, private business owners, farmers, residents of nearby communities, university directors and the 60 young men and women who would make up the “pioneer” class at EARTH gathered to inaugurate both the campus and the first academic year.[2]
As of 2009 the enrollment at EARTH numbered 410 students, a third of whom hail from Costa Rica, with the rest coming from 24 other countries.
Each incoming class comprises about 100 students, chosen from a pool of some 1,300 applicants. The majority of students receive scholarships to cover all or part of EARTH University's $15,000 tuition.[3]
The campus of EARTH University is located in the heart of the humid tropics in Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica. EARTH’s 8,154-acre (33.00 km2) property[4] includes educational facilities, a library specializing in agricultural and environmental topics, laboratories, a rainforest reserve with primary and secondary forests, and a farm dedicated to agricultural and cattle production.
EARTH Plants the Future is a tree planting project organized by EARTH University and its graduates as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. On World Environment Day, Saturday, June 5, 2010, EARTH and its students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends will simultaneously plant at least 200,000 trees in more than 26 countries across the globe where its alumni reside.[5]