Emmanuel Badewa
First graduate of the M.Sc., Boreal ecosystem and agricultural sciences
What`s your background?
I’m from Nigeria where I graduated from Obafemi
Awolowo University with a bachelor of agriculture in 2013. Then, I served the country as a soil scientist through a
voluntary youth service scheme at the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture in
2014/2015. After which I moved to Newfoundland for my master of science program
in boreal ecosystems and agricultural sciences (BEAS).
Why did you apply?
During my service year at the ministry of
agriculture in 2015, I was looking out for a post-graduate
opportunity outside Nigeria. I saw the advertisement for the graduate research
assistantship positions at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University through a mail
from a friend. Then, I chose to apply for Vadose zone hydrology/hydrogeophysics position because of my interest
in soil and water and I was admitted.
How was your experience here?
My experience was great and enormous. It was an
opportunity for me to live on another
side of the world that is different from what I am used to: weather, people, research activities, to mention a few. I was part of the
Hydrology and Agrophysics research team led by Dr. Lakshman Galagedara where we
have to work on the field and in the laboratory. The chance to research new
ideas and strategies, and then watch them being discussed is incredible and
encouraging. Living with the Newfoundlanders during my program is another great
privilege because they are nice and kind-hearted.
What did you
learn?
I learned a
lot about boreal and island agriculture which is a bit different from the tropical agriculture I am used to. The courses I offered during the program
highly impacted my passion for agriculture and environmental studies. I picked
up many new technical skills. This includes
working with geophysical instruments, high tech laboratory equipment,
hydrological and mapping tools. I was opportune to attend various conferences
for oral and poster presentations. The BEAS program gave me the opportunity to network and work with other graduate students and professionals in
the field of agriculture and environmental science.
Any advice to other graduates?
Be as open as possible, and available to tackle any
opportunity or challenge that comes your way. Be prepared to adapt your skills
to suit new and exciting challenges. Be focus, proactive, persistent and
optimistic. Take the value you can add and create as important as the grade and
degree you are looking for.