The Dov Institute is much more than a school—it’s a movement to revolutionize both farming and educational practice in Niger. Every part of it is designed to be first class. In previous emails, we shared the work behind our exceptional facilities, innovative curriculum, and hands-on learning approach. Now, we’re excited to talk about the final piece—attracting outstanding students. And in some ways, this was our toughest challenge yet.
To qualify for the Dov Institute, students must attend high school, follow a science track, and pass the Baccalaureate exam. This is a very select group. Only a small percentage of young people in Niger attend high school, even fewer choose the science path, and just one third of those pass the Bac.
Adding to the challenge, farming in Niger—and across Africa—has a low reputation. It’s seen as the work of the poorest, and many young people prefer careers in other fields. In time the Dov Institute will change this image, but not in time for our first cohort.
We initially planned for a class of 25 students and spent months on a targeted recruiting campaign. We hosted student visits on the campus, participated in career fairs, and boosted our presence on social media. We generated interest from 250 potential students, but after the Bac results came in, only a fraction qualified, and just a handful applied.
So, our first class will consist of 14 students—9 young men and 5 young women. They’re strong students, passionate about agriculture, and eager to take advantage of the unique opportunities the Dov Institute offers. These pioneers are laying the foundation for the Institute’s future success. Twenty years from now, we hope they’ll all be thriving, maybe even famous, with incredible stories to tell about their early days at Niger’s premier agricultural training center