Read on to hear about Louis Bately’s experiences on the STAMP programme.
“I was fortunate enough to be on the Strategic Food and Agribusiness Management Programme (STAMP) for two years, finishing up in November 2023. The programme helped build my capability immensely, mainly due to how it was structured.
The programme takes a diverse cohort of diverse individuals from all aspects of the agrifood industry, and some adjacent industries, and educates them using the Harvard case method, a form of teaching where students read case studies and debate them in an open manner. During my time on the programme, I was fortunate enough to learn about aquiculture, kiwifruit, seeds, red meat, honey and gin.
The main reasons that I found this programme so effective was that it allowed me some exposure to international agribusiness, which is important as the primary sector is heavily exported so it is good to understand where we fit in. Additionally, the programme creates a great learning environment which has both peer to peer learning and experiential learning, both which are incredibly effective. Perhaps most importantly, the programme significantly improved my confidence, as well as allowing me to develop several soft skills.
After completing the programme, I decided to complete the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme where I looked into the benefits of case studies for early career professionals in the primary sector. My report found that participants had similar views as to me, and most noted how important it has been in their career development. One of my key recommendations was to consider reinterviewing participants in a decade to see where they have ended up and to ask what impact they thought it has had in their career.
For anyone considering applying to this programme, I would highly recommend it.”
