Daisy Odunze studying a Masters in Environmental Technology

We met up with UCD student, Daisy Odunze, from Nigeria, who spoke to us about why she chose to come study the Masters in Environmental Technology at UCD and her journey so far.

Studying with UCD has been a journey of self-discovery for me. Beyond being renowned for its global impact in research and education, UCD positively impacts the lives of students through its different support systems and learning opportunities. These includes academic support, career guidance support, physical and mental health support, volunteering opportunities, varied social and sport activities, as well as many opportunities for one to gain wider knowledge on different subject areas including different social issues. Studying with UCD is a wholesome experience.

Why did you choose UCD?

Deciding on changing career paths is never an easy decision for anyone especially when that change requires learning and upskilling. I chose UCD because of the different options on offer targeted at diverse groups of people at different stages of life. Whether you are a young school leaver, a graduate desiring to further your studies, an early career and mid-career professional wanting to upskill and gain expertise in an emerging area of study or you are someone desiring a career change, UCD has a course tailored for everyone.

What has your pathway to this point looked like so far?

As an agricultural economist and sustainable agriculture scientist, I have a keen interest in the sustainability of the ecological environment utilised by the agricultural production sector. My previous degrees which include Bachelor of technology in Agricultural Economics, a masters and PhD degree in Sustainable Agriculture qualified me for a direct entry into the Environmental Technology programme. While My Bachelor’s degree gave me a solid foundation in the economics of agricultural production, and my studies in sustainable agriculture enables me to directly link agrifood production processes to areas of universal interest - food security and sustainability, I always felt that there was a missing link in my knowledge of how it all connects to the environment, climate change and vice versa. Agricultural production is cited as the one activity with the most impact on the natural environment and climate change, and at the same time it is cited as the sector most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. My current area of study (Environmental Technology) provides me with an in-depth understanding of the complex interface between human activities and ecological resource management, providing insights on the impacts on the environment through emissions to soil, water and air as well as the wider impact on climate change.

Why did you choose the Masters in Environmental Technology?

Choosing the master’s programme in Environmental Technology meant finding answers to a myriad of questions I had, and bridging the gap in my knowledge of how the two areas I am interested in (agricultural production and the natural environment) impact each other. This course equips me with the skills to analyse the impact of human activities (agricultural or otherwise) on the environment and the knowledge of the different technologies and strategies that can be leveraged to minimise and manage these impacts. This course of study complements my previous study areas and provides me a knowledge base to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations in research, consultancy and technology development projects, providing me with an array of choices in career paths to take.

How have you settled in?

Settling into life at UCD was quite easy given the vibrant welcoming atmosphere, access to different resources and facilities as well as the community support system available to students. Though I arrived seven weeks late due to circumstances beyond my control, I was able to settle in effortlessly and catch up with studies due to the massive support I received from my lecturers and classmates.

What do you enjoy most about UCD?

There are so many things I enjoy about UCD but what I like the most is the diversity, inclusive and friendly culture of the university, which to me is a reflection of the country as a whole.

What have your classmates / academics been like:

It has been an interesting and fun experience with my classmates, made up of young adults of different nationalities who bring their peculiar uniqueness, diverse experiences and expertise in different subject areas to the group, making learning and supporting each other easy. I believe we have achieved a healthy balance between study life and social life in the group.

Kind and very supportive are the words I will use to describe the academics.

What are your future plans?

I strongly believe that the goal of creating a sustainable global society starts from promoting the sustainability of the natural environment. My future plan is to be part of an international network of agri-food and environment sustainability professionals who actively work to promote sustainable use of the natural environment by exploring and developing adaptation measures needed to address the complex environmental issues and climate change impacts on agriculture, food security and sustainability for the people now and in the future.

To find out more about studying the Masters in Environmental Technology click here or if you have any queries about studying at UCD email (opens in a new window)katie.oneill@ucd.ie