The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
"ISHS Young Minds Committee"
are you a student embarking upon your academic journey or an early career professional
• Do you believe you have the power to make the world a better place?
• Do you aspire to transform the world through horticulture?
• Are you looking for professional guidance and mentoring to support your career?If so – the ISHS YMC is there for you(*)!
The ISHS Board (2022-2026) has launched this new and innovative program. A copy of the presentation by Patricia Paiva, ISHS Vice-President and responsible for Young Minds introducing the ISHS YMC can be downloaded (see link in the bottom of this web page).
After online meetings and a public call for candidates, many 'young minds' with a keen interest and commitment to Horticulture stepped up to candidate for a position on the committee.
A Selection Commission, composed of ISHS members from all regions worldwide, had a hard job selecting as all candidates showcased outstanding qualities.
Following 12 candidates made it successfully through the selection procedure and are now part of the ISHS Young Minds Committee (2022-2026):
- Africa: Student: Winnie Wambugu (Kenya) and Early Career: Keanu Martin (S. Africa)
- Asia: Student: Lijun Zhou (China) and Early Career: Hyungmin (Tony) Rho (Taiwan)
- Europe: Student: Isabella Righini (The Netherlands) and Early Career: Marta Silva (Portugal)
- North America: Student: Chayce Griffith (USA) and Early Career: Scott Orr (USA)
- Oceania: Student: Navneet Kaur (Australia) and Early Career: Claire Scofiel (New Zealand)
- South America: Student: Rayan Vargas (Argentina) and Early Career: Sofia Flores (Peru)
The formal establishment of the ISHS YMC took place on February 14, 2024 and resulted in establishing the following leadership roles: President of the YMC: Chayce Griffith, Vice-President: Winnie Wambugu and Secretary: Lijun Zhou.
The first operational steps such as defining the committee's priorities are being developed.
Refer to Chronica Horticulturae 64/02 (pages 6-11) in which an introduction by Patricia Paiva and a short presentation of the YMC members was published. More details will be posted here in due course as they become available.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Patricia Paiva, ISHS Vice-President and responsible for Young Minds, by filling the web form.
Young Minds: cultivating the future of Horticulture
(*) Age limit for students or early career professionals to join YMC is 40 years.
Download the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - see link below under the 'Documents' header - for more information.
