Organization of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP-ERASMUS+) on Challenges and Perspectives in the Mediterranean Finfish Farming by the Lab of Applied Hydrobiology, AUA

Athens, August 1, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Organization of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP-ERASMUS+) on Challenges and Perspectives in the Mediterranean Finfish Farming by the Lab of Applied Hydrobiology, AUA

The Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), organized a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled: "Challenges and perspectives in Mediterranean finfish aquaculture", within the framework of the European Educational Programme Erasmus+ KA131 2021-2027. The Programme was coordinated by AUA, under the supervision of Professor Eleni Miliou, Vice-Rector for European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs, and Assistant Professors Emmanouil Malandrakis and Arkadios Dimitroglou from the Department of Animal Science. Three additional higher education institutions from three different countries of the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability also participated. The Programme was a collaboration between the Agricultural University of Athens, the Catholic University of Valencia in Spain, the University of Zadar in Croatia, and the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest in Romania. These four Universities are partners of European University Alliance EU-CONEXUS, in which transnational mobility is promoted.                

This short-term intensive Programme utilized innovative learning and teaching methods, including online collaboration. It was implemented with the participation of 15 undergraduate students from three foreign countries and was carried out in two parts: a mandatory virtual (on-line) activity and a physical mobility component. During the first week of the Programme, from July 1st to 5th, 2024, the virtual activity took place, where students attended lectures on aquaculture, fish welfare, genetic improvement, and microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems. Guest speakers included Professor Michalis Pavlidis from the University of Crete, Professor Dimitrios Chatziplis from the International Hellenic University, and Christos Ioakeimidis, a researcher at the United Nations.

For the physical mobility activities, the participating students traveled to Athens from July 15th to 19th, 2024. They visited the facilities of the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology at the Department of Animal Science AUA for hands-on training in the use of Artemia as live feed in aquaculture. In the following days, the students visited a fish hatchery, a fish farm, a fish packaging and processing plant of Philosofish S.A., and the aquafeed production factory of Irida S.A., where they observed all stages of the production process. The students were guided through the company premises by experienced staff and were informed in detail about their activities. Afterwards, they were offered refreshments in a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. This visit is part of AUA's ongoing commitment to strengthen its cooperation with important stakeholders in various sectors. At the end of the programme, the students were given a tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The Programme was implemented with the support of the AUA European Programme Office.

The aim of the Programme was to highlight the importance of mutual extroversion to stimulate mobility within the Erasmus programme and to allow participants to understand and acquire skills and knowledge related to aquaculture.