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Description
The aim of the project is to prepare and carry out a visit to the office of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority MAST aimed at enhancing professional skills of the teaching staff in the field of veterinary technician education, deepening and developing cooperation between the schools in Poland and Iceland as well as working out a plan of action based on gained experience. The key need of ZSCKR is the development of the vocational and practical training staff for the profession of Veterinary Technician as well as transfer of good practises and experience of European units onto the school ground especially in the area of using modern veterinary technologies.
MAST is a national institution responsible for food standards, health and well-being of animals, feed standards, quality of seeds and fertilizers, well-being of plants and quality of water intended for drinking by humans. The institution performs tasks which in Poland are responsibility of the Veterinary Inspection and other units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health including National Labour Inspectorate. It is the body granting the right to practice the profession of veterinary doctors in Iceland and its units provide veterinary services. Tasks performed by MAST are completely consistent with the project requirements and the subject of the application which makes MAST an ideal partner to achieve all the objectives defined in the application.
The study visit participants are specialists in veterinary field, animal breeding and agriculture with recognized teaching and scientific achievements with experience in applying and coordinating international projects. In the team there is a person from managing staff who has a broad experience in fundraising for school development, introduction of innovations in the field of vocational training.
Summary of project results
A key need for the Agricultural Training Center School Complex is the development of vocational and practical training personnel in the veterinary technician field and the transfer to the institution of good practices and experiences of European entities, especially in the area of the use of modern veterinary technologies. MAST, the Icelandic host institution, is a state institution with jurisdiction over food safety, animal health and welfare, feed safety, seed and fertilizer quality, plant health and water quality for human consumption. It performs tasks that in Poland belong, among others, to the Veterinary Inspection and other units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health, including the State Sanitary Inspection. As part of the study visit, held in May 2022, participants learned about the activities of the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority in the areas of veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and agriculture, as well as education at Huanneyri and Hólar universities. The exchange of experiences made it possible to compare the work of veterinarians and veterinary services in Iceland and Poland. Teachers from Poland were able to expand their knowledge and skills in animal health and welfare by participating in field activities on dairy cattle, sheep, Arctic trout or horse farms. A visit to an Icelandic dairy cattle farm and a sheep farm of an indigenous breed adapted to harsh climatic conditions allowed them to compare the principles of husbandry and breeding in Poland and Iceland. During the field classes, teachers learned about the production and use of medicated feeds, the use of modern technology to control animal populations, their identification and registration. An interesting experience for managers and teachers was a study session at Friðheimar, where tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries are grown in a geothermal-heated greenhouse complex. At this facility, they were also introduced to the principles of pesticide-free production, the use of bumblebee hives to pollinate plants and the management of space for conducting additional activities.
Summary of bilateral results
In the concluding meeting, an evaluation was carried out and a framework was established for future cooperation in the field of youth exchange and scientific support in the area of new technologies and raising the competence of the teaching staff of veterinary service education in Poland and Iceland. All the objectives of the study visit regarding raising the competence of teaching staff in veterinary technician education, expanding and developing cooperation between MAST (Matvælastofnum) and ZSCKR, as well as in developing an action plan based on the experience gained, were achieved. At every level of project implementation, as well as the study visit, all assumptions were jointly agreed upon. Cooperation with the Icelandic Host Institution was exemplary both in terms of organization and content.