Description
Globally, aquaculture has been the fastest growing part of the food sector for the past 25 - 30 years, with Norway being one of its world leaders. On the other hand, aquaculture production in Slovakia is currently less developed. This gap can be fulfilled by offering specialised aquaculture-oriented education provided by UVMP in KE in collaboration with UiN in Bodø. The main problem, which the project will help to address, is the absence of a joint PhD study programme in aquaculture, currently lacking at both universities, and a lack of qualified experts in the practice. The project will have a significant impact on the quality improvement of study and its attractiveness, an enhanced international credit and the competitiveness of the two universities by developing a joint PhD study programme, an innovative teaching method and intensive courses for students and PhD students. The project reflects the needs of the changing knowledge-based society and satisfies the needs of the target groups. The project will have a long-term impact since the new study programme will meet the current need for specialised education with a targeted focus on aquaculture.
Summary of project results
The main reason for the project and its aim at the same time was expanding the degree of bilateral institutional cooperation between the two universities through preparation of joint PhD study programme, an innovative teaching method, intensive courses for students and PhD students and reciprocal mobilities. Outcome of 4 working meetings and intensive cooperation of universities is draft of the accreditation file including the annexes in accordance with the requirements of the Accreditation Commission for the new joint PhD study programme " Aquatic Health and Welfare". The new 3-year study program included in the fields of study “Animal Hygiene and the Environment” and “Food Hygiene” will be taught in English. The Slovak academic staff, in cooperation with the technical staff of the Norwegian university, has developed a new e-learning teaching method that has been introduced into the existing subject "Biophysics" taught at the Norwegian university within the framework of a joint bachelor study program "Animal Science". It consists of 51 videos for better understanding of the subject and a set of 116 questions (including test) and examples. A new method of teaching is planned to be introduced into other subjects and educational activities. 4 Slovak students underwent a two-week intensive course at a partner university dedicated to the aquaculture area, part of which included, in addition to the theoretical part, practical exercises and excursions to a company that is engaged in the freshwater farm of Atlantic salmon. They visited not only several fjords where salmon are kept in seawater, but also so-called Salmon rivers. 3 Norwegian PhD students took part in a two-week intensive course in Slovakia, in the field of animal nutrition, physiology, immunology and pathology. Practical exercises in laboratory techniques and a 2-day excursion to the Veterinary and Food Institute in Dolný Kubín and a fishing facility in Biel Potok supplemented the theoretical part. Over the course of the project, 9 Slovak academics and 8 management representatives and administrative staff and 6 Norwegian academics and 8 management representatives and administrative staff undertook mobility. The project has greatly enriched the partnerships of partner universities at both institutional and personal levels, which is also its major asset.
Summary of bilateral results
Donor project partner, Nord University (former University of Nordland), Bodø, Norway, was an equal partner involved in all project activites. Both partners participated in the project to the same extent, within each activity. Two intensive courses lasting two weeks each were organised for PhD students of partner universities. Academic staff prepared draft of the accreditation file including the annexes in accordance with the requirements of the Accreditation Commission for the new joint PhD study programme " Aquatic Health and Welfare". New e-learning teaching method that has been introduced into the existing subject "Biophysics" taught at the Norwegian university within the framework of a joint bachelor study program "Animal Science". The project has greatly enriched the partnerships of partner universities at both institutional and personal levels, which is also its major asset. As a result, there is a stronger partnership between the two universities and the prospects for future cooperation during the implementation of project outputs.