Archives: Agenda

• The international organization located on the agricultural research Campus of Aula Dei in Zaragoza takes part in the kick-off meeting in Germany

CIHEAM Zaragoza participates in the PREMIERE project that aims to strengthen knowledge and innovation systems in the agricultural and forestry sectors in Europe. The intergovernmental organization, whose Spanish headquarters are based on the agricultural research Campus of Aula Dei in Zaragoza, is one of the consortium’s 15 partners from twelve European countries that attended the project’s kick-off meeting from 27 to 29 March at the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde (Germany).

PREMIERE will run for five years (2023-2027) and will provide support and training in the preparation of multi-actor project proposals for European R&D and innovation funding. As Alun Jones, head of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s projects unit explains: “In order to strengthen innovation, it is essential to connect multiple actors that use and generate knowledge in the agriculture and food sector”.

PREMIERE focuses its attention on the phase prior to the approval of a project, when different organizations come together to write a proposal and present it to the calls for the European agriculture and forestry sector. In this respect, CIHEAM Zaragoza will design and provide training tools to enhance collaboration and exchange and pool knowledge in these multi-actor projects.

CIHEAM ZARAGOZA will coordinate a mediterranean panel of experts

CIHEAM Zaragoza will also coordinate several online and face-to-face events to facilitate high-level multi-actor dialogues. For example, a panel of experts from the Mediterranean will include people involved in policy-making, advisors, farmers, foresters, training and research centres, as well as organizations and other bodies working in agriculture and forestry. Laura Quijano, project manager in CIHEAM Zaragoza’s projects unit talks about their involvement: “There will be four multi-actor groups focusing on different geographic areas. CIHEAM will assemble the expert discussion panel for the Mediterranean region”.

PREMIERE is a multi-actor project in itself, where partners from the scientific field collaborate with rural development consultants, chambers of commerce or public administrations. When creating the international consortium the idea has been to involve countries with a low level of participation in European research and innovation projects. Hence, five of the partners represent Member States from eastern Europe.

PREMIERE is financed by Horizon Europe and has a total budget of 5 million euros, of which EUR 513,625 will be allocated to the tasks undertaken by CIHEAM Zaragoza.

• The Spanish headquarters of CIHEAM, specialized in postgraduate education for international cooperation in agriculture and food, has trained over 17,000 post graduates and professionals since its creation over 50 years ago.

• Experts from across the world deliver a wide range of training programmes attracting students every year from 40 countries.

CIHEAM Zaragoza has updated its training offer with 7 masters for the academic year 2023-24 and 8 specialized courses programmed up to December 2023. These training activities cover a wide range of topics, from plant breeding and animal nutrition to sustainable fisheries management or water management, among others. A pioneer in delivering advanced courses and master’s programmes in Spain, CIHEAM Zaragoza has trained more than 17,000 postgraduates and professionals since its creation over 50 years ago.

Experts from universities, research centres, international organizations, administrations and firms all over the world are invited to deliver numerous training programmes based on their expertise and prestige in each of the topics. As the director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, Raúl Compés, points out: “We choose the best. This flexibility [to count on guest lecturers] gives us a significant advantage over other programmes, as we can guarantee top quality and state-of-the art courses”.

This international profile is not exclusive to lecturers. The students that attend CIHEAM Zaragoza’s training activities every year come from around 40 countries.

Two international masters will commence at CIHEAM Zaragoza in the academic year 2023-24

In 2023-24, CIHEAM Zaragoza will host a new edition of the International Master in Plant Genomics, Genetics and Breeding and the International Master in Animal Nutrition. Both programmes will be delivered on the premises of the Organization on the Campus of Aula Dei, a location that offers students a unique platform where they can establish professional contacts and create networks. This scientific and technical complex is home to more than 700 professionals working in R+D+i in the agriculture and food sector.

The offer of master’s programmes is not limited to CIHEAM’s institute in Zaragoza. There are master’s hosted across different parts of Spain: in Andalusia (Cordoba and Seville), the Canary Islands (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria); Catalonia (Lleida and Barcelona); and the Valencian Community (Alicante and Valencia). The full catalogue of master’s programmes and coorganizing institutions is available at iamz.ciheam.org/education/master-programmes/

Courses with the FAO, the International Olive Council and other institutions of reference

CIHEAM Zaragoza’s training offer includes 8 specialization courses for professionals on cutting-edge scientific and technical topics in the agriculture and food sector. These activities are the result of alliances with national and international institutions of reference in the agriculture and food sector such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Olive Council (IOC), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) or the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology of the Spanish National Research Council (INIA-CSIC), among others.

Reduction in food loss and waste, alternative and emerging feed and forage resources, water use efficiency in olive growing in the context of climate change or fish nutrition, feeding and health in aquaculture are just some of the topics that will be addressed in these one-week training activities.

The full catalogue of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s advanced courses for professionals is available at iamz.ciheam.org/education/advanced-courses/

• The most important event in animal production research in Spain

• To be held on 13 and 14 June at CIHEAM Zaragoza (main venue) and CITA

Zaragoza, 31 March 2023
AIDA (Interprofessional Association for Agricultural Development) will hold the XX Workshop on Animal Production on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June, the most important event in animal production research in Spain, with growing participation from Latin America.

CIHEAM Zaragoza (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) situated on the Campus of Aula Dei, will be the main venue, bringing together animal production scientists, technical experts and professionals to share and discuss the latest scientific results in the sector. CITA (Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon), also situated on the Campus of Aula Dei, will host the presentations of the Reproduction section.

The AIDA workshop aims to create a multidisciplinary and dynamic forum of exchange and reflexion on the latest scientific and technical advances of interest to professionals in the sector. The workshop includes sections on product quality; livestock systems-economics and management; animal health and welfare; nutrition-feeding; reproduction and genetics. This year there will be 276 contributions through oral communications or posters. Dr Badi Besbes, Head of Genetics and Animal Production at the FAO will deliver the keynote conference.

This year, the event has a new section – devoted to livestock precision farming, and will hold a round table on the influence of climate change on livestock farming organized with UEECA.

AIDA also encourages professional excellence through the young researcher award conferred in each section of the event.

The organizing association AIDA currently has 350 members from the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, involved in professional activities at Spanish universities; the National Scientific Research Council (CSIC); the National Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA); and the agricultural research centres of the autonomous communities; as well as other institutions, such as cooperatives, foundations, associations and consultancies, etc.

Workshop collaborators include the Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), the University of Zaragoza (the AgriFood Institute of Aragon and Environmental Science Research Institute of Aragon), CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Spanish National Scientific Research Council (CSIC). The event is sponsored by Humeco, the Aragonese Association of Pig Veterinarians (A.V.P.A.), the cooperative group Pastores and the ARAPARDA breeders’ association.

All information is available on the workshop website.