International Training Programme
on Health Management in Aquaculture
Background
As the aquaculture sector evolves from an artisanal venture to a highly specialised bio-industry, diseases and health management are becoming a major concern.
The general lack of basic knowledge on disease prevention and health management has driven farmers to the injudicious use of antibiotics. These practices are a threat to public health and moreover further compromise sustainable production due to microbial resistance issues.
Although research is steadily making progress in understanding aquatic health issues and proper remedies are gradually being developed, a vast majority of farmers and specialists, especially in developing countries, still has no awareness of or access to this knowledge.
Rationale
The joint research efforts of Ghent Universities’ Aquaculture R & D consortium has led to ground-breaking developments in the fields of diseases in aquaculture, microbial community management, virology and immunology that may contribute to increasing the sustainability of disease control strategies applied in aquaculture.
To respond to the lack of awareness on sustainable strategies to handle aquatic health issues, not only at the industrial level but also at the academic level, this consortium now organises a short specialised training programme on Health Management in Aquaculture.
This programme aims at *disseminating the state-of-the-art and increasing awareness* on the latest developments in sustainable aquatic health management.
Targeted participants (20 max)
Aquaculture farm managers, veterinaries and biologists active in business, research, higher education, policy making, outreach & dissemination.
Learning outcomes
The ITP on Aquatic health management will contribute to local research and education needs by:
Training local experts in new concepts in disease prevention and curative techniques Give hands-on training based on real local issues delivered by the participants
Provide tools for dissemination of newly acquired knowledge and skills Welcome newly formed disseminators in a growing network of peers.
Admission requirements
Selection criteria include Academic proficiency (MSc level) or equivalent by experience (Agricultural engineer, Biology, Veterinary medicine or analogues)
Language proficiency (e.g. IELTS 6.5 or similar) (except for ex Ugent master students)
Active in health management in aquaculture is recommended Envisaged multiplicator effect (does the candidates’ position guarantee effective dissemination of the acquired expertise)
Academic selection will be entrusted to the ITP Board which consists of the main lecturers involved in the programme.
Programme
The training programme consists of lectures, case studies, peer-to-peer teaching on the one hand and on the other hand practical wet lab experience
on biofloc operation and study visits. The lectures, which will include
microteaching sessions, will make up the majority of the program.
For a period of 10 weeks, the 4 courses (Diseases in Aquaculture, Virology, Microbial Community Management, Immunology) will be taught.
Lectures are given by UGent experts (Prof. Peter Bossier, Prof Hans Nauwynck, Prof Annemie Decostere, Prof Daisy Vanrompay, Dr Peter De Schryver) and guest lectures by international authorities (Prof. Yoram Avnimelech, Prof. Jorge Galindo-Villegas; Prof. Olav Vadstein).
Training programme details
Tuition fees
South country participants (according to the current VLIR country list 3000EUR
Other country participants 5000EUR
VLIR scholarship holders: waived
*Scholarships*
Scholarships are available from VLIR-UOS
*Duration*
19 September 2016 – 12 December 2016
*Location*
Laboratory for Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center
Coupure Links, 653
9000 Gent
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