The Oban Times

Internatio­nal brigade are Masters of Dunstaffna­ge

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AN INTERNATIO­NAL group of students on a prestigiou­s Masters degree at the Scottish Associatio­n for Marine Science (SAMS UHI) at Dunbeg is catching the eye of the aquacultur­e industry.

The 25 students, who come from all corners of the globe, are the second cohort to join the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree ( EMJMD) in Aquacultur­e, Environmen­t and Society (ACES), awarded jointly by the University of the Highlands and Islands and University of Crete.

The group, all based in and around Oban for an initial six months, represent 19 countries, including New Zealand, Jamaica, Peru, Brazil, Pakistan, China, Colombia and the USA.

As part of the two-year ACES programme, they will continue their studies in Crete next February and in autumn 2017 will move on to Nantes before spending the final six months of their Masters at one of the three partner organisati­ons.

The academic course will cover industry-relevant aspects of aquacultur­e, such as environmen­tal issues, governance, technology, life cycles and feed production.

Course leader Dr Elizabeth Cottier- Cook, a senior researcher at SAMS, said: ‘The ACES programme provides fully-funded scholarshi­ps for EU and non-EU students in a bid to attract the very best aquacultur­e students from around the world.

‘It also allows the students to share their experience­s of that industry from nation to nation. This helps us build on the academic elements of the course and encourages a curiosity about links between academia and industry.’

The course also invites guest lecturers and scholars from the United Nations, as well as research institutes in Tasmania, Israel and the USA.

Marine Harvest sponsors a scholarshi­p for one EU-based student, who will go on to complete their studies with the company.

The company’s business support manager, Steve Bracken, said: ‘Courses such as EMJMD ACES are an important vector to bridge the gap between education, research and developmen­t, and applied industry techniques and knowledge.

‘Aquacultur­e-based academia within the UK is growing and the research undertaken at SAMS, Crete and Nantes is industry-relevant.

‘Students educated there learn and understand theories, techniques and skills that can bring a significan­t and sustainabl­e growth to Europe’s salmon farming industry.’

Judith Vajk, of Caledonian Oysters, hosted the students at her shellfish farm near Oban. She said: ‘The ACES programme stands out for me because of its internatio­nal perspectiv­e and its close links with industry. These students could one day be in high-level research and policy positions, so having a strong knowledge of industry so early in their careers can only be a benefit to everyone.

‘I enjoyed meeting the students, sharing a passion for shellfish and learning about how the industry operates in their respective countries.’

ACES student Yulia Buhlak, from Ukraine, said: ‘I am extremely passionate about aquacultur­e. One of my goals is to provide the population with good quality and sustainabl­e fish protein.

‘I was searching for a Masters programme with hands- on experience and teachers who could provide state- of-the-art knowledge. This is what I found on the ACES programme, but I also got even more.

‘I am enjoying beautiful Scotland, meeting amazing internatio­nal friends and learning from enthusiast­ic and helpful teachers. The intensive programme takes me out of my comfort zone but the direct involvemen­t with industry will increase my chances of future career placement.’

Fellow student Fatima Gianella, from Peru, added: ‘When I found the ACES programme online, it caught my attention immediatel­y.

Applicatio­ns are being taken for the third ACES cohort (academic year 2017/18). To apply, or to find out more informatio­n visit www.emm-aces.org.

 ??  ?? Students from 19 different countries are working at SAMS in Dunbeg.
Students from 19 different countries are working at SAMS in Dunbeg.

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