Partners

 Ghent University is one of the major universities in Belgium with around 50,000 students. It is ranked among the top-100 universities worldwide. The university provides students with high-quality academic teaching, excellent infrastructure and a wide scope of facilities.

Ghent University is strongly oriented towards international students. During their studies, they will enjoy the beautiful city of Ghent and the numerous social and cultural activities in the lively and creative atmosphere which is so typical of the city.

The Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center (ARC) at Ghent University has earned worldwide recognition through its ground-breaking research on larviculture and novel microbial management tools. Its research group is also the driving force behind BLUEGent, the university’s business center for Sustainable Aquaculture and Blue Life Sciences. This consortium groups over 400 top scientists that lead the way in aquaculture, blue tourism & health, coastal management, healthy oceans, marine resources & bioprospecting, multi-use of marine space, sustainable seafood. The creation of several spin-off companies and registration of several patents are proof of the high relevance of BLUEGent’s research efforts.

→ Read more about Ghent, International students in Ghent and University life at Ghent University.

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), with headquarters in Trondheim, offers a variety of programmes of professional study and great academic breadth that also includes the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational science, architecture, entrepreneurship, art disciplines and artistic activities.

Trondheim is well known as a top location for students and academics, and the city is regularly rated as the best student town in Norway!

NTNU’s Department of Biology has a strong research and teaching activity in oceans, in collaboration with industry partners, and develops technologies that support the green transition, including marine industries, renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture. Cross-disciplinary research and education in aquaculture have been priority at NTNU for more than 20 years.

NTNU’s aquaculture education has a primary focus on “environment, welfare, and health”. Its learning line on “Ecosystem & Health” addresses critical health challenges in aquatic environments, with studies of the mechanisms of disease transmission, ecological interactions of aquaculture and microbial management of aquaculture systems used, especially for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). It also explores broader ecosystem influences on fish health, such as the spread and mitigation of salmon lice – a persistent issue for the salmon industry – and emerging health threats like harmful algal blooms.

→ Read more about Trondheim Student City and Study at NTNU.

Wageningen University (WU) has a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrated in its mission to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. The Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (AFI) integrates relevant innovations in fish and shellfish nutrition and health, land-based recirculating aquaculture systems and ponds. Together with experts in fish immunology and nutrition, WU works towards a One Health approach in aquaculture production systems. Students are trained in the field of sustainable use, conservation and restoration of marine and other aquatic ecosystems and resources, by combining ecological, technological and socio-economic approaches. With access to WU’s 1900m2 aquatic research facility, students acquire the technical skills required for maintaining a healthy production environment, gain in-depth knowledge of the biology and physiology of aquatic organisms and develop management skills for aquaculture systems.

→ Read more about Student life in Wageningen.

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Universitat de Barcelona (UB) have broad experience in research and training in aquaculture and fish physiology. For the last 30 years they have focused on the area of growth and nutrition at UB and stress and immune suppression, fish pathology prevention and health management at UAB, particularly for Mediterranean and tropical fish, being a reference centre in these areas, both in basic, applied research and consultancy. Both labs have also developed training and collaboration initiatives, such as a common Masters in Aquaculture, and the BlueNetCat and ACUIPLUS, two consortia of regional and national research centres, industry and administration devoted to innovation and the development of regional and global aquaculture. UAB is also part of the Board of the European Research Center for Aquatic Animal Welfare (EURCAW-aqua). UAB is also part of EUPAW (European Partnership of Animal Welfare). UAB is also part of the Board of the European College of Aquatic Animal Health (ECAAH).

→ Read more about Student life on the UAB Campus, Study at UB.