Program Overview

Introduction to the Blended Intensive Program

The Erasmus+ Program, Action KA1 Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), funds intensive courses developed by consortia of Higher Education Institutions. These programs are organized into short periods of in-person activities combined with online learning and collaboration activities.

Program Overview

The Master's Degree Program in Animal Sciences and Technologies at the University of Padua offers the BIP "PRECISION TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND WELFARE-FRIENDLY ANIMAL FARMING." The objective of this program is to train students capable of identifying priorities for sustainable development of animal farming systems in Europe, identifying the most suitable precision farming tools for managing animal welfare and production sustainability, and recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of implementing precision farming tools in intensive and extensive systems.

Program Details

• Coordinator: University of Padua - Prof. Angela Trocino (Coordinator), Prof. Enrico Sturaro, Prof. Andrea Pezzuolo
• Partners:
  • VetAgro Sup, France (Dr. Paul Villate)
  • Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain (Prof. Salvador Calvet)
  • KU-Leuven University, Belgium (Prof. Tomas Norton)
• Participants: Erasmus students and University of Padua students (elective activity)
• Selection Criteria: Students will be selected based on a motivational letter and interview
• Maximum Number of Students: 20 Erasmus students and 15 University of Padua students
• Duration:
  • Week 1 (13-17/05/2024)
  • Week 2 (20-24/05/2024)
  • Week 3 (27-31/05/2024)

Activities and Methodologies

• Online Activities:
  • First week (13-17/05/2024, 1 ECTS credit)
  • Second week (20-24/05/2024, 1 ECTS credit)
  • Two to three meetings per week with all participants (1-2 hours per meeting)
  • One to two small group meetings (4-5 students) supervised by dedicated teachers and tutors
  • Individual asynchronous activities on materials (e.g., videos, texts, feedback) available on the Moodle page of the training activity
• In-person Activities:
  • Third week (27-31/05/2024, 6 ECTS credits)
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Practical activities
  • Technical visits to the "Lucio Toniolo" Experimental Farm of the University of Padua and commercial farms
  • Project development activities in small groups of students

Educational Delivery

The educational activities will be delivered by experts from the four partner institutions, as well as external experts. Students will be supported by dedicated tutors, in addition to the faculty, and the activities will follow the principles of virtual exchange and active learning.

Selection Process

• For Erasmus Students:
  • Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. students eligible for a short-term Erasmus grant at their home institution
  • Selection of candidates based on CV and motivational letter
  • Nomination required by the University of Padua by 15/02/2024
• For University of Padua Students:
  • Open selection until 15/01/2024 with the completion of the form
  • CV and motivational letter required
  • Results by 30/01/2024

Involved Faculty

• University of Padua: Profs. Angela Trocino, Enrico Sturaro, Andrea Pezzuolo, Giulio Cozzi, Francesco Marinello, Flaviana Gottardo
• VetAgro Sup: Profs. Paul Villate, Audrey Michaud, Adeline Vedrine, Nathalie Hostiou
• Universitat Politecnica de Valencia: Profs. Maria Cambra López, Salvador Calvet Sanz, Fernando Estellés
• KU-Leuven University: Prof. Tomas Norton, Dr. Andrea Parmigiani, Dr. Özge Günaydn