Module B: Education, Training and Dissemination

The objective is to transfer knowledge from the project to users at all levels.

Module B is a horizontal activity that creates an important link between the innovative knowledge arising from the six research modules (module I-VI) and the horizontal module A.

 

A systematic exchange of information and dissemination of scientific results from the seven modules is ensured by implementing the innovative knowledge in traditional and web-based curricula for education of both university and non-academic students.

 

A web-based industry platform and practical training programs and demonstrations are conducted.

 

General awareness rising and dissemination is performed via general PR activities.

 

Module B is divided in three work packages:

• development and implementation of traditional and web-based curricula for training at all levels from industry to post-graduate level (WP B.1)
• establishment of a platform for knowledge dissemination to a multitude of SMEs in the sector (WP B.2)
• dissemination incl. general awareness rising and development of exploitation plans (WP B.3)

WPB.1

In WPB.1, an open learning platform (www.porktraining.org) has been launched. The platform includes a repository on pig and pork production, a wiki on pig and pork production and a virtual community for teachers and trainers.

 

The first learning resource was developed in collaboration with module II, launched in July 2009 and is entitled "Animal welfare-friendly pig housing systems". The second learning resource on Strategic new product development will be available from January 2010 and is developed in close collaboration with module I.

 

WPB.2

In WPB.2, a web-based industry platform (www.q-porkchains.industry.org) was launched at the beginning of the project. This platform is specifically directed towards the industry and SMEs and contains information about the project, partners and a web-log for discussion possibilities on certain key topics.

 

Several information activities towards the industry have been conducted. In 2009 the research results of the Q-PorkChains project were presented within different events. Examples are the Congreso Mundial del Jamón and the trade fair "Barcelona Food and Beverage Technologies", the EU seminar within the ICoMST in Denmark, a trip of a German delegation to Spain and a workshop regarding the APP rapid test that also took place in Spain.

 

Upcoming activities are lecture sessions in Hungary, Germany and Poland and additionally a workshop concerning the topic "pig health management" in Germany.

 

WPB.3

In WPB.3 a public homepage (www.q-porkchains.org) was implemented at the initiation of the project.

 

Among others, a list of PhD students within Q-PorkChains and a presentation of their research projects are available from the homepage. Several Q-PorkChains leaf-lets have been developed and translated to different languages. Newsletters are launched biannually disseminating the newest findings of Q-PorkChains. Several popular publications about Q-PorkChains has been conducted latest an article was launched in European Review (issue 18).

 

Q-PorkChains has been presented at the International Conference of Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST) in 2008 and a public conference was organised in connection to ICoMST 2009 with more than 100 participants.

 

An advisory and stakeholder group has been established and a meeting will be held in November 2009 to ensure feedback on obtained results, future plans and implementation from main actors in pig and pork production not participating in the project.