The Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) organised a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Mediterranean aquaculture production and technology”. It took place within the framework of the European Educational Programme Erasmus+ KA131 2021-2027. The programme was coordinated by AUA under the supervision of Professor Eleni Miliou, Vice-Rector for European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs, and Assistant Professors Emmanouil Malandrakis and Arkadios Dimitroglou from the Department of Animal Science. Two additional higher education institutions from two different countries of the EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance Network for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability also participated. The programme was a result of collaboration between the Agricultural University of Athens, the University of Zadar in Croatia, and the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest in Romania.
This short-term intensive programme utilised innovative learning and teaching methods, including online collaboration. It was implemented with the participation of 18 undergraduate students from two foreign countries and carried out in two parts: a mandatory virtual (on-line) activity and a physical mobility component. The virtual activity took place during the first week of the programme, 5-9 of May, 2025: students attended lectures on aquaculture in fish cages, fish pathology, microalgae production, and socioeconomics. For the physical mobility activities, the participating students travelled to Athens on 19-23 May, 2025. There, they visited the facilities of the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology at the Department of Animal Science AUA for hands-on training in the use of Artemia in aquaculture. As part of this visit, the students saw a fish hatchery, a fish farm, a fish packaging and processing plant, and the fish feed production plant of AVRAMAR S.A., where they observed all stages of the production process. They were also given the opportunity to tour the company’s facilities under the guidance of experienced personnel, who also provided a comprehensive briefing on the plant’s operations.
This visit highlights AUA’s sustained commitment to enhancing its collaborative relationships with key productive entities across diverse sectors. After the programme concluded, the students also took a guided tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The programme’s execution was supported by the AUA European Programmes Office. The intention behind this collaborative experience was to demonstrate how mutual extroversion stimulates mobility within the Erasmus programme. It also aimed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding and the necessary proficiencies in the domain of aquaculture.
