The first week of September marked the beginning of a new chapter for the 5th cohort of the EU-CONEXUS Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology (JMPMB).
This year, 19 students from different parts of the world have joined the programme and started their first semester at Universidad Católica de Valencia (UCV). After their first year in Valencia, they will continue their studies at La Rochelle Université, making the most of the international experience that is at the heart of the programme.
Their first days were all about getting to know each other, discovering their new university and settling into life as JMPMB students. Welcome Week brought together first-year students, second-year students currently at UCV, alumni, professors and programme coordinators.
From campus tours and administrative sessions to meeting UCV’s student services, the students had the chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. They also visited the Santa Úrsula laboratories, where they will carry out part of their practical training, and received their first introduction to the courses they will be taking this semester.
But, of course, Welcome Week was not only about getting ready for the academic year. It was also about meeting the people they will share this journey with. A welcome snack and an international dinner gave everyone the opportunity to chat, share food from their home countries and start building the friendships that will become an important part of their JMPMB experience.
And there is another reason why this cohort is particularly special. The 5th cohort is the second JMPMB cohort to receive the Joint European Degree Label (JEDL) Certificate, a new European recognition for joint degree programmes. It marks an important milestone for the programme and for the students beginning this international academic journey.
For these 19 students, their JMPMB adventure has only just begun — and Valencia is their first stop.
