AQUA-TNET Aqua-TNET logo

Aquaculture Network within the SOCRATES Thematic Network AFA-NET (Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and the Environment)

 

History

The European Commission (DGXXII) have provided support for 40 Thematic Network Projects (TNPs) to assess higher level education in Europe. These TNPs cover a range of topics such as Biotechnology, Dentistry, Biology, Engineering, Philosophy, Telematics etc. The TNPs aim to build a platform for co-operation and exchange of experiences, to outline options for the future development of the European higher education system, and to provide the Commission with policy recommendations.

AFANET logoAFANet comprises two sub-networks, the DEMETER network (agriculture, forestry, the environment, language policy and international relations officers) and AQUA-TNET (aquaculture). AquaTT Ltd has been co-ordinating AQUA-TNET activities since September 1996.

In its first 3 years AQUA-TNET established a higher education forum to assess, compare and analyse the state of the aquaculture tertiary education sector in Europe, and to identify key curriculum development and assessment objectives leading to the dissemination of best practice and a more open, transparent and innovative system of education provision.

The AQUA-TNET network partnership comprises the leading European academic institutions offering aquaculture courses and has representatives from 17 EU/EEA (European Economic Area) countries.

Expected Impacts

Successful implementation of the planned activities will result in the following impacts:

  • Overall improvement of curriculum content and better cohesion of delivery of aquaculture higher and vocational education across Europe
  • Dissemination of best practice in teaching methods and course delivery methods such as ODL and CBL techniques, including Internet applications
  • Increased co-operation between the principal aquaculture education providers, research centres and industry leaders across Europe, resulting in further project synergies
  • Increased skill levels in the aquaculture sector across Europe leading to increased competitiveness in industry internationally, resulting in job creation, wealth creation and sustainable regional development
  • Increased quality mobility within the industry
  • Establishment of a pan-European framework for the mutual recognition of aquaculture qualifications
  • Wide-ranging integration of European ideals into aquaculture education. Incorporation of the most up-to-date industrial practices and research findings into aquaculture higher education curricula
  • Generally increased awareness of the lifelong learning culture in the aquaculture sector and improved motivation to learn