Since 2022, the ESIX Normandie, the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain), the Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy) and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic) collaborate on the Erasmus+ NETFOOT – Network for transdiciplinary and transregional approaches on food technologies project. The NETFOOT project is aiming at fostering the integration of new technologies in the food industry.
In June, the four European universities involved in the project have hosted the 2nd edition of the NETFOOT summer schools with an overall participation of 70 students.
The University of Caen Normandie has welcome 38 students, included 16 international participants. The program combined practical and theorical work sessions with site visits of local companies and organizations working on food industry technology. These activities were designed to help participants develop new knowledge and skills but also build their own international network for their future career path.
Summer schools: a stimulating mobility in an cross-cultural environment
For Marina Cretenet, senior lecturer at the ESIX Normandie School of Engineering and project coordinator, the summer schools are « a milestone of our agro-food training program thanks to the opportunity of sharing knowledge with our European colleagues. It’s an opportunity to study on site our cultural and professional habits related to food: what are the trends and forthcoming innovations? How do we produce typical regional products like Parmesan cheese or tigernuts? It’s also a unique human experience supported by Erasmus+. Our students come away changed, with new skills for their future careers. As a professor, the summer schools are stimulating. I always enjoy sharing my passion for local Norman products. I hope that this program format will continue over time so that more students can benefit from it. »
Nicolo Turri, student at Modene e Reggio Emilia in Italy, « couldn’t be happier with his experience.». A rich opportunity, both personal and professional: « Since my first day in Caen, I really enjoyed the Normandy region, with its unique landscapes and places to visit, and the kindness of its inhabitants. I found the University of Caen Normandy weel structured and organized, with new and well-equipped facilities and labs. The courses’ themes gave me the opportunity to improve my knowledge on specific topics related to food technology. At the same time, the visits and practical case studies have broadened my knowledge of the dairy, sweets and seafood industries. I’m sure that this experience will be a real cornerstone of my professional path and I can’t thank UNICAEN and its faculty and staff enough for this great experience!! ».
Finally, Gabriela Clemente Polo, academic coordinator for Polytechnica Valencia, points out that this particular mobility format, combining theorical and pratical work sessions with site visits, gives « students the opportunity to acquire specific and technical knowledge in their field of studies and to establish valuable international contacts for their future career.»
The summer program ended on September 25 with a wrap-up session with all the partners. This meeting was the occasion to review the three-year collaboration in order to prepare the next steps of the NETFOOT adventure.
To be continued…
