Final Report Summary - YOUNG-TRAIN (TRAINING AND MENTORING YOUNG SCIENTISTS FROM CANDIDATE, ASSOCIATED AND MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES IN A WHOLE FOOD CHAIN APPROACH TO QUALITY AND SAFETY)
The principal objective of the 'Training and mentoring young scientists from Candidate, Associated and Mediterranean Countries in a whole food chain approach to quality and safety' (YOUNG-TRAIN) project was to strengthen the total food chain approach in countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on improving the quality and safety of meat. Through a programme of training seminars and workshops, early career animal scientists (ECSs) recruited from the target countries were able to acquire knowledge to enable them better to participate in the European Research Area (ERA). Collaborative research proposals on a whole food chain approach to meat safety and quality for the future framework programme were to be derived and exploited through improved dissemination and exploitation of research results.
Forty ECSs were recruited into the project from the target countries. In total, 18 female and 22 male scientists, from 22 different countries were selected. 13 from the newly entered countries, 7 from the Mediterranean rim, 7 from Central & Southern Europe and 13 from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The outputs of the project can be found on http://www.young-train.net(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and this website will be maintained by EAAP for the foreseeable future to allow the ECS to continue to interact and to support the network created by the project. The first objective of the project was to train and develop the ECS and to ensure that they were better equipped to take part in future RTD and eLearning activities in a whole food chain approach to meat quality and safety. A project seminar was organised in Viterbo, Italy, in November 2005 to provide the ECS with skills in communication and presentation and a sound background in eLearning methodology. Feedback from the seminar indicated high levels of satisfaction but also good indications for the organisation of future meetings.
A second project seminar in Girona, Spain in May 2006 provided the ECS with an introduction to EU research programmes, mechanisms and channels of dissemination. Presentations were made on the role of technology platforms on food for life and animal breeding as well as the thematic programmes in sustainable animal production and health and in food quality and safety. The role and function of the EU National Contact Points (NCPs) in food quality and safety were outlined together with examples of work undertaken by NCPs in support of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). Presentations were also made on how to construct successful bids into the programme and these were updated once the procedures for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) were announced. Successful proposals needed not only to have high science quality but also supported by an efficient management structure with a sound plan for dissemination of the outputs to have a widespread impact.
The second aim of the project was to produce eLearning training and awareness materials to be subsequently used for wider dissemination of the whole food chain approach to meat quality and safety. In addition all the presentations from all the events organised by the project (seminars, workshops, dissemination) have been converted into eLearning material, suitable for web delivery with range of delivery formats offered to meet the needs of users (pdf, html, audio and video, CD). In addition, a series of menus in a generic format (e.g. meat safety, consumer studies etc.) have been derived to provide easy access to these materials. Responses to questionnaires at the regional dissemination events have been positive with all delegates finding the materials, particularly the audio visual presentations very useful or useful for themselves, colleagues and students.
The third objective was to develop joint RTD proposals on meat quality and safety that are relevant to the problems of Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Seminars, workshops and round table discussions were held to provide the ECS with the state of the art. Topics included factors influencing meat quality and safety and importantly the ethical, environmental and consumer needs drivers that influence the meat chain. A wide range of organisations were involved such as FAO and also other FP6 projects with linked aims (e.g. Truefoods). These discussions provided the basis for the development of research and dissemination themes that could be presented for discussion and comment at future dissemination events across the target countries.
The fourth objective was to disseminate the outputs. This was achieved through four regional events in Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean and by creating and sustaining a project and eLearning website. The regional events were held in Cairo (March 2007); Budapest, Hungary (July 2007); Astana, Kazakhstan (January 2008) and Kaunas, Lithuania (April, 2008).
The project website http://www.young-train.net(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) has been extensively modified to include all the eLearning materials derived from the events organised by the project. These have been reorganised into subject areas for easy reference and are available in a variety of formats from pdf to audio video to interactive courses on meat quality and the eLearning technology. During the year there were over 3,000 visits per month to the website with an average of 1,408 files downloaded per month.
A final survey of the ECS showed high levels of satisfaction with the project with the project having met its aims in terms of eLearning (87 %), training and development (100 %) research project development (87 %) and dissemination (90 %).
Forty ECSs were recruited into the project from the target countries. In total, 18 female and 22 male scientists, from 22 different countries were selected. 13 from the newly entered countries, 7 from the Mediterranean rim, 7 from Central & Southern Europe and 13 from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The outputs of the project can be found on http://www.young-train.net(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and this website will be maintained by EAAP for the foreseeable future to allow the ECS to continue to interact and to support the network created by the project. The first objective of the project was to train and develop the ECS and to ensure that they were better equipped to take part in future RTD and eLearning activities in a whole food chain approach to meat quality and safety. A project seminar was organised in Viterbo, Italy, in November 2005 to provide the ECS with skills in communication and presentation and a sound background in eLearning methodology. Feedback from the seminar indicated high levels of satisfaction but also good indications for the organisation of future meetings.
A second project seminar in Girona, Spain in May 2006 provided the ECS with an introduction to EU research programmes, mechanisms and channels of dissemination. Presentations were made on the role of technology platforms on food for life and animal breeding as well as the thematic programmes in sustainable animal production and health and in food quality and safety. The role and function of the EU National Contact Points (NCPs) in food quality and safety were outlined together with examples of work undertaken by NCPs in support of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). Presentations were also made on how to construct successful bids into the programme and these were updated once the procedures for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) were announced. Successful proposals needed not only to have high science quality but also supported by an efficient management structure with a sound plan for dissemination of the outputs to have a widespread impact.
The second aim of the project was to produce eLearning training and awareness materials to be subsequently used for wider dissemination of the whole food chain approach to meat quality and safety. In addition all the presentations from all the events organised by the project (seminars, workshops, dissemination) have been converted into eLearning material, suitable for web delivery with range of delivery formats offered to meet the needs of users (pdf, html, audio and video, CD). In addition, a series of menus in a generic format (e.g. meat safety, consumer studies etc.) have been derived to provide easy access to these materials. Responses to questionnaires at the regional dissemination events have been positive with all delegates finding the materials, particularly the audio visual presentations very useful or useful for themselves, colleagues and students.
The third objective was to develop joint RTD proposals on meat quality and safety that are relevant to the problems of Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Seminars, workshops and round table discussions were held to provide the ECS with the state of the art. Topics included factors influencing meat quality and safety and importantly the ethical, environmental and consumer needs drivers that influence the meat chain. A wide range of organisations were involved such as FAO and also other FP6 projects with linked aims (e.g. Truefoods). These discussions provided the basis for the development of research and dissemination themes that could be presented for discussion and comment at future dissemination events across the target countries.
The fourth objective was to disseminate the outputs. This was achieved through four regional events in Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean and by creating and sustaining a project and eLearning website. The regional events were held in Cairo (March 2007); Budapest, Hungary (July 2007); Astana, Kazakhstan (January 2008) and Kaunas, Lithuania (April, 2008).
The project website http://www.young-train.net(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) has been extensively modified to include all the eLearning materials derived from the events organised by the project. These have been reorganised into subject areas for easy reference and are available in a variety of formats from pdf to audio video to interactive courses on meat quality and the eLearning technology. During the year there were over 3,000 visits per month to the website with an average of 1,408 files downloaded per month.
A final survey of the ECS showed high levels of satisfaction with the project with the project having met its aims in terms of eLearning (87 %), training and development (100 %) research project development (87 %) and dissemination (90 %).
