Over the past two weeks, 40 participants have participated in the newly launched course within RAS. The course for continuing and further education within RAS has been delivered by University of Bergen together with RASLab. Originally it was planned for one course, but due to high demand, an additional course was added.
The aquaculture industry is investing significantly in the development of new production technology within RAS technology. A survey of our members and partners has shown us that there is a great need for expertise within RAS and the industry has an urgent need to update the employees’ competence.
Theory and practice
The course provides a basic understanding of the interaction between the fish’s physiology, water quality, operation of the biofilter, as well as the technical structure and function of various components in a RAS system. It is focused on lectures, group work, discussions, and laboratory work at RAS facilities. The final assessment consists of the submitted project assignment and laboratory journal, with a final oral examination.
“The course has been incredibly useful with great relevance for the current situation of the industry. It has provided a useful interaction between theory and practice, with good integration of current research on the subject. The participants in the course are all connected to the industry, but with varying backgrounds, which has created great discussion. I highly recommend the course, and especially for those who are interested in the impact water quality has on fish health and fish welfare.” – Silje Sveen, Senior Quality Manager at Benchmark Genetics
High focus on RAS in the Cluster
To increase the offer of competence-enhancing measures within RAS, the cluster has initiated and run various projects within RAS: a new vocational school offer within RAS, training of teachers within RAS and continuing and further education courses within RAS.
“The cluster’s goal is to ensure that our members and partners have access to the right knowledge and expertise to achieve sustainable growth. There is a growing demand for RAS competence in the seafood industry, and a survey among our members showed that there was a need for both continuing and further education courses as well as a new vocational school within RAS.” Says Benedicte Skogen, Competence Manager at NCE Seafood Innovation.
“The cluster has several projects where the goal is to put in place competence-enhancing measures within RAS, and we are very pleased that the University of Bergen offers continuing and further education courses in RAS technology to our members. The course gives 5 credits and is a combination of classroom teaching and practical training in RASlab. The first course was fully subscribed in a short amount of time, and the University of Bergen is already running the second course to meet demand” she continues.
Digital training material within RAS
In addition to the RAS courses, we have identified a need of digital training material within RAS, and we have now completed the first 25 films of a total of 50 films together with Blue Planet Academy. The videos show the construction of RAS facilities, basic knowledge about water quality and biological aspects of RAS.
The videos will enable a portfolio of short courses and flexible module educations that can be adapted to students in education as well as cover the need for continuing and further education in RAS technology for industry, both for suppliers and breeders. The films are available at Seapoint, our online resource base for cluster members, and The Blue Planet Academy.