Institut's website : www.iamz.ciheam.org

Director
Luis ESTERUELAS
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Since 2005, with the steady implementation of the Bologna process, Masters-level studies have been introduced in all Spanish universities. In 2006 the Spanish authorities officially recognised the equivalence of the CIHEAM Master of Science degree awarded by MAI Zaragoza.

Within its own major areas of specialisation, MAI Zaragoza focuses its research effort on subjects relevant to the Mediterranean Region as a whole:

▪ Plant production: Conservation and use of plants suited to the arid environments found in the Mediterranean Region: nuts, apricots and other fruit products, cereals and vegetables.
▪ Animal production: Sheep and goat production, Mediterranean forage.
▪ Aquaculture and fisheries: Technical and socio-economic aspects.
▪ Environment: Drought management, water management, reaffore station and desertification, climate change and its impact on agriculture and the environment, fisheries management.

MAI Zaragoza and the Spanish universities Cooperation between MAI Zaragoza and the Spanish universities has intensified. The number of jointly organised Masters degrees has risen from three to seven, and an eighth is organised by MAI Zaragoza alone. These joint Masters are part of the official Spanish university programmes. Four of the Masters are organised at MAI Zaragoza in alternate years (animal nutrition, agro-food marketing, genetic improvement of plants, integrated planning for rural development and environmental management) and the other four are organised off the premises (olive growing and oil technology, animal breeding and reproduction biotechnology, aquaculture, fisheries economics and management)

Students taking Master of Science degrees

During the second part of the programme, the student produces a thesis under the supervision of staff at reputed universities and research centres. 28% of Master’s graduates go on to pursue doctoral studies at Spanish universities. These students specialise in the following fields:

▪ animal production,
▪ agrofood marketing,
▪ rural planning and development,
▪ plant breeding, olive growing and oil technology, aquaculture and fisheries.

Students are from twenty different countries. Many of those who are not from CIHEAM member countries are from Latin America.

Research and cooperation The main focus of the research operation is the networked activity involving teams from Mediterranean countries. The general objectives are: ▪ to conduct joint studies relevant to agriculture and the environment in the Mediterranean Region; ▪ to combine efforts in the field of applied research; ▪ to pool results obtained using harmonised methodologies and techniques.

Networked research

Research is conducted through networks, working groups, and research projects.The networks are made up of well-structured groups of researchers whose work is wide ranging. The working groups are smaller in number and target more specific objectives. Research projects are organised for set periods (three to four years), the duration being determined by the level of funding (usually from an outside source).

More than 80 institutions and over 400 experts (mainly from Mediterranean countries) regularly participate in this research work. Many projects are carried out in collaboration with major international institutions: European Commission, FAO, ICARDA, World Bank, etc.

The link between the networked research and the training courses offered by MAI Zaragoza is one of the main factors contributing to the excellence of the Institute’s courses and scientific work.

Student initiatives Graduates with common experiences and ideals have set up alumni associations in their different home countries. These associations have two goals: to publicise CIHEAM’s Activities among the younger students; to help maintain and improve the scientific and technical knowledge of their members by organising regular Scientific events.

Students taking specialised courses

During the period 2005-2007, MAI Zaragoza was host to 816 students. The following courses drew upon the Institute’s special areas of expertise:

▪ Animal production (six short-duration courses): Dairy ewes, goats, poultry production in hot climates, traceability and quality of meat products, animal welfare.

▪ Agrofood marketing (five short-duration courses): Market research, quality assurance, traceability, labelling, marketing of olive oil and of organic products.

▪ Plant production (five short-duration courses): Analysis of pluriannual multisite tests, sustainable irrigated agriculture, extensive horticulture and the environment, characterisation of spatial variability, functional foods.

▪ Environment (eight short-duration courses): Forest restoration and desertification, forest health, carbon and greenhouse gases in agricultural and forest ecosystems, integrated water resources planning, drought management, indicators and sustainable management, decision support systems, economics of natural resources.

▪ Aquaculture and fisheries (eight short-duration): Courses: Fishing gear and sustainable management, management of artificial reefs, aquaculture and environment, future strategies in aquaculture, marine algae culture, fish reproduction, fish traceability, quality and safety.

Six of these courses are held ex-situ (five in Spain and one in Syria) in collaboration with partner institutions, notably the Ministry of Agriculture and Water of the Region of Murcia, the Basque Research and Development Institute, the Institute of Aquaculture, the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Castellon, and ICARDA. The international institutions that have collaborated in these courses are the EC, the FAO, ICARDA, the OECD, the IOC and the Generation Challenge Programme.