Students can now apply to enrol in a new BEng programme—
Fisheries Technology—starting in September.
DTU will train fisheries engineers who know their way around the entire value chain—from biological production of living marine resources and fishing to processing and management of fish and shellfish. The key word is sustainability and the programme includes both theoretical components and internship. You do not have to be born with a fishing rod in your hand, but you have to be interested in field work.
“The students will get to grips with fish and all that entails,” promises Nina Qvistgaard, Senior Executive Educations Officer and acting head of studies for the programme.
Since 2017, DTU has worked on developing the new programme in cooperation with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and the University of Greenland, with support from the Government of Greenland and in close dialogue with the Greenlandic fishing industry. The regulatory framework is expected to be in place in May, but students can apply to enrol in the programme starting in September 2019.
"You do not have to be born with a fishing rod in your hand, but you have to be interested in field work. "
Nina Qvistgaard, DTU Aqua
Global and unique programme
The Fisheries Technology programme is closely linked to Greenland, where fishing and fish and shellfish processing are core industries. For this reason, the students will spend the first three semesters at ARTEK-Campus Sisimiut in Greenland. Students are provided with student accommodation—just as travel expenses are covered between Greenland and Denmark where the fourth and fifth semester take place.
The programme does not focus solely on fishing in the Arctic regions. With its broad focus on developing and ensuring a sustainable fishing industry—socially, economically, and environmentally—it is equally relevant in the rest of the world. And on the last three semesters that include internship, elective courses, and a final project, students can avail themselves of exchange programmes wherever fisheries play a role.
The programme is the only one of its kind, so the course organizers fully expect the students to find jobs around the world following graduation. The programme, which is offered in Danish, is primarily aimed at students from Denmark and Greenland—but all students from the Nordic countries are welcome.
Fisheries Technology provides a basic knowledge of marine biology and oceanography and has three tracks:
- Fishing technology—which among other things is all about what equipment you need to catch the size of fish you are interested in without bycatches.
- Fisheries management—where among other things students learn about the principles of sustainable management of marine resources.
- Processing of fish and shellfish—including, in particular, further development of methods and products.
Throughout the programme, there will be a holistic focus on sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.