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AQUA-TNET NEWSLETTER

January 2011


This is a free e-mail news service provided by Aqua-tnet for the Aqua-tnet network and its partners. Aqua-tnet is the European Thematic Network in the field of aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic resource management, funded under the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme, from 2008 - 2011.

In the Aqua-tnet Newsletter you will find an update of Aquat-net and its activities, as well as information from the European Commission related to European education matters.

Please forward this newsletter to your colleagues and students. Please submit any relevant information for dissemination in the newsletter to aquatnet@aquatt.ie.

Contents

1. AQUA-TNET News

2. Research & Education

3. Other

5. Bibmail

6. Information of Interest

7. AquaTT Training News and Announcements

8. PiscesTT Jobs

1. AQUA-TNET News


NEW phase for the Aqua-tnet network

As you know, currently Aqua-tnet is in the last year of the current phase of the network (2008-11). We now have an excellent opportunity to build upon the previous work through a new application and continue this long running network (1996-2011). The new programme (20011-14) will allow us to continue the important work of helping the sectors we cover contribute to the creation of a European Higher Education Area. The renewal will allow us to review priorities and activities and make any necessary improvements to help meet the needs of all stakeholders. Lastly it is also an opportunity to find new partners so if you know of other institutions or stakeholders who may be interested in joining the network, please forward this mail to them. Information on the current network can be found @ www.aquatnet.com 

Future funding
Aqua-tnet intends to apply under the upcoming Lifelong Learning Programme call for a continuation of funding (deadline for applications 28/02/2011). The call indicates that the European Commission would look favourably upon existing networks that could justify continuation of their activities or new relevant activities. This is a competitive call so we must try and submit a very strong proposal.

Design of New Network
The coordinator for the new application will be the University of Stirling (UK) with support from AquaTT as secretariat. Stirling and AquaTT will write and submit the application, with input from partners as required.

Key elements of the new proposal will be stronger emphasis on lifelong learning and how educators work with all other stakeholders (industry, research & policy organisation, learners of all ages) in a way that leads to a more innovative and highly skilled sector that is internationally competitive and an attractive career option for young people. We are particularly keen therefore to involve companies and industry associations, research institutes and further education colleges and training companies as well as Universities.

The structure of the new network will be altered slightly to encourage greater direct participation by different stakeholder groups in the development of cooperative and collaborative initiatives. These initiatives will have clear objectives that encourage and facilitate partners working together to introduce new courses or enhancements to existing provisions that help to raise both the volume and quality of learning in our sector. We also anticipate forward looking working groups that will tackle identified issues and barriers and how they may be overcome.

Similar to the current project, all partners will meet once per year at an event that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas between different stakeholders, working groups and initiatives. Network partners are welcome to participate only in this annual forum, however we hope that partners will also wish to engage more fully through participation in working groups and concrete collaborative initiatives.

Further information on network design and specific workpackages will be distributed to positive respondents to this message.

Requirements to become a partner in the new network:

All partners must re-register for the new network. You must be a (full) partner to be eligible for funding.

1.    In case you haven’t done so already, we would like you to send us as soon as possible, a confirmation if your institution is interested in continuing to be a partner in the network. Otherwise we will assume you are withdrawing your organisation from the network. Please confirm by simply replying to marieke@aquatt.ie:

a.    YES, we would like to be a partner in the new Aqua-tnet
b.    NO, we would not like to be a partner anymore.
2.    In case you would like to be a partner in the new Aqua-tnet, please complete the attached “Partner information Aqua-tnet3 Form.doc” as soon as possible
3.    We will contact you with more information and requests for further details shortly.

We appreciate early submissions as it will take a lot of time to compile >100 responses.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at marieke@aquatt.ie if you need any clarifications.

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2. Research & Education

ECVET: more than just a technical tool

ECVET, the European credit system for vocational education and training, is closely related to the need for increased permeability in education and training, wider recognition of prior learning, and the ‘Europeanisation’ of learning pathways. A working paper takes a closer look at how this system is developing. To download the publication please visit http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/news/17475.aspx

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Changing qualifications: A review of qualifications policies and practices

This review examines how the role and functions of qualifications are changing in Europe. Covering a wide range of sources - including a review of research in several social science fields and case studies of countries and an overview of Cedefop’s own work - it outlines four possible scenarios for developments in the next ten years and identifies the cornerstones for a reform strategy. To download the publication please visit http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/news/17476.aspx

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The Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training for the period 2011-2020

The Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training for the period 2011-2020 has been adopted by the Education Ministers from 33 European countries (EU-27, Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey). The Bruges Communiqué is a package of objectives and actions to increase the quality of vocational training in Europe by making it more accessible and relevant to the needs of the labour market. Click here for the press release.

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VET-Alert - Just published on Vocational Education and Training - January 2011 issue

Cedefop's "VETAlert" for January 2011 is now available for download at http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/newsletter/vetalert-newsletter.aspx

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Priorities for enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training for the period 2011-2020 - Council Conclusions

The Council of the European Union, which met on 18 and 19 November 2010, has agreed that cooperation under the Copenhagen process should be given fresh impetus. As the Copenhagen process is an integral part of the "ET2020" strategic framework, objectives in the VET field should remain consistent with the overall objectives laid down in that framework. Furthermore, when reviewing the Copenhagen process, account should be taken of both the experience to date and new challenges, as well as of the evolving political context over the coming decade 2011-2020, particularly in the light of the Europe 2020 Strategy. To read the report please visit http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/educ/117849.pdf.

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European Association for the Education of Adults

EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults) is a European NGO with 127 member organisations from 43 countries working in the field of adult learning and representing more than 60 million women and men learners Europe-wide. For their latest news please visit http://www.eaea.org/news.php.

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Study visits: New catalogue and call for applications

Would you like to explore education and training issues with your peers in other European countries? Are you interested in expanding your professional network? Do you wish to learn more about education and training policy and practice across Europe? Then perhaps it’s time to participate in the EU’s Study Visits Programme. All relevant information, including application forms and the catalogue detailing the study visits, is available at http://studyvisits.cedefop.europa.eu.

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ECVET Magazine No 3 - January 2011

The latest issue of the ECVET Magazine is available to download.

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Quality Assurance in Lifelong Learning with a Focus on Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education - Newsletter No 2

The QALLL team facilitates networking and mainstreaming of results and outcomes of projects that deal with quality assurance. To view their latest newsletter please click here.

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3. Other


AQUAMED project sets first steps towards Mediterranean aquaculture stakeholder platform during Casablanca meeting (January 2011)

AQUAMED is an EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project which aims to develop a multi-stakeholder platform for aquaculture research in the Mediterranean region, supporting the sustainable development of aquaculture in the region. It is hoped the platform will aid in avoiding duplication and fragmentation of research efforts, and stimulate long-term cooperation and coordination across policy makers, the aquaculture industry and RTD performers in the Mediterranean.

Another outcome of the project, discussed at this meeting, will be a typology of the Mediterranean countries participating in the project, an outcome which identifies the similarities between countries in the aquaculture sector, their specificities and related research needs. This will help to define intermediate platforms including the countries with common issues, in order to develop shared research programmes, projects and infrastructure. To read the full article please click here. For more information on AQUAMED visit the project website at http://www.aquamedproject.net

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Aqua-RET 2 2nd partner meeting, 24-25 January 2011, Brussels, Belgium

The Aqua-RET 2 project is focused on marine renewable technologies and one of the main outcomes will be the piloting of training courses developed to be workplace relevant and focused on target groups. The consortium held their 2nd partner meeting in Brussels to discuss the results of a needs analysis of the sector and to begin designing training courses to meet the identified labour market needs. The consortium aims to start piloting the courses from May 2011 onwards.

To download and use the Aqua-RET resources for free (e-learning tool, manual, posters, graphics and illustrations) please visit www.aquaret.com. For further information on the project contact Olivia Daly (Project Officer) at olivia@aquatt.ie

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MarineTT Advisory Board provides insight on maximising the impact of European Marine Results

The innovative MarineTT project, aiming to unlock the potential of European marine research, got feedback from its Advisory Board on the methodologies used and its future plans. The MarineTT Advisory Board consists of high profile individuals from the Marine Sector across Europe with representatives from France, Norway, Portugal and Ireland. Now finishing its first year, MarineTT collected knowledge outputs from all marine-related FP6 and FP7 funded projects and is now analysing high potential outputs suitable for technology transfer. The ambition of MarineTT is to make a real contribution to improved access to European Union research results for industry, multipliers, the civil society, and policy-makers. It will lead to increased visibility and uptake of research results, data and analysis in the economy and in society, including in policy design and implementation.

For more information on the MarineTT project please contact the Project Officer at Fiona@aquatt.ie or go to www.marinett.eu

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Call for proposals for Actions for Transatlantic Links and Academic Networks in Training and Integrated Studies

The general objectives of this call are to promote mutual understanding between the people of the European Union and the United States of America including broader knowledge of their languages, cultures and institutions and to improve the quality of human resource development in both the EU and the US. There are three types of actions under this call: Transatlantic Degree Consortia Projects, Excellence in Mobility Projects, and Policy-oriented Measures. For more information please visit http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=tenders.document&TEN_RCN=32928

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Call for proposals for academic mobility in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific

The general objectives of this call are to promote sustainable development and poverty alleviation by increasing the availability of trained and qualified high-level professional manpower in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. For more information please visit http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=tenders.document&TEN_RCN=32934

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Report: Aquaculture productivity could be raised

Aquaculture will play a major role in feeding the world’s population sustainably and equitably over the next 40 years when it’s expected to top 9 billion, according to a new report out of the United Kingdom. Conducted by Foresight, part of the UK’s Government Office for Science, “The Future of Food and Farming” looks at the challenges policymakers and others face in growing the global food system, as the global population increases from 7 billion today to 8 billion by 2030 and more than 9 billion by 2050. To read the full article online please visit http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight/our-work/projects/current-projects/global-food-and-farming-futures/reports-and-publications

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4. AQUA-TNET Calendar

Please check the Aqua-tnet calendar for a complete overview of upcoming events, conferences and workshops

 

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5. Bibmail

BibMail is a biweekly updated overview of the content tables of the major aquaculture-relevant scientific journals.

CLICK HERE for the latest Bibmail (January 2011)

To go to the BibMail archive on the Aqua-tnet site please CLICK HERE

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6. Information Interest

Information of Interest is a biweekly updated overview of interesting publications, reports, and manuals relating to aquaculture in a broad sense, with links to the respective files or information points.

CLICK HERE for the latest Information of Interest (January 2011)

To go to the Information of Interest website link on the Aqua-tnet site please CLICK HERE

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7. AquaTT Training News and Announcements

 

AquaTT's Training News is a free monthly electronic newsletter. With the latest news from the European education community, opportunities for collaboration, announcements and a student corner, Training News is an important dissemination channel for education and training opportunities for the aquaculture and fisheries sectors.

CLICK HERE for the latest AquaTT Training News and Announcements (January 2011)

Please email news@aquatt.ie to submit your news which will reach over 5,600 subscribers interested in aquaculture and related sectors of education.

8. PiscesTT Jobs


PiscesTT Jobs is a free online recruitment service used by over 300 companies globally. The innovative system, updated daily, lists jobs, PhD vacancies and student placements in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Marine Science worldwide. Subscribe at http://www.piscesttjobs.com/feeds/ for live RSS updates of new job postings. This service facilitates human resource development in the industry.

At the moment 5 interesting jobs/study opportunities are listed at http://www.piscesttjobs.com/

    If you are interested in posting a job vacancy or registering for the service, please go to the PiscesTT Jobs website or contact Olivia Daly at olivia@aquatt.ie

    About AQUA-TNET

    This update is published by the Aqua-tnet Secretariat. Please forward this mail to any colleagues that may be interested. For further information e-mail aquatnet@aquatt.ie All old Aqua-tnet Newsletters and other Aqua-tnet information is archived on the Aqua-tnet website (www.aquatnet.com).

    Aqua-tnet welcomes any feedback regarding content, presentation and user-friendliness of the newsletter. If you would like to post a notice, news item or event details on the next issue of the Aqua-tnet Newsletter or on the Aquat-net website, please send details to Marieke Reuver at marieke@aquatt.ie  or aquatnet@aquatt.ie. 

    DISCLAIMER: AQUA-TNET provides this newsletter as a free service to its partners. Most of the information is provided by AQUA-TNET. Where it is not, the source of the news is provided in the text of the news brief or else AQUA-TNET attributes the news to the coordinating body as the "Data Source Provider". In no way does this newsletter intend to wrongly or inappropriately claim projects, news, etc. as its own nor is it responsible for incorrect information provided from other sources. The AQUA-TNET Newsletter is a dissemination tool and forum for both AQUA-TNET and its partners.

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