Ireland's Aquaculture Remote Classroom, on display this weekend at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campus in Galway.
Photo: BIM.
Ireland's seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has developed a high-tech way of attracting more young people to a career in aquaculture.
The Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) is a mobile educational facility created to enhance young people's understanding of aquaculture. It includes four online lessons, regular live webinars for schools, and a variety of educational materials, all offered to schools at no cost.
The classroom is on the road once more, and will be open to visitors this Saturday, during the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) open day for prospective students, taking place in Galway, Ireland.
Interior of Ireland's Aquaculture Remote Classroom.
Photo: BIM.
Máirtín Walsh, Processing Development Executive at BIM, sais he hoped the initiative would help to encourage more young people to pursue marine-focused careers.
“BIM are delighted to attend the open day and to continue our partnership with ATU to promote education and careers, not just in seafood production and marine science, but also in the areas of marine focused engineering and technology," Walsh said.
"The Irish aquaculture industry produces nutritious, sustainable, low carbon seafood and continues to create employment around the coast in a wide range of disciplines."
"We look forward to meeting as many young people as possible at this open day to educate them on the exciting career opportunities available in the marine sector," Walsh added.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara developed the ARC as part of a European-wide campaign to raise awareness about aquaculture, called #FarmedintheEU.
"Although this project has been carried out in 10 other EU countries, Ireland is the only one that has developed a mobile classroom. Farmed in the EU aims to highlight the benefits of aquaculture in supplying sustainable seafood for the growing population, creating employment and helping sustain coastal communities in Ireland and all over the world," BIM states on its website.
The ARC Programme is funded through the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and is co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU.
