The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in cooperation with the Consortium of ESCAPAdE project is organizing a summer school from 17 – 24 August 2021.

This summer school is designed to show that plant breeding and plant protection go side by side and that an integrated approach in plant sciences is needed to improve plant health.

It gives the possibility to all students, including students with disabilities, to exchange ideas on Applied Plant Sciences with people from different learning backgrounds and to experience the international and intercultural atmosphere associated with exchange programmes.

Programme

The originality of ESCAPAdE summer school is to combinate two highlights:

• A scientific training, focused on Host Plant Resistance Breeding as a part of Integrated Pest Management, co-organised with Euroleague for life sciences (https://www.euroleague-study.org/en/plant-resistance-breeding )
• A special Job fair, focused on applied plant Sciences, designed to help students in developing professional skills, co-sponsored by Plant Link (https://www.plantlink.se/).

·       Course content

Approaches related to plant breeding and protection including gene pyramiding, genomic selection, genetic engineering, genome editing, ecological interactions will be taken up, together with concepts of multivariate and intercropping systems in an agro-ecological perspective. The importance of readily available genetic materials in biobanks and legislation as well as public perception and acceptance of innovations will be discussed.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

•  understand the connection between resistance breeding and plant health
•  describe some methods related to resistance breeding of crop plants
•  have insight on the need of collaboration and communication between societal, academical and professional (breeding and protection companies) skills in order to reach UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The course will consist in a mix of lectures, field experiences and excursions. It will involve innovative teaching approaches to enjoy learning!

·       Special Job fair

Focused on applied plant Sciences, the job fair will include lectures on European job markets, speed dating with company representatives, round tables on life sciences in industry and European networks. A career workshop as well as information on PhDs and transferable skills will be included.

More information about the JobFair will be announced soon.

Location

SLU Campus Alnarp (55.6594841988417, 13.08057215491703), ca 10 km from Malmö, Sweden.

Note the option to replace the summer school by an online event due to the ongoing spread of Covid19

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included for non-ESCAPAdE students! We have reserved 25 rooms from 13-25 August on campus Alnarp. First come first served. Upon acceptance details on how to access these rooms will be given.

Health Insurance

Health insurance, covering illnesses and accidents, is required for participation.

Visa

All participants are responsible for arranging the correct visa, required to study legally in Sweden for the duration of the summer program

Application Method

Primarily via Swedish admission  (opens 19 February, closes 15 March).
Alternatively by contacting Erik Alexandersson when admission is closed.

Special needs

Students with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.  Specific support will be provided by ESCAPAdE. Please contact the organizer when registering to this summer school.

Contact persons for scientific questions

Erik Alexandersson
Telephone: +4640-415338
E-mail: erik.alexandersson@slu.se

Postal address:’
Växtskyddsbiologi
Box 102 23053 Alnarp