European Master in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics (EMABG): new cohort and new opportunities

After taking part in the international week at NMBU, students followed the three-week EMABG introduction course, organised by Elise Norberg. During the first week, students met representatives from breeding organisations and were introduced to members of the EMABG consortium. The third week focused on learning to work and programme in R. The second week was dedicated to project work focusing on animal biodiversity, organised jointly by NMBU and Wageningen University, building on their collaboration within the ELLS network. Henk Bovenhuis and Dieuwertje Lont contributed to the development and organisation of the week. In groups, students explored a range of dilemmas related to livestock, predators, food production and genetic conservation, among other topics. They also presented cases from their own countries that raised similar or related challenges.

With students from 15 different countries, the range of topics was remarkably diverse: from Iberian lynxes in Spain and leopards in India, to badgers and disease transmission in Ireland, conservation of indigenous chickens in Zambia, jaguars in Argentina and Costa Rica, and the balance between productivity and genetic diversity in Pakistan’s dairy sector.

During a three-day excursion to Hafjell, students were introduced to Norwegian mountain farming, including sheep and cattle production, and the challenges posed by predators such as wolves, bears, wolverines and lynxes. They also gained first-hand insights from local farmers, some of whom expressed strong opposition to wolves and other predators in areas where sheep graze. Dr Erik Versluijs (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences) made a valuable contribution to the learning by presenting perspectives on wolf ecology and conservation, beef cattle farming, and carnivore-livestock conflicts.

The project week culminated in group presentations on the final day, followed by lively and insightful discussions among students and teachers. Discussions covered food security, genetic conservation, personal and cultural values, farmers’ livelihoods, and highlighted the importance of perspective-taking, stakeholder analysis, and understanding how different stakeholders can have different levels of influence in different contexts.

Students described the course as a valuable mix of exploring Norway and its food production system, getting to know each other, and developing important skills such as intercultural communication and collaboration. Above all, it offered opportunities to learn from teachers and farmers, and from each other. 

We wish the second cohort an inspiring and successful academic year and look forward to seeing where their EMABG journey takes them!

In August 2027, a new cohort of EMABG students will start their programme. Full scholarships are available for both EU and non-EU students through the Erasmus Mundus programme. Applications are now open until 15 January 2027.

For more information, visit www.emabg.eu. Prospective students can also follow EMABG administrative coordinator Marta Darta Repule on LinkedIn for tips on preparing a strong EMABG application.