On Monday, the programs of International Expert in Irrigation and Nutrition in Blueberries, and the International Diploma in Conventional Production and Soilless Cultivation, both with a university degree, began.

The professionals, whose application documentation was approved, will be able to access the first module: “Blueberry Physiology. Botany, crop requirements, annual cycle, management effects”, in addition to an introduction to the virtual modality of the programs.

The academic training sessions were promoted by Blueberries Consulting, a company specializing in the dissemination of technical and commercial information on the blueberry industry, together with the support of the University of Almería, a renowned Spanish institution noted for having thirteen of the most influential researchers in the world according to Stanford University ranking.

Working together, both institutions were able to create a content network designed for the different nationalities and agricultural realities of their students. In addition, to complement the contextual diversity that the future graduate of the programs may face, rapporteurs with long academic and professional careers were sought. In this way, students will be able to graduate with advanced technical knowledge and understanding of the blueberry industry in different parts of the world.

María Carmen Salas, program director and academic at the University of Almería, stated during her welcoming remarks: “This course was born after many years of working together (together with Blueberries Consulting) and after detecting the need for a demand both national (Spain) and international, in specialized technical training in soilless cultivation, more specifically, in blueberries”.

Chile, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador and Spain are some of the countries of origin of the students who will have the privilege of accessing the programs.

“In an increasingly technical industry, the constant improvement of knowledge is a necessity. As Blueberries Consulting, together with the distinguished University of Almería, we wanted to create this opportunity so that professionals from different countries can have access to quality and international training”, said Jorge Esquivel, director of Blueberries Consulting.

Both directors had the opportunity to meet last week at the University of Almería, to prepare the start of the programs and ensure that the contents of the courses run as planned.