University of Oxford Offers Masters-Level Course in Welfare
UK - Oxford University's Animal Welfare Masters-level programme has been designed for the meat and livestock supply chain. It represents a collaboration between leading animal welfare experts from the University's Animal Behaviour Research Group and the food industry sponsored Food Animal Initiative (FAI).
15 December 2009
3 minute read
Concerns about animal welfare in food production are forcing food retailers to set high levels of animal welfare standards throughout their poultry and meat supply chain. In response to these concerns Oxford University have developed a be-spoke training programme in animal welfare and livestock production that provides high quality flexible learning for those in or concerned with the meat and livestock industry including producers, processors, retailers, caterers, NGOs and anyone with an interest in the future of animal farming.
The programme is designed help UK food producers, retailers and food outlets to meet the changing demands of their customers and so ensure that they are in the forefront of the delivery of high quality food. It is delivered using distance learning, direct teaching and commercially relevant project based work all designed to minimise disruption to working lives.
"We recognise that it is difficult to justify leaving the office to attend residential courses, so we are offering these industrially-oriented Master's-level courses as a series of one-day courses, supplemented by online support," says Professor Marian Stamp Dawkins, Head of the Animal Behaviour Research Group.
The programme was developed with grants provided through the UK government's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) Modular Training for Industry (MTI) programme. This joint initiative involves the Animal Behaviour Research Group, the FAI and the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Centre.
The Programme is structured into two modules, each lasting five months and comprising four one-day courses, in Oxford, combined with online tutor support designed to provide flexible learning for busy people. Module 1: Animal Welfare in Commercial Livestock Production starts February 2010 and Module 2: Conducting Research and Development within Commercial Agriculture in September 2010.
For more information, contact the Course Administrator (Tel: 01865 286953; e-mail: [email protected] or click here.
