The four individuals will be selected from a list of employee and customer candidates.

The university, which is making the offer in appreciation of what it calls ‘Cobb’s strong support and generosity’ to its Department of Poultry Science, will make four seats available per semester over the two-year programme.

The Certificate Program in Poultry Meat Production, which is completely online, is taught by members of the Poultry Science faculty and will include four classes: General Avian Sciences, Poultry Meat Production, Breeder and Hatchery Management and Animal Waste Management.

Randy Vardeman, vice president of production for Cobb, commented: “We are proud to support the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science and are excited to offer the opportunity to these four individuals to broaden their knowledge in poultry meat production.”