We talk with Fernando Estellés, professor at ETSEAMN, researcher at the Institute of Animal Science and Technology (ICTA-UPV) and director of the Master of Precise Stockbreeding.
- Bon dia, first of all we would like to know you better so we ask you to introduce yourself to your colleagues, who is Fernando Estellés?
I am Professor at the Department of Animal Science and researcher at the Institute of Animal Science and Technology.I joined the UPV in 2007. and, since then, I have been teaching at the school.
I went to study at home, although I have had the opportunity to do several stays abroad during these years that have opened my mind a lot. I have been passionate about animals and the natural environment since I was very young and I have had the good fortune to be able to learn from all these years.. I love teaching, encouraging critical thinking and generating more questions than answers.
The Master’s Degree in Precision Livestock Farming covers a very important area of recent development in the field of technology applied to livestock production.
- As the director of the Master in Precision Farming, can you explain to us what it consists of?
The Master’s Degree in Precision Farmingit covers a very important role in an area of recent development such as the technology applied to livestock production.. We have more and more technology available that allows us to do things that a few years ago we thought were science fiction (e.g. image recognition, artificial intelligence, etc.) and animal production is not alien to this reality.
The master’s degree aims to train professionals who are able to connect the livestock world with all this technology to facilitate the work with animals.The livestock industry is immersed in a process of change and modernization that is advancing at a very high speed and we need professionals who are capable of guiding this progress. I firmly believe that this master’s degree enables us to make this technological leap in the farms.
Behind the Master’s study plan there have been more than 30 companies that have helped us to identify priorities, as well as students, alumni and UPV and other universities’ professors.
- What aspects of the Master would you highlight?
This is a very complete master’s degree, by all means. It is worth noting that behind the study plan there have been more than 30 companies that have helped us to identify priorities, as well as students, alumni and teachers from the UPV and other universities.
The master’s degree is very innovative, addressing issues of sensing, advanced biotechnological applications, traceability, environmental sustainability, animal welfare and certification systems,The program is taught by our own professors and a great deal of participation of external collaborators, experts in the subjects. But beyond the issues specific to animal production, the master’s degree also includes the followingThe program is based on the management of large databases (BigData), learning how to program statistical applications. Fins i tot labusiness management, marketing and human resources,which are skills that have been demanded by companies in the sector.
- What impact does it have on the scientific field?
This master’s degree is closely linked to scientific development by its very nature. We are continuously working with cutting-edge technologies and assisting in the development of new technologies and biotechnological processes.
De fet,It could be said that it is a master’s degree in which the scientific world is being linked to the productive-entrepreneurial world in the livestock sector. The subject matter of the master’s degree is directly related to the R&D&I departments of companies, always pushing the limits of knowledge.
One of the strong points of the master’s degree is the work on case studies proposed by companies, in which students provide solutions to the challenges posed by these companies.
- And on the labor market insertion of students?
We still do not have data on labor market insertion because we are in the first edition of the master’s degree, but I think it is remarkable that100% of the students who have chosen to do so are doing paid internships in companies in the sector.. The companies themselves have given a lot of value to the profile of the graduate and have realized that he has a very important role to play,Until now, I did not have a specific degree. Many companies have been interested in the master’s degree, not only in the not only to train their own employees, but also to be able to hire professionals who are able to provide added value.
In fact, one of the strong points of the master’s degree is the work on case studies proposed by companies in which students propose solutions to challenges posed by them. This exercise allows a very close and interesting interaction with the companies.
The master’s degree enables entry into a research career and the development of a doctoral thesis.
- Is it possible to develop a research career after finishing these studies?
Completely. This master’s degree enables students to enter a research career and to develop a doctoral thesis. It should be taken into account that the topics addressed in the master’s degree are, in many cases, at the frontier of knowledge and are directly related to incipient research lines at the international level.The scientific field to develop in this subject is very wide and incipient, so the research possibilities are very extensive.
- Ending in a more personal and distant perspective, what slogan or phraseand serve as an inspiration?
I love the African proverb that says:“Vosaltres teniu els rellotges, nosaltres tenim el temps“I think it’s quite a lesson in these times of continuous pressures in which we live.
- Will Elon Musk end up with Twitter or will the opposite happen?
I have always thought that if something is good enough, it transcends all those who direct and/or manage it. However, I believe thatsocial xarxes come to an end because another one appears more adapted to the times, so maybe it is Tik Tok that ends them both.
- If Twitter disappears, will you switch to Mastodon?
I would be very sorry, but if Twitter disappears, I think it will be to the social networks that are ahead such as Instagram, Tik Tok or who knows what new network will appear tomorrow!
- La pizza, amb o sense pinya?
Sense, per favor, that we are a civilized society!!! 😉 😉.
- In winter, socks to sleep in?
Sense, iamb un peu fora del nòrdic per a termorregular
- Holidays, sea or mountain?
No puc viure sense la marbut on vacation is when I can enjoy the mountain that I love with and without snow, moreover, in the sea there are no cows 😉
- Finally, coffee alone or with milk?
Només, curt i sense sucre.