NaLeA (teaching project)

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Sustainable food production in integrated aquaculture

Support programme

Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching, "Freiraum 2022" call for proposals

Background

The internationally oriented Master's degree course in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (M.Eng.) at Hof University of Applied Sciences combines a qualification in management and technical skills with the topics of digitalisation and sustainability. Previous teaching activities on the topic of food production in aquaculture with efficient use of resources have led to the realisation that students are very interested in more in-depth training in this area. In view of the specificity and complexity of integrated aquaculture, a course should be designed in such a way that not only sustainable concepts are conveyed. The focus should therefore be on the active acquisition of methodological skills relating to management and the application of digital control techniques.

Integrated aquaculture represents a cycle. Nutrients from fish farming are utilised in hydroponics after mechanical and biological filtration. The water purified by plants is returned to the fish. The diverse material flows are digitally monitored and controlled to guarantee optimum plant and fish welfare.

Objective

Students are to gain specialised and practical knowledge in the field of integrated food production in a new teaching concept. In a participative and independent approach, the planning, construction and operation of an aquaponics plant is dealt with. This combined production process of aquaculture of fish and hydroponics of plants is intended to provide problems relating to nutrient recycling, the solutions to which can be applied in an interdisciplinary manner. Digital and management skills will be taught through innovative, semi-virtual and self-determined teaching content.

Contents

The innovative teaching concept

The module will provide deeper insights into processes in overlapping virtual reality and reality than in previous teaching concepts. In the course of the elective module, students will actively take on the roles of plant operators, investors, project planners, authority representatives, building contractors and manufacturers of plant components and associated measurement and control technology. This gives them a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and complex interactions involved in the construction and commercial operation of aquaponics systems. The technical expertise gained can be transferred directly to other areas of water management.

Addressed SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

Contact person

Prof Dr Manuela Wimmer. Research group leader in the area of sustainability and project management in water management.

Prof Dr Manuela Wimmer

Research Group Leader

Sustainability and project management in water management (NaPro)

Portrait of Dr Harvey Harbach, research group leader for resource-efficient food production in integrated aquaculture at the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences.

Dr Harvey Harbach

Research group leader

Resource-efficient food production in integrated aquaculture (ReLe)

Projects

Further research projects

The research here is tough.

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