July 2024 marked a significant milestone – the graduation of the first cohort from the EU-CONEXUS Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology. This two-year international programme is the result of years of cooperation, foresight, and the commitment of European universities to using research and education to address important issues in marine biotechnology.
An Initiative Based on Collaboration and Innovation
The origins of this Master’s programme go back to 2016, when La Rochelle Université’s Academic Coordinator, Stéphanie Bordenave, proposed a programme that incorporated blue growth and blue economy. ‘As is often the case, it all began with an idea,’ Bordenave remembers. With support from La Rochelle Université and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, a call for collaboration was launched, to which Ana de Luis, a professor at the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), was among the first to respond.
Over the following years, this initial partnership expanded to include CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of University of Porto), the University of Stirling, and key industry stakeholders. Prof. Bordenave describes the project as ‘a dynamic group of people working together to design a Master’s programme focused on blue biotechnology, with the aim of nurturing young talents.’
Although the proposal was met with excitement, there were several obstacles in the way of its progress. Challenges included managing organisational and cultural differences, as well as navigating diverse national regulations. However, their persistence was rewarded in late 2016, when the Blue Career Project approved the proposal, opening the door for the launch of the programme’s original framework.
The Creation of EU-CONEXUS and the Joint Master’s Programme
The next crucial step was the establishment of EU-CONEXUS, a European University Alliance devoted to the sustainability of urban coastal environments, in 2019. One of the first collaborative programmes under the European Universities Initiative, the Joint Master’s Programme in Marine Biotechnology was consolidated thanks to this platform. As Prof. Ana de Luis remarked, ‘The European Commission offered us a blank page — a space to create joint multidisciplinary and student-oriented programmes while identifying challenges and proposing innovative solutions,’.
The development of the programme required concerted efforts from academic teams, administrative staff, and government departments at an international level. From curriculum design to legal framework compliance, accreditation using European Approach for joint programmes, needed constant discussion, cooperation, and consensus-building, every aspect had to be addressed. For De Luis, Chair of the EU-CONEXUS Academic Council from 2019-2022, ‘This was a team effort that demonstrated our institutions’ ability to be innovative and cohesive’. The resulting programme is a unique offering that exemplifies EU-CONEXUS’s commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and sustainability.
A Milestone that Goes Beyond the First Graduating Class
The graduation ceremony of the first cohort in 2024 was a moment of celebration—not only for the academic achievements of the students, but also for the symbolic significance of the project. During the event, Professors Bordenave and de Luis, acting as the godmothers of the graduating class, reflected on the common principles and teamwork that shaped the Master’s programme during the celebration.
‘Our students have not only gained technical expertise but also learnt to appreciate cultural, linguistic, and social diversity,’ De Luis said, emphasising the transforming character of the academic experience. ‘They are now prepared to make a significant contribution to building a more sustainable world.’ Bordenave also encouraged graduates to remain connected to the EU-CONEXUS network and actively participate in the programme’s future growth.
The programme’s initial results are already evident. While some graduates have started working for marine biotechnology companies or are looking for new career opportunities, many have chosen to continue their research in PhD programmes. For example, one graduate completed his Master’s thesis at I2SysBio, a research institute in Valencia, and is now working there. The Ohio University (USA) has hired another student as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).
Additionally, one of the graduates is currently employed as a Project Specialist at ITENE, in Valencia, and another student, who completed her Master’s thesis at TBI in France, is now pursuing her PhD there. These success stories demonstrate how well the programme prepares students for a range of academic, research, and industrial career paths.
Now the application period for the fourth cohort of a new Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology is open. The programme has nearly forty spots open for students and also offers scholarships for the next generation of talents.
