The new Aquaculture Diploma cohort 2026–2027, together with Bachelor’s students from the University of Akureyri, kicked off the academic year with their very first onsite practicum, from 27 to 28 August, an exciting first immersion into the world of aquaculture!
Accompanied by Paul V. Debes, Professor, and Marie Delbasty, Teaching and Research Assistant, the students spent two intensive days exploring the Icelandic aquaculture sector through a series of farm and industry visits across Northeast Iceland.
From classroom theory to real-world aquaculture!
During these two days, students were immersed in the world of aquaculture. They visited several aquaculture farms and saw salmonids at different stages of production, as well as the facilities and activities involved in fish farming.
The visits also provided an opportunity to meet aquaculture professionals and hear directly from them about their work. Students received detailed explanations of farming operations and gained firsthand insight into what it is like to work in the aquaculture industry.
Understanding what goes into fish feed
The on-site practicum also included a visit to a fish feed manufacturing plant, offering students a fascinating insight into another essential part of the aquaculture value chain. They learned more about how fish feed is produced and, in particular, explored its composition and nutritional requirements, helping them better understand how feed contributes to fish growth, health and overall production performance.
Learning together, connecting
Beyond the technical and scientific knowledge gained during the onsite practicum, the two days were also a great opportunity to strengthen connections between students and teachers.
A dinner that brought everyone together provided a relaxed moment to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships among the Aquaculture Diploma students, Bachelor’s students, and teaching staff.
This first onsite practicum marked an exciting start to the 2026–2027 Aquaculture Diploma journey — combining field experience, scientific learning, industry connections and, of course, plenty of enthusiasm for the future of aquaculture!
A big thank you to all the farms, professionals and partners who welcomed the students and contributed to making these two days such a rich and memorable learning experience.
