Researchers from QGG have already taught several courses at IVH, and this informal cooperation has now been formalised with the signatures of the two heads of department.

The cooperation agreement is valid from the fall semester of 2017, and comprises two courses so far: Avl og reproduktionsstyring (Breeding and Reproduction Management) at bachelor level, and Quantitative Genomics and Breeding at master level. The students at IVH will also have the opportunity of taking further courses offered by QGG at Aarhus University.

In a time where parallel and competing expertise between universities often blocks the way for fruitful cooperation, the cooperation agreement is a major advantage for both departments. 

- Denmark has strong and well established university environments within livestock genomics research and livestock breeding. The fact that we are strengthening the cooperation between KU and AU within these fields means that the students get better teaching and that the research is strengthened for the benefit of both the universities and the relevant industries, says course responsible at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (KU), professor Merete Fredholm, and adds: The course has received good assessments from the students. They are happy with the mix of lectures, exercises and project work. The only point of criticism is that there could be a better coordination between the three course modules, which of course will be improved.

The strengthening of the overall national level of expertise within quantitative genetics and breeding is also something, the centre director of Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, professor Mogens Sandø Lund, emphazises:

- With the agreement we assume responsibility for the education of young candidates in livestock breeding and genetics, regardless at which university the education is based. Our hope is that it will result in skilled candidates, who will continue to work with genetics, either at the universities or in the industry. Furthermore, we are looking forward to a closer cooperation between the quantitative genetics at QGG and the more molecular approach at KU.

The farming industry also expresses satisfaction with the agreement.

Morten Andersen Linnet, research politics director at the industry organisation Danish Agriculture & Food Council (Landbrug & Fødevarer), says that  

- It is truly positive that the universities in this way bring the best expertise in play, and through cooperation create some very strong research environments. Quantitative genetics and breeding is one of the areas where we have a research environment at international level, from which all students within livestock should benefit from – regardless of whether they study at  AU or KU.

One of the industry’s strongest players in the field, VikingGenetics in Randers who employ candidates from both universities, is also satisfied with the cooperation agreement:

- Now and in the future, VikingGenetics wants the best candidates and PhDs in quantitative genetics and livestock breeding in the education and research fields, says research & development director Søren Borchersen, and continues: -This is why a national cooperation between KU and AU, QGG is a big strengthening of a relatively small and specialized field, and very important for the continuous development of VikingGenetics and its ability to compete internationally within Genetics and Bio Technology.

According to the international ranking list Academic Ranking of World Universities, published by the independent organisation Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, both universities are in the world top 10 within agricultural research.

For further information please contact 

• Professor Mogens Sandø Lund, Aarhus University
• Professor Merete Fredholm, University of Copenhagen