More than 80 people, mostly university students studying veterinary medicine, agricultural engineering, nutrition, and food science and technology, participated yesterday in the presentation of the Provacuno Campus, an initiative promoted by the Interprofessional Beef Organization (Provacuno) with the support of the Vet+i Foundation, aimed at university students interested in the beef sector.
The welcome was given by María Jaureguízar, Managing Director of Vet+i, who also moderated the rest of the session. Javier López, Director of PROVACUNO, then opened the session by highlighting the role of young people in the future of beef, as well as the work being carried out by Provacuno to promote generational renewal and innovation, such as this Campus initiative, a link between university students and industry entities.
Subsequently, Arancha Martínez, Director of Communications at Provacuno, gave a detailed presentation on the Provacuno Campus, whose mission is to build bridges between academia and industry, train professionals committed to the future of the sector, showcase career opportunities, and bring the sector’s reality closer to students pursuing degrees in Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Food Science and Technology, and Agricultural Engineering, among others. The benefits of being part of the campus were also explained. The only requirement is to be a university student and register through the link on the Provacuno website.
This was followed by a sector-specific discussion involving Matilde Moro, manager of the Spanish Association of Beef Cattle Producers (ASOPROVAC), and Giuseppe Aloisio, general director of the Spanish Meat Industries Association (ANICE). During the conversation, the two discussed the present and future of the beef sector, its challenges, and opportunities.
Giuseppe defined this field as “a sector that combines tradition and the cutting edge, and where young people must maintain a critical spirit.” He also added that it is a sector for careers, one that fosters expert loyalty, and encompasses a wide variety of profiles. Matilde Moro, for her part, emphasized the growing demand for qualified technicians in the sector and the importance that digitalization is acquiring, both to ensure animal health and well-being and to make optimal use of resources. Both agreed that beef is a sector with a strong tradition, but one that is fully open to innovation.
Following the discussion, a roundtable discussion took place, comprised of leading figures from the livestock, business, and student sectors. Participants included Oriol Canal, president of the Spanish Association of Beef Producers of Catalonia (ASOPROVAC Catalunya); Sergio Santos, founder of Bovitecnia; and Víctor Godino, president of the Association of Veterinary Students for Livestock (AVEGA).
The importance of communication in the sector, sustainability, and generational evolution were highlighted during the panel discussion. “Ruminants, and cows in particular, use land that cannot be cultivated and cellulose that humans cannot digest, and transform it into high-value protein; they are great recyclers,” noted Oriol Canal.
For his part, Víctor Godino insisted that “we must show consumers how production is actually done, using social media with accurate and scientifically backed information.” Sergio Santos encouraged young people to join the sector, asserting that “the quality of life of beef cattle technicians is improving significantly. Approximately 80% of the work is planned (preventive medicine, feeding, pasture management, etc.) and is well planned, allowing for a balanced personal and professional life.”
Finally, Consuelo Serres, president of the Conference of Deans of Veterinary Faculties in Spain, closed the event by highlighting the importance of this type of initiative in developing committed, skilled, and connected professionals in the sector. She thanked all attendees for their participation.
More information: www.provacuno.es/campus-provacuno
The Provacuno Campus presentation will be available on Provacuno’s YouTube channel soon.
