International Master in Plant Genetics, Genomics and Breeding - Genética, genómica y mejora vegetal

"From a professional and educational standpoint, the diff erent editions of the Master have helped me update my knowledge on genetics and new gene technologies. The programme has also been very useful for my work, helping me to learn and understand how horticultural variety breeding companies work. I have been able to contact lecturers and researchers from other centres, share opinions and ideas that have helped me refocus
some aspects of my work and even establish other approaches to the lines of development and innovation pursued in the cooperative I work for. The usefulness and advantages of attending this Master are many, from research grants, training for researchers, development of breeding programmes to the pride in learning and being continuosly updated on everything related to plant breeding".
José Manuel Estévez

"Attending this Plant Breeding Master programme is one of the best decisions I have ever made for my professional training and personal development. It was a very fulfi lling experience which aff orded me great knowledge and opened many doors for me. The scientifi c contents of the Master’s and the combination of lectures with team work and workshops were very useful to help me acquire new knowledge and provided me with many connections, work off ers and references. The opportunity I had to conduct research during the second year was very useful to guide my first steps in my scientific career"
Najla Ksouri
PhD student CSIC-EEAD

"The Master has meant a large step forward in my professional career as well as in my personal life. At a professional level, it has enabled me to consolidate my knowledge and embark upon a scientifi c career that I thoroughly enjoy; it has been a very good Master as it off ered us the possibility of learning together with a great group of staff and lecturers at IAMZ. On a personal level it has allowed me to establish links of friendship with colleagues from diff erent countries and during my time in Zaragoza, IAMZ became home for international students, for which I am very grateful".
Rosa Angélica Sánchez Díaz
Director General for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology National Institute for Agricultural Innovation-INIA

"Doing the Master at IAMZ has enabled me to develop professionally (networking) and personally. This work has allowed me to acquire deeper knowledge of the crop and develop and implement methodologies and new innovative tools to assess varieties. Finally, defending my Final Master
Project was yet another opportunity to develop professional skills such as perseverance and orientation towards results".
Samir Kerfal>

"The phenomenon of genotype by environment interaction (GxE) occurs when genotypes react diff erently to changes in their growing environment. Modelling of GxE is important for understanding adaptedness, adaptability and stability of genotypes. Simultaneously, understanding GxE allows
breeders to design effi cient breeding programmes. In the course, students will learn about various classes of statistical models to tackle problems related to GxE"
Fred van Eeuwijk
Wageningen UR, the Netherlands

"Genetic resources are a treasure inherited from our ancestors and it is our duty to transmit them to future generations. They are essential to guarantee food security and face the challenges of climate change because without diversity there is no possible selection. The course analyses
the importance of genetic resources, their growing erosion and the interdependence of genetic resources between countries. Furthermore, the socio-economic, political and ethical implications related to their conservation and sustainable use are analysed as well as the development of
legal instruments negotiated and approved by all countries."
José Esquinas
UPM, Madrid