INTENSIVE STUDENT COURSE FOCUSED ON THE PRODUCTION AND SAFETY
OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS

From August 22 to 26, 2022, an intensive student course focused on the production and safety of animal products was held at the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. 

The course was attended by a total of 17 participants from the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, University of Agriculture in Krakow and University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. The aim of the intensive course was to provide the participants with the latest information in the field of production and safety of food of animal origin in the form of lectures, practical exercises, and excursions in production companies. As part of the lecture part of the course, the participants were presented with the latest information from the fields of technology, innovation, and poultry processing; nutritional and chemical composition of meat and meat products; of primary milk production and safety of products of animal origin, especially regarding microbial safety. The lectures were accompanied by audio-visual materials and stimulating discussions on the presented topics, during which the participants exchanged opinions, information, and experiences from their scientific research so far. 

As part of the laboratory exercises, the participants were presented with laboratory premises, laboratory equipment and analytical procedures carried out at individual workplaces of the university, where the participants tried several analyses. The participants showed the greatest interest in NIR-FTIR analysis and its possible use and methods of calibration for individual commodities. As part of the course, the participants completed an excursion in the food production company TAURIS Spišská Nová Ves, which produces a wide range of meat products, the production of which is subject to IFS standards. The excursion was a great benefit for the course participants, as they could see the real conditions of production according to the strictest requirements of IFS standards and communicate the issue of ensuring the hygienic safety of food directly with the responsible employees of the company, as well as inspect the company's internal laboratory. 

The added value of the course was not only acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but also the establishment of contacts and friendships between the course participants during social evenings, which can be used in the future in the professional activities of the participants and the improvement of communication in the English language, which is an integral part of Erasmus.