The Summer School “Meet the fascinating world of Green Genetics” (23 – 27 Aug) has come and gone. This was the twelfth time that Wageningen University held this study week in partnership with seed companies and the Technological Top Institute Green Genetics.
In an intensive one-week programme, an international group of students of biology, plant sciences, horticulture and life science students were introduced to plant breeding, the seed sector and the modern technologies employed there.
The efforts of the Seed Valley companies resulted in a varied programme for 28 highly motivated students on Thursday, all of them approximately halfway through their studies. At guest company Syngenta, Joost Kos (Syngenta) and Bert Schrijver (Bejo) explained all about their research portfolio. In between the guest lectures, the students were given a chance to see the work of phytopathology, flower seed production and impatiens breeding.
The subject-related programme was followed by a peek in the Enza Zaden “kitchen”: before the very eyes of the students, chef René van Empelen prepared a series of tasty works of art using product innovations from Seed Valley: deep-fried multi-coloured carrot crisps as a bar snack; tabbouleh with shallots and roasted sweetgreen peppers; a scallop on a compôte of red onion; fillet of lamb on a bed of red cabbage and green conical cabbage. The participants got the chance to compare and taste sweet peppers in all colours and shapes.
Meanwhile, the future generation were busy talking to ten Seed Valley professionals about studies, work placements and rungs on the career ladder. The students left Seed Valley with a complete information pack about the different companies and career opportunities.