Second Network Wide Training Events

The event began with a dedicated workshop on scientific communication, providing doctoral candidates with practical tools to effectively communicate their research. This was followed by the project's Mid-Term Check meeting, during which the consortium, together with the European Commission Project Officer, reviewed the progress achieved during the first eighteen months of the project and discussed the next stages of implementation.
 

Throughout the week, participants attended a series of lectures focusing on avian influenza vaccination and diagnostics, the main theme of this second NWTE. Topics included poultry immunology, influenza detection and characterisation using PCR and sequencing, serological methods, antigenic cartography, vaccine technologies, and the implementation of H5 and H9 vaccination and surveillance programmes worldwide. Representatives from both academia and industry shared their expertise, providing participants with a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and practical applications.

The programme has once again encouraged interactions between doctoral candidates and supervisors through dedicated discussion sessions, allowing participants to exchange ideas, discuss the progress of individual PhD projects, and identify new opportunities for collaboration across the network. In addition, participants had the opportunity to discover vaccination equipment during a dedicated showroom and to learn from field veterinarians involved in the implementation of poultry vaccination programmes in France.
 

Beyond the scientific programme, the NWTE once again provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships within the consortium through informal discussions and social activities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the VIVACE network.
 

Overall, this second NWTE successfully combined advanced scientific training, project follow- up, and networking opportunities, further supporting the professional development of the doctoral candidates and strengthening collaboration across the consortium.