The Welcome ceremony marks the official start of the new academic year at IAMZ and is organized for all students, staff and external partners. The MSc programmes held during this academic year are Plant Breeding (IAMZ-CIHEAM/UdL, Zaragoza), Animal breeding and reproduction biotechnology (IAMZ-CIHEAM/UAB/UPV/IVIA/INIA, Valencia and Barcelona), and Aquaculture (IAMZ-CIHEAM/ ULPGC, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria).

Representatives from Universities and Ministries will accompany IAMZ Director, Javier Sierra, in officially welcoming students to IAMZ on Monday 24 September. New students will hear about the main activities carried out by IAMZ and, as in previous years, renowned speakers have been invited to a round table to address CRIPSR and the new scientific advances that are shaping the future of agriculture. On this occasion the guest speakers are Diego Orzáez (Head scientist, Institute of Plant Molecular and Cell Biology, IBMCP-CSIC, Valencia), Pablo Vargas (Research Lecturer, Royal Botanic Garden, CSIC, Madrid), Elena Sáenz (Director of the National Association of Plant Variety Developers, ANOVE, Madrid) and Jesús Val (Director of Aula Dei Experimental Station, EEAD – CSIC, Zaragoza).

Following the ceremony, there will be a welcome reception. Attendees are encouraged to stay and meet fellow new students and IAMZ staff and representatives of partner institutions.