Agrifood Innovation Management (AIM) University of Trento

Overview

Introduction

The Master’s degree program in Agrifood Innovation Management (AIM) is designed to meet the demand of graduate students for professional and scientific skills in the field of agri-food innovation management, product enhancement, and improvement of quality management systems. The degree aims to train and develop agrifood innovation managers, who will be able to promote innovation in the agrifood industry, encourage the development of new business initiatives and endorse positive change at the supply chain level. These actions are geared to enhance and add value to specialties and high-quality produce of the area in which the agrifood innovation manager operates and facilitate the transition towards more sustainable agrifood production systems.

This highly interdisciplinary degree offers a training program that aims to stimulate innovative solutions in agrifood supply chains, from primary production to processing and commercialization. The degree also provides knowledge and understanding of the evolution of food culture and trends in agri-food markets.

Program Overview

The Master's degree course in Agrifood Innovation Management is the result of the collaboration between the University of Trento and the Edmund Mach Foundation and is hosted in the San Michele all'Adige campus: a center equipped with infrastructures and technologies that allow the transfer of theoretical and applied knowledge. 

In addition to classrooms, there are study rooms with computer stations, two teaching laboratories fully equipped for biology and chemistry activities, experimental greenhouses, several laboratories equipped for the analysis of agri-food products and food processing, an educational wine cellar and a farm with specific areas used for field teaching activities.

The province of Trento is an area characterized by a strong synergy between research, production, and promotion. This creates an ideal context for a degree program that aims to bring students closer to the job market.

The Steering Committee of this degree program is composed of the degree course coordinator, instructors nominated by the Center Council, a student representative, an administration manager, and 15 experts from the academic and professional arena who were nominated by the Center C3A Council.

AdmissionsThe Master’s degree program in Agrifood Innovation Management admits every year up to 10 non-EU citizens resident outside Italy. Italian citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens  living in Italy who intend to apply for the Master's degree program must instead follow the procedures outlined on the dedicated page.Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Master in Agrifood Innovation Management, it is necessary to have a first-level degree (Bachelor)  in Agricultural and Food sciences or related fields.

Candidates still attending a bachelor program may also apply and get conditional admission, subject to the condition that they obtain their bachelor degree before 30 June 2025 in the case of non-EU citizens living abroad;

In addition, candidates need:

• to have proof of English language knowledge at least at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference)

• to have a basic knowledge of the Italian language. Non-native speakers of Italian will hold part of the interview in Italian. If the selection committee considers the level of Italian insufficient, the student will have to include an elective or extra-curricular course in Italian in his/her study plan if admitted to the master’s programme.

How to Apply

The online application form must be completed fully and electronically submitted by applicants by the deadline.

Applicants will be required to upload the following supporting documents in electronic format:

• a copy of a valid passport (photo and personal data only) curriculum vitae et studiorum;

• a copy of the degree certificate (an official translation of the degree certificate is required when the original document is not produced in English or Italian);

• the transcript of academic records including examinations, results, and credits (an official translation of the transcript of records is required when the original document is not produced in English or Italian). Information on the grading scale must be provided if the degree was not obtained in Italy. Scientific Disciplinary Sectors must also be indicated if the degree was obtained in Italy;

• proof of English knowledge at level B2 CEFR;

• proof of Italian knowledge, if available (in the case of non-native speakers only).

Curriculum

The Master’s degree in Agrifood Innovation Management is a two year program course taught entirely in English.

In addition to the traditional didactic activities (course, workshops, seminars) the course programme include:

• a 6 months research project (experimental thesis) in a company focused on the development and optimization of a product innovation or process technology

• workshops and seminars with industry professionals

• visits to several companies.

Program Outcome

Learning outcomes aim at acquiring knowledge in:

• biology, physiology, genetics of the production and harmful agents and their interaction in the ecosystem

• innovative and sustainable production, conservation and transformation methods of crop and alpine short-cycle animal farming as well as their impact on the chemical-physical and sensorial qualitative characteristics of agrifood products

• innovative strategies, solutions and methods for the quantitative-qualitative improvement of agricultural production, adaptive defense against biotic and abiotic stresses via a more sustainable use of natural resources and a reduction of the impacts on environmental and human health

• new strategies and methods to introduce innovation in agrifood production and processing

• principles for sustainable agrifood production and innovative solutions for the reduction of the anthropic impact of agriculture on the environment, with emphasis on risk and opportunities that rural areas may encounter

• key principles of marketing applied to the agrifood sector, with focus on innovative products, national and international markets and their evolution

• key principles of law related to agrifood production and commercialization, protection and promotion of technological innovation, including ethical principles

• machines and plants for the production, storage, and transformation of agri-food products, design, selection criteria with attention to the most innovative aspects also related to sensors and automation, control systems, and data analysis

At the end of their studies, graduates will be able to:

• improve crop and animal production in terms of quality and sustainability and increase the competitiveness of supply chains thanks to the introduction of advanced techniques and technologies, the use of traditional and innovative genetic improvement tools, the implementation of advanced agronomic practices including storage and transformation in post-harvest, the use of biotechnology and biological techniques for crop defense and animal nutrition in extensive farming to improve animal welfare

• develop or optimize innovative and sustainable production processes including aspects related to production, genetic improvement, defense, engineering, agricultural economics, marketing, industrial standards, and regulations

• design, introduce and independently manage and test the innovation in traditional supply chains, also considering the production of new types of food, with attention to the market demand and consumer preferences

• program, plan and conduct analyses, process collected data with advanced mathematical models and IT tools; critically interpret the results; write reports within research project and development of research proposal which aims to improve agricultural production and its sustainability

Career Opportunities

The course aims at training a high-level professional figure specialized in the planning and management of innovation in agri-food supply chains with a specific focus on the improvement of agronomic management and storage on small to  medium farms and in other contexts, such as:

• companies operating in the production, storage, transformation, and marketing of plant and animal products

• cooperatives

• public and private entities that offer specific services in the agri-food sector

• public and private research and consultancy institutions, national (Ministries, Regional and Provincial Departments, Professional trade associations, National Certification Service, Technical Services of Local and Territorial Administrations, Environmental Agencies, Associations for the protection of productions, certification bodies for agricultural production, etc.) and international organization in the public sector  (European Commission, EFSA, FAO, etc.)

• large retail centers and chains

• freelance agronomist profession.

The graduate in Agrifood Innovation Management will be able to continue his training with a Doctorate programme at the University of Trento (Agrifood and environmental sciences) or at other Italian and foreign Universities.