Technician for the Production of Organic Products
- Description
Technician for the Production of Organic Products
2 academic years, 120 ECTS, Diploma
- Programme Description
- Learning Outcomes
- Programme Structure
- Programme Syllabi
- Academic Staff
- Αξιολογημένο – Πιστοποιημένο Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών από τον Φορέα Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης της Ποιότητας της Ανώτερης Εκπαίδευσης (ΔΙ.Π.Α.Ε.)
- Κρατική χορηγία μέχρι €3.420 για κάθε έτος σπουδών (με εισοδηματικά κριτήρια)
One of the new innovative programs at KES College is the “Organic Products Production Technician” program. Organic farming and livestock production have been rapidly growing in recent years in Cyprus, as well as in other European countries, aiming to protect human health and the environment.
The pioneering program in Organic Products Production Technician offered by KES College comprehensively addresses the educational needs of new farmers in both plant (e.g., vegetable cultivation, viticulture-enology, fruit growing, aromatic plants) and animal (e.g., poultry, livestock, dairy farming, beekeeping) organic production. It also provides support in developing investment plans to utilize EU and Cypriot government funding available for agricultural development.
COMPREHENSIVE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL TRAINING
The Organic Products Production Technician program thoroughly meets the theoretical and practical training needs of its students through significant collaborations with state-of-the-art organic farms and businesses in Cyprus, as well as in partnership with the Cyprus Organic Farmers Association.
Job Opportunities
- Εmployment in Organic Production Companies in relation to:
– Quality Control of Organic Products
– Production of agricultural, poultry and livestock products - Organic Production and Control Systems
- Organic Production Companies:
– Organic crop farms
– Organic Poultry/Livestock Farms - Creating a Business:
– Production of Organic Food
– Organic Agriculture/Poultry/Livestock
- Graduates, acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding the production of organic products.
- Familiarisation with the basic principles and concepts of research and development of new organic products.
- Graduates acquire the necessary specialized knowledge and skills to be able to produce organic products in accordance with appropriate methods and relevant legislation.
- Graduates will be able to apply sustainable technologies for new dynamic crops to replace conventional and complementary agricultural products which are in many cases imported from foreign countries.
- Be able to develop a cultivation plan for the transition of conventional crop to organic.
- To get great practical experience so they are ready to enter the profession of Organic Products’ Producer.
| Semester 1 |
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| COURSES | P.P.W* | ECTS |
| Agricultural Chemistry | 3 | 6 |
| Introduction to Botany | 5 | 8 |
| Introduction to Organic Agriculture | 3 | 6 |
| Introduction to Zootechnics | 3 | 6 |
| Introduction to the Agricultural Economy | 2 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 30 |
| Semester 2 |
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| COURSES | P.P.W* | ECTS |
| Ecology | 2 | 4 |
| Farm Machines | 2 | 4 |
| Organic Production Legislation | 2 | 4 |
| Organic Farm Management | 2 | 4 |
| Soil – Plant Nutrition | 2 | 3 |
| Organic Livestock and Poultry | 3 | 5 |
| Greenhouse Technology | 2 | 3 |
| Apiculture | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 30 |
| Semester 3 |
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| COURSES | P.P.W* | ECTS |
| Plant Protection | 3 | 6 |
| Vegetable Prodution – Olericulture | 3 | 6 |
| Aromatic and Medicinal Plants | 2 | 4 |
| Viticulture – Oenology | 2 | 4 |
| Food Technology of Biological Origin | 2 | 4 |
| Arboriculture | 3 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 15 | 30 |
| Semester 4 |
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| COURSES | P.P.W* | ECTS |
| Packaging, Standardization, Processing and Distribution of Organic Products | 2 | 4 |
| Healthy Nutrition and Organic Products | 2 | 4 |
| Improved Irrigation Systems | 2 | 4 |
| Organic Dairy Products | 3 | 6 |
| Project Writing | 3 | 6 |
| Practical Training | 5 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 30 |
*P.P.W.: Period per week. Duration: 55 minutes.
Agricultural Chemistry
The purpose of the course is to provide students with basic knowledge of General, Inorganic, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry which are necessary for understanding and consolidating the knowledge that graduates of the program must possess.
Introduction to Botany
The purpose of this course is to make students aware of the value of plants for the existence of all organisms on earth. In addition, the course aims to give the students the theoretical background in Plant Botany.
Introduction Organic Agriculture
Organic farming is an alternative way of farming to conventional farming. It is a new sustainable-oriented model of agricultural production. This course aims to introduce students to Organic Farming and Organic Farming Methods.
Introduction to Zootechnics
In this course students will acquire the basic knowledge of animal science which is a prerequisite for the courses of animal production that will follow in the next three semesters of their studies.
Introduction to the Agricultural Economy
Students will gain knowledge on the application of economic principles in the Rural Economy and especially in the field of organic products.
Ecology
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the science of ecology so that they understand the relationships between different organisms and the environment and the need for its improvement.
Farm Machines
The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the agricultural tools and the machinery used in agricultural work. The course also aims to enable the students to select the appropriate machinery and tools for the timely and rapid execution of agricultural work.
Organic Production Legislation
The course aims at acquiring the necessary knowledge of the legal framework for environmental protection as well as of the production, certification and marketing of organic products and food in Cyprus and in the EU, as well as the certification standards which are followed for the documentation of food safety and transition as well as the responsible bodies and authorities for the compliance with the relevant regulation.
Organic Farm Management
This course will provide the students with all the necessary knowledge on the production of Organic Products, plant-based and animal production, and the management of a small farm within the framework of European Regulations and Cypriot Legislation.
Soil-Plant Nutrition
Soil is one of the most important factors in agricultural production, and this course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of the soil and its chemical composition. In addition, it aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to use soil fertilizers to enrich soil with the elements needed for the improvement of plant growth.
Organic Livestock and Poultry
The purpose of the course is to give students a thorough understanding of the concepts of Organic Livestock and Organic Poultry as well as the basic principles governing Organic Livestock and Poultry accordingly. In addition, the course aims to understand the changes needed to convert a conventional livestock unit into an organic one.
Greenhouse Technology
The aim of the Greenhouse Technology course is for students to acquire the knowledge needed to produce greenhouse crops.
Apriculture
The purpose of the course “Apriculture” is to help students understand the importance of bees on the planet and especially in organic farming. The students will acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them practice apriculture properly and to take good care of their bees. They will also have the opportunity to train in the field.
Plant Protection
The purpose of the course “Plant Protection” is to provide students with the necessary knowledge about plant diseases in order to recognize the symptoms of each disease, to identify it and ultimately to propose the appropriate method of treatment.
Vegetable Production- Olericulture
The purpose of this course is to give the students the general principles of Vegetable Production in relation to the growth, development, production, storage, processing and marketing depending on each source group separately.
Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
The purpose of the course is to provide students with both the general principles of aromatic plants in relation to the growth, development, proliferation and flowering of plants along with the origin, morphology, physiology and production of aromatic plants and essential oils.
Viticulture – Oenology
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles of viticulture and winemaking.
Food technology of Biological Origin
The purpose of the course is to familiarize the students with the different stages of the production and consumption of a farm product. In addition, basic and modern methods of treatment and maintenance of organic products are studied and presented. Finally the factors that directly affect the final quality of processed organic products are studied in depth.
Arboriculture
Arboriculture is one of the most basic courses of the Organic Agriculture and deals with the study of biological soil management through fruit trees and shrubs, in relation to the environment and living beings. It also deals with the origin, morphology, development and production of each fruit tree separately, as well as the standardization of tree products and shrubs.
Packaging, Standardization, Processing and Distribution of Organic Products
The purpose of the course is to familiarize the students with the basic specifications and procedures for packaging, standardization, processing and distribution of organic products.
Healthy nutrition and Organic Products
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles of healthy eating. The course also aims to examine if and to what extent the organic products contribute to human health.
Improved Irrigation Systems
This course is essential and it aims to train students into the design and installation of irrigation systems and automation systems, in order to exploit their potential and advantage in water saving, reduced working time and improved quality of the products.
Organic Dairy Products
Students in this course will be introduced to the composition, properties, microbiology and health status of organic milk and its products as well as the technology needed in order to ensure the quality of organic dairy products.
Project Writing
The aim of the Project Writing is to help students to properly use the acquired knowledge and skills and to deepen their interest in a field of biological agriculture, in order to proceed to the writing of a project thesis based on its chosen topic.
Practical Training
Practical training gives the opportunity to the students to gain practical experience in addition to the knowledge gained during their studies. In addition, students via the Practical training course will gain significant hands-on experience in order to be properly equipped to enter the profession. The Practical Training can take place in organic agricultural and livestock farms, organic products processing units, organic product disposal sites, organic certification organizations, organic product packaging areas, producer group bodies and organic product associations and more.
Coordinator of the Programme: Dr. Dimitrios Sarris
Office: 5 Kallipolis Avenue, 1055 Nicosia
Tel.: +357 22875737
E-mail: [email protected]
- Christodoulou Christina
- Giannakis Elias
- Konstantinou Eve
- Dr. Litskas Vasilis
- Lois Constantinos
- Papamichael Avraam
- Dr Papafilippou Petri
- Dr. Sarris Demetrios
Employment Status: Part Time
Position: Lecturer
Specialization: AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL
Programmes of Study: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING, TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS
Short cv: Christina Christodoulou is a lecturer since 2014.
She has a bachelor and master degree in Agriculture from Aristotelio University of Thessaloniki, with major in Plant Protection since 2008. In 2018, she successfully completed her studies and accomplished to obtain a master degree in Protection and Management of Environment, majoring in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Her dissertation title was ‘’The impact of environmental change to honey production in Cyprus’’. She is also a holder of a professional diploma in Public relations.
She worked in the Cyprus Cyprus Beekeeping Center as the Responsible Agronomist in charge, during the period 2008 – 2014.
Since 2010, she is an Approved Agronomist from Ministry of Agriculture with regards the program of Agriculture Development, 2007 – 2013 and 2014 – 2020, during which was involved in several researches and programs.
Commencing 2012, she teaches in Governmental Adult Education Centers courses in Agriculture and Gardening.
She teaches in MIIEK of the Ministry of Education from 2015 in the program of Biological Agriculture (2014 in Augorou, from 2016 in Limassol and currently in Paphos). She teaches: Morphology – Plant Physiology, Fertilizer, Greenhouse Technology, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Methods of Conservation of Organic Products – Legislation and Ethics of Organic Crops.
From 2016, she is a lecturer in KES Collage, as part of the Organic Products Production Program. She teaches the following courses: Introduction in botanic, Introduction Organic Agriculture, Greenhouse Technology, Beekeeping, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Viticulture – Oenology, Improved Irrigation Systems – Packaging – Standardization – Processing and Distribution of Organic Products.
During the period 2015 – 2019 was assuming the position of Chief Agronomist in Cyprus Agro Industry Centre.
She is the owner of Bio Farm Beeland – Melissochora Ltd, a company that engages in organic farming cultivating organic herbs, fruit trees and is the first unit in Cyprus with bees that has been certified as organic, keeping bees in Paphos and Troodos.
Positions in Institutions / Organized Bodies:
– President of the Cyprus Organic Farmers Association, 2019 – present
– Member of the Cyprus Agricultural Council, 2008 – present
– General Secretary of the Cyprus Agricultural Council, 2017 – 2019
– Member of the Cyprus Ecological Movement, 2018 – present
– Member of the Pancyprian Ecological Agricultural Association, 2017 – present
Employment status: Part – time
Position: Senior Lecturer
Specialization: Agricultural Economy
Programmes of Study: Technician for the Production of Organic Products
Brief Curriculum Vitae: Dr Giannakis Elias is a Senior Lecturer at KES COLLEGE since October 2022. He holds a Bachelor (2004), MSc (2006) and PhD (2011) in Agricultural Economics from the Agricultural University of Athens. He is a research associate in the Cyprus Institute (2014). His research interests focus on agricultural and environmental economics topics. He has published more than 30 papers in peer reviewed journals and he has participated in 15+ research projects. He teaches subjects of his specialty
Employment Status: Full Time
Position: Lecturer
Specialization: FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Programmes of Study: CULINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, HOTEL MANAGEMENT, TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS, TRAVEL AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT, PHARMACY ASSISTANT (TECHNICIAN), CULINARY ARTS
Short cv: Ms Eve Konstantinou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. She holds an MSc in Food Quality Management from the University of Wagenigen in Netherlands and a Degree in Food Technology from Karditsa Technological Educational Institute in Larissa. She has also received Certificates in Food Safety and Hygiene and contributed to research work by undertaking various surveys. From 2015 she works as an external consultant at Q-Point BV on food quality assurance issues.
Employment Status: Part Time
Position: Senior Lecturer
Specialization: Agriculture
Programmes of Study: Technician for the Production of Organic Products
Short CV: Dr Litskas is a teaching assistant in KES college since 2021. His background is Agriculture, Ecology and Environmental Protection. His PhD is in Veterinary Sciences (Ecology and Environmental Protection) and his MSc and Degree are in Agricultural Sciences, all obtained from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He is a research and teaching associate in Open University of Cyprus and Cyprus University of Technology (2014-today). He is involved in projects relevant to sustainable resources management and eco-innovation. He teaches agrometeorology, hydrology and environmental impact assessment. His research interests are Environmental Footprints, Climate Change & Agriculture and Ecosystem Services. He has participated in 10+ research projects under these topics (2006-Today). He has 25 papers in peer reviewed journals, with a h-index 8 and many presentations in international conferences.
Employment Status: Part Time
Position: Lecturer
Specialization: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION
Programmes of Study: TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS
Short cv: Mr. Constantinos Lois is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. He holds a Master’s degree in Organic Agricultural Systems from the Royal Agricultural College of Cirencester and a Bachelor Degree Technology in Plant Production. Since 2009 he has been working in a private company in the field of agriculture and horticulture as an agronomist. He teaches subjects of his specialty.
Employment Status: Part Time
Position: Lecturer
Specialization: RURAL ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE
Programmes of Study: TECHNICIAL FOR PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS
Short cv: Mr. Avraam (Makis) Papamichael is a Lecturer at KES College since 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, specializing in Agricultural Economics, graduating from the Agricultural School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2007 and a Postgraduate Degree in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development graduating from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of the Agricultural University of Athens in 2009. A second Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (MBA) is in progress by the Open University of Cyprus. Since 2017, he is a distinguished expert from the Human Resource Development Authority in the “Regional / Rural Economy and Development” field, while he is an Accredited Agricultural Engineer for the purposes of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Program. He is employed by the Limassol District Development Agency Ltd from 2017 until today, mainly participating in the implementation team of the Local Development Strategy of the Limassol District of Fisheries and Rural Areas. From 2009 to 2016, he was supervising the LEADER Group in the Larnaca and Famagusta Development Companies Ltd.
Employment status: Full-time
Position: Senior Lecturer
Specialization: Chemistry
Programmes of Study: Beauty Therapy, Beauty Therapy and Beauty Therapy Units Management, Medical Representatives Management, Technician for the Production of Organic Products
Brief Curriculum Vitae: Dr Petri Papafilippou, is employed as a Senior Lecturer at KES COLLEGE since October of 2022, teaching Chemistry lessons. Between September 2019 and June 2022 she has taught Chemistry lessons in other Higher Education Institutions in Cyprus.
Dr. Petri Papaphilippou graduated from the Chemistry Department of the University of Cyprus (2003) and received her MSc degree in Chemistry from the same department in 2005. The MSc thesis was emphasized on the Inorganic chemistry, and specifically on the synthesis and characterization of vanadium complexes V(IV,V) with chelate phenolate ligands. In 2010, Dr. Petri Papaphilippou received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing (University of Cyprus). During her PhD studies, she had worked on the synthesis, characterization and applications of new polymeric materials in the Βiomedical and Nanotechnology field. More specifically, the PhD thesis’ title is: “Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Novel Magneto-responsive and pH-Responsive Polymer-based Materials”. Between February 2011 and April 2013, she worked in “GAIA”-Laboratory of Environmental Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering (University of Cyprus) as post-doctoral researcher on projects funded by Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation, by European Union (ENPI, FP7) and by University of Cyprus Grant “New Researchers”. Within the postdoctoral fellowship period in “GAIA”, the research activities were focused on the design and application of advanced chemical oxidation methods for the treatment of olive oil wastewater and of photo-driven processes for the degradation of other xenobiotic compounds.
Between December 2013 and March 2015, she worked as post-doctoral associate at the Mechanical and Manufacturing Department (University of Cyprus). Moreover, the research activities were focused on the design and application of fibrous membranes on urban wastewater treatment and also, on the preparation of PVP-crosslinked electrospun membranes with embedded Cu2O nanoparticles and their effective utilization in heterogeneous catalysis. Moreover, since February 2019, she works as post-doctoral research fellow at the Mechanical and Manufacturing Department (University of Cyprus) on a project funded by Cyprus Research Foundation. Her research activity under this project is the synthesis of polymer-based micelles that have the ability to encapsulate into their micellar core pharmaceutical substances. Such composite compounds could be applied in Biomedical field as drug nano-carriers in Cancer therapy. Her research activities (citations ~ 340 (h-index = 7)) are published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Biomacromolecules, Chemical Engineering Journal και ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Furthermore, she was invited to review in international peer-reviewed scientific journals such as RSC advances, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Journal of Molecular Liquids, Polymer International and Ambiagua. Also, she co-supervised Bsc and Msc candidates whilst in the duration of her Msc, PhD thesis and Post-doctoral.
Employment Status: Full Time
Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer
Specialization: BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Programmes of Study: JOURNALISM WITH PUBLIC RELATIONS, GARDENING, BEAUTY THERAPY AND BEAUTY THERAPY UNITS MANAGEMENT
Short cv: Dr. Demetrios Sarris is an Academic Scholar with +15 years research experience, participating in over 20 international and national research projects and has developed international collaborations with scientists from Switzerland, USA, France, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus and Greece. Publications of his research teams have a significant impact and are featured in leading scientific journals, with research findings having been presented in +30 primarily international conferences. He is also a reviewer for more than 10 international journals and has designed and supervised over 30 Thesis. Trained in Switzerland (Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel) and Greece (Dept of Biology, Univ. of Patras) in Biology (BSc), in Ecology and Environmental Management (MSc) and in Dendro- Ecology/Climatology and Plant Science (PhD), he has been employed: (i) at the Dept of Biological Sciences of the Univ. of Cyprus (having held the positions of Assistant Professor-Academic Visitor and Special Scientist for Research & Lecturing), (ii) at the Open Univ. of Cyprus (as Academic Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty Tutor & Master’s Thesis Supervisor of the Environmental Conservation and Management Postgraduate Program), (iii) at the Dept of Life Sciences, European Univ. of Cyprus and (iv) at KES College in Cyprus (as Coordinator of the Environmental Management and of the Organic Products Technicians’ Programs). He has also worked at Academic Institutions in Greece and has Post Doc experience at the Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, ETH-Zurich). He is an expert of the International Science Network MedECC, which supports, inter alia, the UN Environmental Program, and has served as Scientific Consultant for Scientific Documentaries (e.g. Άνυδρη Γη), for the University of Cyprus (Black Gold Strategic Program) on Sustainable Agroforestry and Organic Farming aiming to revitalize the carob industry of Cyprus («Μαύρος Χρυσός») and for the Association of Organic Farmers in Cyprus. He is also an Invited Member of the Editorial Board of Annals of Silvicultural Research.
