Abstract:

This educational innovation project represents a strategic cross-border collaboration between the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (Spain) and the University of the Republic (Uruguay). It integrates final-year students from Agri-food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine to foster a comprehensive global perspective on livestock management. The main objective of the project was to enable the students to benefit from an international experience without the need for travel. The specific objectives were to establish a collaborative working platform involving faculty and students from a foreign university, and to enhance the students' intercultural competence.

The project comprised three structured phases involving 14 students (7 from each institution). Phase 1 established a theoretical foundation via a virtual seminar on swine feed assessment and productivity metrics. Phase 2 involved a collaborative workshop where cross-institutional groups analysed case studies regarding the effect of different diets on pork quality. In Phase 3, the students were required to complete an activity over the course of a week, working in mixed groups comprising Spanish and Uruguayan students. The teams utilized Swine Activity Monitoring System (SAP), a swine management software to process animal batch parameters, analyse production data, and formulate management decisions, culminating in a joint technical report and a recorded video presentation. The impact was evaluated via a 5-point Likert-scale quality questionnaire.

Results showed a 100% completion rate, with all students attaining a mark of 9/10 or higher for their reports. Feedback was highly positive: 85% of participants agreed that the competencies acquired were directly applicable to their professional careers, and most reported high overall satisfaction. However, the development of intercultural competencies was rated as "moderate". This perception was significantly influenced by the cohort's profile; nearly half were already international or Erasmus students.

In conclusion, the project demonstrated high engagement and confirmed that virtual collaboration is an effective tool for teaching complex agricultural systems. Future iterations should focus on scaling the initiative and specifically targeting students without prior mobility to maximize the benefits of internationalisation at home.

Acknowledgement:
This project was carried out with funding from the PRODIC-UMH 2024-2025 grant, awarded by the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalisation and Cooperation of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche.

Keywords:

Internationalization at home, Virtual Collaboration, Animal Production.