Project coordinator at UniPR: Luca Dellafiora
Blended Intensive Program coordinated by: University Kazimierz Wielki of Bydgoszcz (Poland)
Co-organising Universities:
• University Kazimierz Wielki of Bydgoszcz (Poland; coordinator)
• Egas Moniz School of Health and Science (Portugal)
• Lisbon School of Health and Technology (Portugal)
• Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe; University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Germany)
Program Details:
· Hosting University: University Kazimierz Wielki of Bydgoszcz (Poland)
· In-presence period: from 18th to 22nd May 2026
· Virtual attendance period: 8th May 2026 (one day, online) and 11th June 2026 (one day, online)
· Language of instruction: English
· Awarded ECTS credits: 3
· Number of places available: (for each University) four
· Admission conditions: Students must be regularly enrolled at one of the participating universities. Applicants can be enrolled in a Master's or PhD level degree. At the time of the application submission, applicants must demonstrate proof of English language competence at the B2 level (CEFR). This can be certified by Language Placement Test (LPT), curricular linguistic suitability required by the study plan (certified by the self-certification of enrolment with exams taken), certificate of language level from one of the extracurricular language courses provided by the Language Centre of the University of Parma; see application procedures below). Participation in this program is open to students regularly enrolled in the following degree courses:
· MSc in Human Nutrition Sciences
· MSc in Food Science and Technology
· MSc in Food Safety and Food Risk Management
· PhD Course in Food Science
· Call for applications: 3rd Febraury, 2026
· Application deadline: February 23rd, 2026
Program description:
The course consists of 7 days, of which the mobility includes 5 days. The course starts on May 8, 2026 (one day, online) with a face-to-face period from May 18 to 22, 2026 and ends on June 11, 2026 (one day, online).
Breast milk is considered the gold standard of infant nutrition due to its unique nutritional and bioactive components. The aim of the course will be to increase awareness and knowledge about the valuable ingredients contained in breast milk. On the other hand, nutrition at an early stage of life can be associated with threats such as the presence of various types of contaminants. Exposure of the mother to mycotoxins - toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain species of molds - can result in their transfer to breast milk. Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze the impact of the mother's diet on the health of her child. This course is key to understanding the benefits of breastfeeding and the impact of food on the health status of children in the early period of life. During the on-site stay, participants will become familiar with various types of studies including microbiology and research on the composition of human milk in terms of macronutrients and presence of mycotoxins. Participants will take part in a study visit to the regional human milk bank in Toruń.
On the opening day, participants will take part in an online meeting that will allow them to meet the teaching staff and be introduced to the basic concepts of the course. During online meetings, participants will receive knowledge about human milk and the effects of contaminants on human health. During the face-to-face period, each day will include two parts: 1) lectures, problem analysis, and introduction to specific topics; 2) practical activities. The closing (virtual) session will involve a debriefing meeting where participants will present and discuss the assigned projects.
The language of teaching is English.