The “Improving Farmed Fish Welfare in Asia” project is supporting two students to undertake a taught MSc programme at the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling. They arrived in September and share their first impressions here:
Arnan Hirunratanakorn at the Wallace Monument in Stirling
Arnan Hirunratanakorn (Hon) from Thailand is studying MSc Sustainable Aquaculture
“What I like about Stirling is that it is a small city and not very crowded. The area is perfect for me, who enjoys walking. It rains often, but on the plus side, I get to watch the rainbow. The environment around the city is calm and peaceful. There are several tourist attractions with stunning views.
I'm an MSc Sustainable Aquaculture student. Although I have yet to gain any prior understanding of aquaculture, the course's foundation modules allow me to understand the subject before moving on to the more advanced modules. The teachers are amiable and willing to assist in any way. Every class is recorded, so I can review it in my leisure time to ensure I understand everything. The environment at the university is excellent. There is a sports club and a lot of green space.”
Nghĩa Đỗ Trọng Phan at the Kelpies in Falkirk
Nghĩa Đỗ Trọng Phan (Nghia) is from Vietnam and is studying MSc Aquatic Pathobiology
“Hi everyone, I am Nghia Phan, 23, an MSc Aquatic Pathobiology student from Vietnam. Together with Arnan, we have received the studentship for aquatic animal welfare, funded by Open Philanthropy and the Institue of Aquaculture - University of Stirling. After over a month in Stirling, Scotland, I like the weather here; it is colder, has much more greenery, and the city lifestyle is much calmer compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In our free time before school, we have discovered some famous tourist attractions in Stirling and nearby cities, such as the Wallace Monument, the Kelpies, and the city of Glasgow.
From the first impression of studying at the Institute, I can assure that the professor and staff here are some of the best I have ever met. They have the passion and know how to deliver it to be as easy to understand as possible. Moreover, they also give us the impression that they want to be a friend with students, things that I have never seen in the educational system that I have experienced before.
I also love the campus of the university. It is just a short distance from the city centre and can be reached by bus or walk to school. The first time I was there, I thought, "Wow, this campus is huge". It has some state-of-the-art technology that is needed for teaching and studying, yet also lots of green space and a loch for students to relax after and before class. What I like most about the campus is the range of books it holds in the library; I could easily find books I needed for my assignment.
That was my first impression of the city and the University of Stirling. I hope that after 1 year of studying here, I can gain enough knowledge to either join higher education or go back to my country and improve the current status of fish welfare.”