This degree enables its graduates to become part of a regulated profession, that of an agricultural technical engineer, complying with regulations specified in Order CIN / 323/2009. Regulated professions are those professional activities for which one must have certain prerequisites, generally meaning that one has certain academic degrees (or has passed an aptitude test or an internship period). Currently, such professions are governed by the Royal Decree 1,837 / 2008 and the list includes a wide variety of jobs. For each trade, a different type of qualification is required, either through training cycles or university studies.
Regarding the latter, the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) determined that professional attributions can be acquired in the field with a bachelor's degree (in technical engineering or technical architecture) or with a master's degree (engineering or architecture). After completing the Degree in Agricultural and Food Industries Engineering at CUSA a graduate would be able to, for example, apply for jobs (via competitive examinations or similar channels) reserved for technical engineers, or to sign the projects for which they were qualified.
In 1980, the studies of what was then called Agricultural Technical Engineering began to be taught at Santa Ana University Center. From in the beginning, the Center opted to specialize in the field of agricultural industries (now agricultural and food industries), which at this time is the sector that concentrates the highest demand for employment (see the ANECA White Book for Bachelor's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Forest Engineering). Within this degree, CUSA has always placed special emphasis on viticulture, oenology and elaiotechnics.
Accordingly, the university is located in the heart of Tierra de Barros, an Extremaduran region known for the importance of its wine and olive production.
To see a video on the contribution to agriculture in southern Europe, click here.
In 2009, the Degree in Agricultural and Food Industries Engineering began to be taught as a four-year degree (rather than the three-year program offered in the previous degree in technical engineering), which represents a significant effort on the part of the university to adapt to the requirements of the European Higher Education Area. Santa Ana University Center thus exceeds all the requirements established by the different competent bodies (the University of Extremadura, the Government of Extremadura, ANECA, the Council of Universities, the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, etc.), which endorse the quality of its academic programs and its dedication to the continuity of teaching in agronomy.
Professional expectations
The contribution of agriculture to the development of humanity is indisputable. Agronomic techniques, in particular mechanization and the applications found for certain chemical products, have managed to mitigate (indeed, in many areas eradicate) world hunger. Recently, biotechnological applications, new technologies for georeferencing, water conservation and the optimization of agricultural design have added to the clinical objective of food production in quantity. These advances, alongside other key developments related to food quality, safety, environmental conservation and rural community development, have contributed to improving the lives of many.
The socio-economic environment in our region is extraordinarily conducive to the establishment of productive speculations in the agricultural sector and in the agro-industrial subsector. The contribution of the primary sector to the generation of wealth in the region frequently exceeds 14 percent of the GDP, almost three times that at the national level. This contribution exceeds 20 percent if we take into account the contribution of agribusiness.
The most representative types of production are related to extensive agricultural and livestock systems, industrial horticulture, table fruit growing, viticulture and olive growing. All vegetable and animal productions are transformed to a greater or lesser extent in the region, in particular the canned vegetables, meat, wine and dairy industries. Likewise, specific policies carried out in recent years have fostered rural development and associationism.
Among the reasons indicated by students for choosing this degree, those that dominate include coming from a family active in the sector, so that students of the degree end up constituting a solid base for the future maintenance of a regional demand, a demand which has decreased appreciably in other agronomy schools in Spain.
With regard to job placement for graduates, according to data provided by the UEx Pathfinder Platform, which has been keeping records since May 2004, having qualifications in the agricultural and food industries is among the most demanded by the private sector, ahead even of industrial engineers, industrial technical engineers, surveying engineers, engineers in industrial organization, law graduates, etc.
The objective of the Degree in Agricultural and Food Industry Engineering is based on a need for adequate training in the theoretical bases and in the specific technologies of agricultural and livestock production, appropriately complemented with knowledge to project, develop and manage agricultural companies. At the end of their studies, graduates must have acquired sufficient knowledge to carry out agricultural projects, both in the planning phase and in the commissioning phase; and be able to direct, plan and organize those activities typical of agricultural and livestock farms, both from a technical and commercial point of view, as well from a evaluative perspective, being able to prepare, write or interpret studies, reports, and expert opinions of an agricultural nature.
For students with specific educational needs related to a disability, more information is available here.