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The International Olive Council (IOC) took part in the closing ceremony of the sixteenth edition of the Master’s degree in Olive Growing and Olive Oil Technology at the University of Córdoba on 25 May, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to capacity building, knowledge transfer and international cooperation across member countries in the olive sector.
For more than three decades, this Master’s programme has brought together universities, research centres, public institutions and international organisations to provide advanced, multidisciplinary training tailored to the evolving needs of the olive sector. Since its launch in 1995, the IOC has supported the programme through technical cooperation and scholarships, contributing to the training of highly qualified professionals from olive-growing countries around the world. More than 70 students have benefited directly from IOC scholarships during this period.
The closing ceremony, held on 25 May 2026 at the University’s Rabanales campus, brought together students, academic staff and representatives of the institutions that jointly support the programme. The IOC was represented by Catarina Bairrao Balula, Head of the Technical Cooperation and Training Department.
In her remarks, she highlighted the strategic importance of investing in education and professional development to ensure the long-term sustainability, competitiveness and innovation capacity of the olive sector. She also underscored the value of institutional partnerships such as this Master’s programme, which foster collaboration between academia, research institutions and sector stakeholders while facilitating the exchange of knowledge across countries and generations.
Organised by the University of Córdoba in cooperation with IFAPA, CSIC, CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Fundación Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero and the IOC, the Master’s degree has established itself as one of the leading international training programmes dedicated to olive growing and olive oil technology. Its combination of scientific excellence, practical training and international participation equips graduates with the skills needed to address current and future challenges facing the sector.
