Improving the industry of aquaculture
John Kinyage owns a company in Tanzania which offers technologies and services to aquaculture. Beside of that, he is a part of DTU Aqua’s research contributing with improvements to technologies in aquaculture. He has also achieved two publications.
What do you do at Aquacom Limited and at DTU Aqua?
Three years ago, I started the company Aquacom Limited in Tanzania with some colleagues. We use our knowledge to change the industry of aquaculture by offering new technologies. We want to advance technology on viable project design and sustainable investment planning. For example, we provide products as recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for small-scale projects as well as playing key roles in commercial aquaculture investments in Tanzania. Our vision is to stimulate growth productivity and competitiveness for the aqua-business in Tanzania and Africa.
At DTU Aqua, I am in charge of the operation on the project as a Scientific Assistant. I am preparing, analyzing, and organizing the research on a biofilter project. For 8 months, I have worked together with senior researchers. We have been undertaking a standardized nitrification rate performance test on biofilter media from leading providers of aquaculture technology in Denmark in collaboration with Danish Aquaculture Association.
Why did you choose to study this MSc Programme?
I researched a lot about the courses before I chose to study at Aquatic Science and Technology. I found out that Aquatic Science and Technology was the perfect match for me based on my background and future goals with aquaculture.
I am from Tanzania and got the opportunity to study in Denmark because of Danida. I was offered several scholarships in different countries, but I chose Danida and to study at DTU. Danida has a program, Building Stronger Universities (BSU), where Danish and African universities through collaboration build capacity in education, research, and administration. One of the activities in an early phase was to provide MSc Scholarships in Denmark for African students. Without this program from Danida, it would be too expensive for me to study at DTU.
What did you like about Aquatic Science and Technology?
From a social perspective, I like that the programme is very international. There were students from Denmark as well as from many other countries.
Academically, I like that we worked with the main and advancing technologies from the industry such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), marine aquaculture, aquaculture nutrition, and fish feeds. It was amazing and made it easier for us graduates to work with companies in the industry.
What qualifications did you get from Aquatic Science and Technology that you value today?
Many of the things I am doing today are related to what I have learned from Aquatic Science and Technology. For example at my job in Denmark, I use my knowledge from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), advanced system design in RAS, fish nutrition, and the hands-on experience from my thesis. Everything is something I learned from Aquatic Science and Technology. The programme prepared me to align with advancing technologies in the aquaculture industry.
In Tanzania, we build and sell products and services to the industry of aquaculture. For instance, I have developed templates based on my knowledge from Aquatic Science and Technology. The templates help us with dimensioning, design and system production, and service provision, which make it easier to perform practically.
What advice would you give students at Aquatic Science and Technology?
It is important to set some goals for your future. If you know, what you want to work with, it will become easier to choose the necessary courses, which you need for the path to your goals.
You should also try as much as possible. Get as many skills as you can both at Aquatic Science and Technology and beyond. Talk with people in the industry related to your area of interest. Building up a network will make it easier to get in touch with people in the industry.
Finally, you must be open to learn even more after you graduate. It can be challenging to transform your knowledge into reality. Therefore, do your best, work hard, and be open to learn and collaborate with people having different skills to improve your own tasks.
Job title: CEO and Scientific Assistant
MSc in Aquatic Science and Technology (DTU, 2015)
Thesis: The effect of Temperature on Biofilter Nitrification Performance in Recirculating Aquaculture System