Learning about marine life
Alex Ingerslev Rump grew up in northern Jutland between Skagen and Frederikshavn, and has always been close to the sea, nature, and wildlife. Therefore, it was only natural that he should want to become a fisheries engineer.
On the BEng programme, Alex Ingerslev Rump learns about life in the sea, the marine environment, fishing, food production, and fisheries management. And also about developing solutions that span the overlap between fishing and technology. This will equip him to understand the connection between nature, fishing, business, and legislation.
The fisheries technology degree is divided in such a way that studies take place partly in Greenland and partly in Denmark. In February, the students will move to the DTU campus in Hirtshals in northern Jutland. After that, they do an internship and finally a BEng project.After four years, the graduates will be able to enter the industry as fully qualified fisheries engineers—in Greenland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, or somewhere else in the world. Alex Ingerslev Rump’s dream is to become a researcher:
“I’ve learned a lot during my studies. About how fisheries management works, how the organizations handle fisheries management and fish stocks, and how to minimize oxygen depletion in future. Once I’ve finished my degree, I’d like to investigate fish health—and help to prevent widespread oxygen depletion,” says Alex Ingerslev Rump.
Sought-after fisheries engineers
According to Nina Qvistgaard, Head of Studies on the BEng in Fisheries Technology programme, fisheries engineers are in high demand in industry. This is evident from the interest shown by advisory and research institutions, interest groups, and some of the largest fishing companies in Greenland, where the first students have been doing internships.
“Fisheries engineers are trained to be bridge-builders who know the entire value chain in the fishing industry, and who can see fishing and fisheries from many different perspectives. Therefore, they will be able to find jobs throughout the industry and all over the world— irrespective of whether they want to study the impact of global warming on the marine environment or create a future for small or large fishing communities,” says Nina Qvistgaard.
“However, if you look at Greenland alone, fishing accounts for 98 per cent of export revenues, making it the largest and most important sector in Greenland by far. Therefore, it’s important for Greenland’s future—not just economically, but also in terms of jobs—that we educate fisheries engineers who can help create a sustainable and future-proof fishing industry.”
Right on our doorstep
Back on the boat, the water samples are tipped into large plastic containers as they head back to DTU Sisimiut Campus. According to Alex Ingerslev Rump, the good learning environment on campus helps him to thrive in Greenland. They share the campus with BEng in Arctic Civil Engineering students, with whom trips are often organized that see them hiking, fishing, or going to a cabin or dog sledding in their spare time. Alex Ingerslev Rump also spends time each week looking after and feeding DTU’s sled dogs.
“The learning environment is fantastic. We live in the same hall of residence, and are together almost every day. It’s also quite special being put in charge of the sled dogs. And I benefit academically from being so close to a society where we can see all the effects of our work. I mean, it’s right on our doorstep. And it’s there all the time. So, there’s not much to distinguish between theory and practice.”
