UPCT promotes the 2nd University Microcredential in post-harvest technology and minimal fruit and vegetable processing

The Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) will launch on May 1, 2026 the 2nd University Microcredential in Postharvest Technology and Minimal Processing of Fruit and Vegetables , a specialized training aimed at professionals, research staff, university professors and students linked to the fruit and vegetable sector.

The initiative, organized by Francisco Artés Hernández , from the Postharvest and Refrigeration Group , will be developed in a semi-presential format, although all the content can be followed online and at the pace of each participant through the UPCT Virtual Classroom .

The microcredit program is led by Professor Francisco Artés Hernández , Chair of the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering (ETSIA), and Dr. Perla Gómez Di Marco , from the Institute of Plant Biotechnology (IBV) . The program will cover aspects related to the handling, processing, transport, and marketing of whole and minimally processed (IV and V range) fruits and vegetables.

The training will include the participation of 39 specialists from 7 countries , from 25 universities, research centers and companies in the sector , which reinforces its practical and international orientation.

A flexible program with theoretical and practical content

The total duration of the course will be 45 hours , distributed in 27 hours of recorded theoretical lectures , 8 hours of face-to-face technical visits to companies in the sector , 7 hours of practical demonstration workshops and 3 hours of tutorials, round tables and conclusions .

The optional in-person activities will take place on May 27 and 28, 2026, in Cartagena. In addition, the workshops will be recorded and made available to students, along with supplementary materials, presentations, and demonstration videos.

The course design allows you to progress through learning units using multiple-choice quizzes and participate in group tutorials via streaming and personalized sessions with specialists from academia and industry.

Consolidated training and official diploma

This will be the second edition of the micro-credential, a proposal that takes as its basis a previous trajectory of 20 training editions on this subject at the UPCT, with more than 1,400 participants from dozens of countries .

Upon completion, those who pass the training will receive an Official University Microcredential Diploma issued by the Polytechnic University of Cartagena .

Furthermore, the organization points out that the training may be subsidized for Spanish companies through FUNDAE and that scholarships will be offered for participants from developing countries .

Those interested can consult the preliminary program and complete information on registration, participation options and fees on the page set up by the organization.