ABG Connection Days 2024

The aim of the ABG Connection Days is to share knowledge, to connect and reconnect and share experience with alumni and colleagues. Therefore, the main theme of the ABG Connection Days 2024 is “Connect & Reconnect” and each day will have a specific sub-theme.

The theme of the first day is 'Animals of the Future', with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biodiversity and Climate Change. The theme of the second day is ‘Breeding all over the world', and this day will focus on the role of different ABG alumni working all over the world.

Programme

Thursday 17 October

13.00-14.00	Walk-in with lunch buffet
14.00-14.30	Welcome and getting to know each other by Esther Ellen
14.30-15.20	Artificial Intelligence in animal breeding: introduction by Claudia Kamphuis Presentations* by Marjaneh Taghavi, Torsten Pook, Henk Bovenhuis, Yuuko Xue John Bastiaansen
15.20-15.35	Discussion
15.35-16.00	Break
16.00-17.45	Biodiversity and climate change: introduction by Sipke Joost Hiemstra Presentations by Richard Crooijmans, Mira Schoon, Rensco Hogers, Marije Steensma, Gibbs Kuguru, Malou van der Sluis, Jeremie Vandeplas, Anouk van Breukelen
17.45-18.00	Discussion
18.00-18.30	End official programme day 1
19.00	Dinner

* For more detailed information see tab ' Speakers and Topics'

Friday 18 October

08.00-09.00	Breakfast
09.00-09.15	Start official programme day 2 and welcome by Mario Calus
09.15-10.45	ABG alumni working all over the world Presentations* by Tessa Tichelaar-Brinker, Hamed Rashidi, Benan Gulzari (Rijk Zwaan), Maria Siwek-Gapínska (Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology), Naomi Duivensteijn (Hendrix Genetics), Biaty Raymond (Limagrain), Andreia de Jesus Amaral (University of Évora), Jaap Veldhuisen (CRV), Siyuan Xing (MolBreeding Biotechnology Co., Ltd), Nonja Remijn (SZH - Stichting Zeldzame Huisdierrassen)
10.45-11.15	Break
11.15-12.15	Round table discussions on societal acceptance of animal breeding, the breeding sector and education, plant and animal breeding
12.15-12.45	Summary and discussion
12.45-14.00	Lunch
14.00	End official programme day 2

* For more detailed information see tab 'Speakers and Topics'

Call for speakers: share your expertise

It’s still possible to contribute by giving a short pitch on a topic related to one of the themes that you are skilled at and passionate about. If you would like to contribute, please send an email to office.abg@wur.nl and make sure to include the title of your pitch.

Programme updates

We will keep you up to date on the programme through our programme page: https://event.wur.nl/abgconnectiondays_2024/wiki/1099015/programme. You can also follow our LinkedIn-page for regular updates about the programme and the speakers.