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The first edition has trained 25 veterinary professionals from across Spain in bovine health, animal welfare and the sustainability of cattle production.
The initiative reflects HIPRA and the University of Lleida's commitment to providing veterinary professionals with up-to-date, specialised training.
20 october 2026 – The University of Lleida (UdL) and HIPRA have successfully completed the first edition of the Master's Degree in Bovine Health, Animal Welfare and Sustainability of Cattle Production, a joint educational initiative designed to equip veterinary professionals with up-todate knowledge and practical skills to address the current challenges facing the cattle industry.
A total of 25 veterinarians from across Spain have participated in this first edition, which has combined the UdL's academic expertise with the practical experience of professionals directly involved in veterinary practice and livestock production.
Feedback on this first edition has been highly positive, both in terms of the participation and commitment of the enrolled professionals and the expertise of the specialists involved, as well as the combination of theoretical and practical content. The programme's positive reception reinforces the commitment of the UdL and HIPRA to continuing education and specialised training for professionals in the sector.
Continuing education and specialisation for veterinarians
The collaboration agreement between HIPRA and the UdL extends beyond a single qualification. It was established with the aim of offering a range of postgraduate training programmes to promote continuing education and specialisation among veterinarians working in both beef and dairy cattle production.
The master's programme has been academically coordinated by Dr Ramon Armengol, a lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at the UdL, where he teaches and coordinates courses in Ruminant Clinical Practice and Health, and Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, as part of the Double Degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and Production. His research focuses primarily on improving animal health. Armengol has more than 25 years of experience in veterinary clinical practice and ruminant reproduction. Meanwhile, the corporate leadership and management of the project have been overseen by Dr Iván Mato, who holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and is a member of HIPRA's Ruminant Technical Services team.
Alongside them, leading professionals from various fields have contributed to the programme, including university lecturers, researchers, diagnostic laboratory specialists and veterinarians from different HIPRA departments, ranging from R&D to Technical Services.
Armengol and Mato emphasise that "this first edition has confirmed both the interest in and the need for highly specialised training that is closely connected to the day-to-day realities of field veterinarians. The commitment shown by participants and the exchange of experiences between professionals, lecturers and specialists have been particularly enriching."
They also point out that "the livestock industry and the veterinary profession are undergoing significant changes driven by evolving societal and consumer expectations. Specialisation in animal health, welfare and sustainability enables veterinarians to provide better professional services and helps farms become more efficient, profitable and better adapted to emerging needs."
Mato adds that "collaboration with field veterinarians is an essential part of HIPRA's work. The company has a long-standing commitment to providing professional support services, including laboratory diagnostics and statistical analysis of production data."
Flexible training closely aligned with industry needs
The master's programme has been delivered through a modular structure, designed to facilitate participation by practising professionals and provide greater academic flexibility.
Throughout the programme, participants have explored different aspects of bovine health, animal welfare and sustainability, combining online theoretical sessions with practical training and a project focused on real-world cattle production.
Online classes, delivered through the UdL's learning platform, have been complemented by inperson practical sessions, allowing participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge to reallife field situations.
The practical sessions have taken place at various locations across Spain, exposing participants to the different realities of both dairy and beef cattle production. Most participants are practising professionals from different regions of the country who work with dairy farms, suckler cow herds and calf fattening operations.
These sessions have also encouraged the exchange of knowledge and experiences among professionals from diverse backgrounds and working environments, strengthening collaborative learning and helping to build professional connections.
A second edition to ensure the programme's continuity
Following the success of the first cohort, the University of Lleida and HIPRA are already working towards launching a second edition of the master's programme, which is expected to begin early next year.
The positive response to the programme and the experience gained during its first edition will provide a solid foundation for further consolidating an educational initiative designed to address the real needs of veterinary professionals and support the ongoing development of the cattle industry.
"The outcome of this first edition has been extremely positive and encourages us to keep moving forward. We want this master's programme to become an established platform for training, professional development and knowledge exchange among veterinarians working in the cattle industry. That is why we intend to launch a second edition early next year," conclude Armengol and Mato.