A high-level delegation from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CULS) visited Arba Minch University’s College of Agricultural Sciences from October 2 to 3, 2025, advancing the institutions’ partnership under the Erasmus+ Program. The two-day visit featured academic lectures, practical sessions, and an intensive student project proposal workshop, activities designed to strengthen agricultural education, enrich research capacity, and deepen international collaboration. Click here to see more photos.
Dr. Degife Assefa, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Arba Minch University (AMU), described the visit as a significant step toward expanding opportunities for collaborative research and skill development. He noted that the CULS experts delivered an impressive series of presentations on key thematic areas that align with the college’s multidisciplinary approach to agricultural development. Dr. Degife also highlighted the active participation of students from Horticulture, Plant Science, Food Science, and Postharvest Technology programs, emphasizing that their engagement reflects the college’s strong commitment to a comprehensive and practice-oriented educational framework.
Dr. Jah Staš, a leading member of the Czech expert team, praised the students’ creativity, commitment, and active engagement throughout the program. He noted that the students presented well-developed ideas despite having only a day to prepare their proposals, offering solutions that were both relevant and promising for future research. Reflecting on the visit’s collaborative nature, he highlighted the broad range of topics covered during the lectures and described the experience as an excellent opportunity for mutual learning and the exchange of ideas that could lead to impactful joint projects. He added that several potential research directions emerged from the discussions and emphasized how rewarding it was to see students immerse themselves fully in practical, hands-on learning. The proposals will be submitted to CULS for review, where they may receive funding and be further refined into actionable projects.
The academic sessions were strongly enriched by field excursions to AMU’s Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conservation Center and the demonstration sites at Kulfo Campus. Led by Dr. Temesgen Dingamo, the tour offered students a dynamic “living laboratory” that integrates the pillars of education, conservation, and research. Dr. Temesgen explained that the sites allow students to directly observe biodiversity in action, sparking new research ideas and helping them understand the practical relevance of their studies. Many students noted that this was their first hands-on encounter with several plant species, an experience that effectively bridged classroom theory with real-world application.
Dr. G.H. Shah from AMU’s Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology noted that the experience not only broadened students’ perspectives but also highlighted AMU’s strengths in agricultural research and biodiversity conservation. He added that such partnerships provide an important opportunity to assess institutional capacities, enhance professional skills, and expand academic horizons. “It’s a bright moment for the college,” he remarked, underscoring the lasting academic and research value of the engagement.
In addition, the Czech team commended AMU’s commitment to ground-based research and value addition in biodiversity conservation. One of the experts noted that they were particularly impressed by Arba Minch University’s focus on education that directly contributes to national development, emphasizing that this shared vision creates strong potential for continued and impactful collaboration in the years ahead.
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