From September 8 to 21, 2025, students and lecturers of Sumy National Agrarian University had a unique opportunity to complete an internship at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic.
The program was implemented within the framework of the international project “Collaboration in teaching and research focused on the importance of vegetation for mitigating global climate change in a potentially post-war restored landscape” №25-PKVV-UM-010, supported by the Czech government and the partner Nadace Partnerství.
The internship involved students of the Faculty of Agrotechnology and Environmental Management, majoring in Ecology, Agronomy, Tourism, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Biotechnology, and Horticulture. Not only students, but also lecturers took part: Roman Yaroshchuk, Associate Professor of the Department of Ecology and Botany, Liudmyla Bondarieva, Associate Professor of the Department of Ecology and Botany, and Svitlana Yaroshchuk, Associate Professor of the Department of Breeding and Seed Production.
The program was highly intensive. In the very first days, participants explored the Mendel University campus and botanical garden, joined workshops on modern methods of analyzing sap flow in trees, and took part in field excursions to forest enterprises and natural areas. Each day brought new impressions, contacts and valuable experience in international scientific collaboration.
A special highlight of the visit was the signing of an agreement to submit joint scientific projects. Several universities became partners: Mendel University in Brno, Sumy National Agrarian University, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, the National Forestry University of Ukraine and Chernivtsi National University. This opens new opportunities for advancing science and international projects in the field of sustainable natural resource management and landscape restoration.
Students can also get government scholarships for studying at Mendel University. It motivates students for professional development and active participation in international educational initiatives.
The internship was not only an educational and scientific experience but also a vibrant cultural exchange. Participants enjoyed the beauty of Brno, immersed themselves in Czech culture, and experienced the true spirit of the European academic community.
This project is yet another step toward restoring and strengthening international cooperation among Ukrainian universities. It demonstrates that even in challenging times, education and science remain a bridge uniting countries and people for the sake of the future.
