The collaboration between Sumy National Agrarian University and European research centres is reaching a new technological level. As part of the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility programme, SNAU researchers have undertaken an international internship at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Uppsala) – one of the world’s leading institutions in agricultural rankings.
The experience of their Swedish colleagues was shared with the following PhD holders: Oleksandr Mykhalko – Associate Professor at the Department of Feed Technology and Animal Nutrition; Yevheniia Dudnyk – Lecturer at the Department of Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection, Microbiology, Hygiene and Pathological Anatomy.
The work carried out at the Department of Molecular Sciences focused on deepening professional competencies in the field of modern analytical technologies. This concerns methodologies that define global feed quality standards and are used in high-tech biotechnological research in animal husbandry.
Modern standards in laboratory research
The programme covered the entire research cycle – from sample preparation to final conclusions. This enabled researchers of SNAU not only to observe the processes, but also to master them directly:
• High-precision sample preparation the latest methods for working with biomaterial, which are critical for obtaining the most reliable results.
• Working with state-of-the-art equipment a detailed understanding of the principles of operation of modern laboratory systems, which serve as the benchmark in leading global scientific centres.
• Intelligent data analytics – modern approaches to processing and interpreting research results, enabling the transformation of figures into well-founded scientific conclusions.
‘Agricultural science today is all about working at the molecular level and mastering intellectual tools. Our internship in Uppsala allowed us to immerse ourselves fully in the European innovation ecosystem. We have mastered techniques that enable us to break down complex biological processes – from the specifics of sample preparation to in-depth analysis of results. Our strategic goal is to integrate this experience into SNAU so that our students can work to global standards of quality and food safety from tomorrow,” notes Oleksandr Mykhalko.
Strategic Impact on the Development of SNAU
The expertise acquired by researchers forms the foundation for qualitative changes in the university’s activities:
• Modernisation of the educational process: the integration of modern analytical methods into academic disciplines will enable the university to produce graduates who are ready to work in the global market.
• Scaling up research: the experience gained expands SNAU capacity to conduct applied research and introduce innovations into production.
• International partnership: the implementation of the programme strengthens long-term ties between higher education institutions and opens up new prospects for academic mobility.
SNAU continues to move towards global scientific integration, introducing best international practices into Ukrainian education and science.
