Sumy National Agrarian University continues to strengthen its strategic partnership with one of Ukraine’s leading agribusiness companies, KERNEL. This long-standing collaboration has become an example of the effective combination of theory and practice, education and business, and has opened up real opportunities for professional development for SNAU students.
On November 6, the university hosted a meeting between graduating students and representatives of Kernel. Today, dozens of SNAU graduates already work in the holding’s divisions, hold key positions, introduce innovations in agricultural production, and prove that a quality education is the best start to a career.
The partnership between Sumy National Agrarian University and Kernel Agricultural Holding has deep roots. Back in 2014, the parties launched a joint educational project as part of the “Kernel Chance” initiative, which included a range of activities for students and teachers. Since then, the cooperation has developed in the form of practice-oriented training for specialists: selected students study in accordance with the company’s standards, undergo practical training at its production sites, and have the opportunity for further employment. As noted by representatives of Kernel, SNAU was not chosen by chance — the university is known for its high level of student training, openness to innovation, and readiness for change.
The meeting was attended by students enrolled in the educational and professional programs “Agricultural Engineering,” Agronomy, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Electrical Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electromechanics, and Food Technology — the very specialties that form the core of modern agribusiness today.
The event was moderated by Olena Zahaievska, an agribusiness knowledge management specialist at KERNEL. She presented career development opportunities, internships, and dual education to students, and also talked about Open Agritech University, a large-scale educational initiative of the company that lasts nine months and includes offline training with mentors, online courses, and paid internships. This is a real chance for young professionals to gain not only knowledge but also invaluable practical experience in the country’s most powerful agricultural holding.
The success stories of the program’s graduates were a highlight of the meeting. Ivan Holovetskyi shared his career path, and Valentyn Melnyk, a current student at SNAU who already works as a field agronomist at KERNEL, gave an inspiring talk to the students. He talked about how his university education helped him get a confident start in his profession, combine his studies with work, and become part of a large team even before receiving his diploma.
At the end of the meeting, Ms. Olena held an interactive quiz. The most active students, who demonstrated in-depth knowledge in the field of agribusiness, received gifts from KERNEL as a symbol of openness, partnership, and support for young people.
The event took place in a dynamic, inspiring atmosphere, becoming another step towards the development of dual education, joint innovative educational projects, and the training of a new generation of specialists who will shape the future of agricultural Ukraine.
