The delegation of Sumy National Agrarian University, which included Yurii DANKO, Vice-Rector for
Research and International Activities, Olena NIFATOVA, Professor of the Department of Marketing and
Logistics, and Kseniia BLUMSKA-DANKO, Associate Professor of the same department, visited Lithuania
from December 11 to 15. The visit was aimed at strengthening the university’s international cooperation
and opened up new opportunities for the implementation of joint projects in the field of science and
education.
One of the key stages of the trip was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the Lithuanian
Social Research Center. This document outlines the main areas of cooperation between the institutions,
including joint research within the framework of the project “Development of Organic Agriculture:
Biodiversity Conservation and Overcoming the Consequences of Ecocide”, which is already being
implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. In addition,
the memorandum envisages cooperation in other relevant areas, such as rural development, agricultural
entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The parties also agreed to organize joint conferences,
seminars, workshops and roundtables, exchange scientific publications, methodologies and analytical
materials, involve graduate students and young scientists in joint research, and submit joint applications
for international grant programs, including Erasmus+.
Sumy scientists held a panel discussion with Lithuanian partners on the project led by Professor Thomas
BALIEGENTIS, on further cooperation and identifying priority areas for joint research. The discussion
helped lay the foundation for new initiatives aimed at developing organic farming and addressing
environmental challenges.
During their stay in Lithuania, the delegation of Sumy National Agrarian University visited a unique
organic farm specializing in sea buckthorn cultivation. The participants got acquainted with the
advanced organic production technologies implemented on the farm and with the mechanisms of state
support for organic farming in Lithuania. Of particular interest was the possibility of applying the
experience gained to the development of organic production in Ukraine, in particular in the context of
current challenges related to environmental safety and sustainable development.
The visit to Lithuania demonstrated the high level of interest of both parties in deepening scientific
cooperation. The signing of the memorandum has become a solid foundation for a long-term
partnership aimed at addressing the pressing issues of the modern agricultural sector, and has opened
up new horizons for joint activities that will promote the development of education, science and
innovation.
