In mid-November, representatives of the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences travelled to Southeast Asia to present the faculty’s study programmes and research activities at two major education fairs – first in Cambodia, then in Thailand. The trip to Phnom Penh and Bangkok offered not only the opportunity to meet prospective students, but also to strengthen long-term partnerships, reconnect with alumni, and share expertise in a region where sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection and development remain key priorities.
Cambodia: international dialogue, study opportunities and meeting an alumnus
The programme in Cambodia opened with an introductory meeting at the Delegation of the European Union on 11 November. FTZ representatives had the opportunity to discuss future collaboration with EU officials and European universities, sharing experiences that can further support joint activities in education and research.
The main event followed on 12 November with the Study in Europe Fair 2025, the largest European education fair in Cambodia, held in Phnom Penh. Organised by the EU Delegation together with EU Member States, the fair’s opening ceremony highlighted the importance of education in EU–Cambodia relations. Among the distinguished guests were three key ministers – Education, Technical and Vocational Training and Labour, and Science and Technology.
The morning programme featured expert workshops and panel discussions focusing on research cooperation, Horizon Europe funding opportunities and strengthening links between European and Cambodian universities in technical and scientific fields. The afternoon was dedicated to meeting young people interested in studying in Europe. Interest was high, and the topics central to FTZ – tropical agriculture, sustainable development and natural resource management – resonated strongly in the regional context. The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences was represented by Jan Staš, Simona Tomanová and Lucie Grošaftová.
The day after the fair, representatives of FTZ met with Raksmey Phoeuk, an FTZ alumnus who completed his master’s degree at the faculty and is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Liege. He also works as a lecturer and researcher at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Cambodia, focusing on agri-food system transformation, rural economics and policy design supporting sustainable food production. The meeting took place at Dé Burlap Café – a community-oriented venue founded by an RUA graduate, built on a “farm-to-shop” concept and prominently featuring high-quality Cambodian coffee sourced from the Pida farm in the Mondulkiri region.
Thailand: the country’s largest education fair and alumni networking
The second part of the trip continued in Thailand. Bangkok hosted the OCSC International Education Expo 2025 on 15–16 November – the country’s largest education fair, attracting thousands of students, scholarship holders and university representatives from around the world each year. The 2025 theme, “Step Out to Stand Out”, encouraged young people to expand their horizons and explore opportunities beyond their comfort zone.
The expo offered a diverse programme ranging from workshops and panel discussions to individual consultations. FTZ presented its study programmes and research activities, and together with representatives from Prince of Songkla University introduced the new Double Degree programme “Agricultural Development – International Development and Agricultural Economics”. This joint study model connects the academic and research expertise of both institutions, offering students a unique opportunity to gain specialised knowledge in tropical agriculture. Student enquiries were answered by representatives from Prince of Songkla University –Dr Rungrat Saeyang (Associate Dean for International Affairs and Communications), Asst. Prof. Dr Khwunta Khawmee (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Students Development),Asst. Prof. Dr Kobchai Worrapimpong (Head of the Agricultural Innovation and Management Division) –together with the programme coordinator Assoc. Prof. Ing. Vladimír Verner, Ph.D. and Lucie Grošaftová from FTZ.
The Bangkok programme also included a Czech Alumni Meet Up organised by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Thailand. Held in the creative space Tempered Cooperatives, the event brought together graduates of Czech universities to share their experiences, discuss opportunities for future cooperation and strengthen the alumni network, which has a long-standing tradition in the region.
The trip to Cambodia and Thailand resulted in new contacts, interesting discussions and inspiring meetings with young people exploring study opportunities abroad. It also reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in education and research – particularly in fields that are crucial for the future of tropical and subtropical regions.
The participation in the expo and the development of the Master’s Double Degree programme were supported by the NPO Green Deal project – NPO_CZU_MSMT-2125/2024-4.
