The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU Prague) recently welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), Cambodia. The visit took place within the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme and provided another opportunity to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two universities.
The delegation was led by Prof. Bunthan Ngo, Rector of the Royal University of Agriculture, and Dr Sok Kimchhin, an agro-socio economist and Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (AERD). The programme focused on further developing cooperation in education, research and international academic mobility.
The visit was coordinated by Dr Petra Chaloupková, Vice-Dean for International Relations at FTZ, with support from Simona Tomanová and Zora Fídlerová of the International Relations Office. Ing. Miloslav Petrtýl, Ph.D., and Ing. Olga Leuner, Ph.D., also accompanied and supported the delegation throughout its stay. Both are actively involved in joint projects between the two institutions, contributing to the ongoing development of their academic and research cooperation.
Cooperation between CZU Prague and the Royal University of Agriculture has grown into one of FTZ's long-standing international partnerships. Under the leadership of Dr Petra Chaloupková, the two universities have jointly implemented four EU-funded projects and eight development cooperation projects. These initiatives have created lasting opportunities for student and staff mobility, collaborative research and institutional capacity building.
An important part of the visit involved reviewing progress and planning upcoming activities within two ongoing joint projects, AgriConnect and SmartAgriCambodia. Both initiatives focus on strengthening agricultural education, promoting innovation and supporting sustainable rural development in Cambodia.
Building cooperation at both strategic and academic levels
The Cambodian delegation met with Prof. Michal Lošťák, Rector of CZU Prague, to discuss future opportunities for collaboration in education, research and academic mobility. Further meetings with Assoc. Prof. Hynek Roubík, Dean of FTZ, and Prof. Jan Banout, Vice-Rector for Development, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership and the shared interest in expanding cooperation between the two universities.
During his stay at FTZ, Dr Sok Kimchhin delivered lectures to bachelor's and master's students. Bachelor's students learned from his extensive experience in project management and international development cooperation, while master's students gained valuable insights into marketing and value chains for tropical agricultural products, with a particular focus on agricultural markets in Southeast Asia.
The delegation also participated in the MCYR Conference, which brought together international researchers, students and development practitioners. The event provided a platform for exchanging experiences, discussing current challenges and exploring opportunities for future joint research and educational initiatives.
Exploring CZU Prague's facilities and connecting with the Cambodian community
Alongside the academic programme, the guests had the opportunity to discover some of CZU Prague's facilities. They visited the Food Pavilion to learn more about the university's activities in food production, processing and innovation. The programme also included a visit to the CZU Botanical Garden, where the delegation explored the popular chilli pepper exhibition featuring varieties from around the world.
Outside the university, the Cambodian guests met members of the Cambodian community in the Czech Republic, including current Cambodian students and CZU alumni. These meetings offered an opportunity to share personal experiences, strengthen alumni connections and encourage further educational cooperation between the Czech Republic and Cambodia.
The visit reaffirmed the strength of the partnership between CZU Prague and the Royal University of Agriculture. Built on long-standing institutional ties, joint projects and the active involvement of academic experts, the cooperation continues to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, research and capacity building, benefiting students, staff and the wider academic community.
