Representatives from FTZ took part in the ELLS 2025 General Assembly and Forum, held in Sweden from 13–15 November. Colleagues from the International Office and the Study Administration Office attended a variety of lectures and seminars focused on improving services for students, exchanging experiences, and strengthening collaboration across the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) network.
Presentation of the CI4VC Project
One of the highlights of the forum was the presentation of the project “Collaborative Innovation for Sustainable Value Chains: A Case Study Approach (CI4VC)”. Supported by the ELLS network, the project team consists of academic staff from BOKU, CZU, and SLU. Its main goal is to connect students across three universities (horizontally) and across different study programs within each institution (vertically). Together, students develop case studies focused on sustainable value chain analysis in selected East African countries.
The project ensures a transdisciplinary approach by combining courses taught at BOKU (led by Andreas Melcher), CZU (led by Petra Chaloupková and Olga Leuner), and SLU (coordinated by Anna Maňourová). These courses include Plant Protection Biology, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Value Chain Management, Marketing of Tropical Products, Scientific Communication and Impacts (Applied Development Research), and Quality Storage and Processing of Plant Products.
Case Study Countries and Focus
The sustainability of value chains is evaluated from multiple perspectives, ranging from sustainable production and crop improvement to stakeholder identification, consumption patterns, waste management, and final recommendations. The selected case study countries and their focal products are:
- Ethiopia – Coffee
- Kenya – Mango
- Rwanda – Tea
- Somalia – Sorghum
- Uganda – Plantains
- Tanzania – Beans
Project outputs were presented by Petra Chaloupková and Olga Leuner (CZU), Andreas Melcher (BOKU), and Anna Maňourová (SLU). They shared their insights on organizing transdisciplinary activities within their courses. Students also provided feedback on their experiences and created short project videos to showcase their work. (links: ELLS 1.mp4)
ELLS Scientific Student Conference 2025
At the same time, the 17th ELLS Scientific Student Conference took place on 14–15 November in Uppsala, Sweden, under the theme i“Living the ELLSperience – Cultivating Scientific Innovation.” Organized by SLU together with the ELLS network, the conference offered students the opportunity to present their research, broaden their knowledge, and exchange ideas with peers from across Europe. Awards were given for the best poster and oral presentations, and social activities complemented the scientific program.
FTZ was represented by three PhD students—Simona Tomanová, Martin Richter, and Faithful Finney Adubofour—who presented research based on their Master’s thesis topics. Their participation highlighted the strong engagement of FTZ students in international scientific collaboration.
About ELLS
The Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) is a prestigious network of leading universities collaborating in Natural Resource Management, Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Life Sciences, Animal Sciences, Food Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Rural Development, including Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. Through initiatives like the General Assembly, the CI4VC project, and the Scientific Student Conference, ELLS continues to cultivate innovation, foster collaboration, and provide students with unique opportunities to engage in international scientific exchange.
