The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague once again invited students and staff to share their experiences from around the world through the FTZ photo challenge “On the Road to Knowledge”.
Following the success of last year’s edition, the challenge ran from November 2025 to April 2026 and welcomed photographs from internships, field research, conferences, summer and winter schools, and other study- or research-related journeys.
Participants were invited to submit one to three original photographs accompanied by a short description of the location, activity, and context. The result is a diverse collection of images capturing not only landscapes and wildlife, but also the realities of fieldwork, local communities, and international experiences connected to science and education.
The selected photographs take us from the Gobi Desert in Mongolia to Ethiopia’s Sidama region and even to a municipal zoo in Brazil.
Mongolia Through the Lens of Martina Sihelská
One of the selected contributions comes from Martina Sihelská, whose photographs were taken during field research in the Gobi region of Mongolia. Her work focused on the behavioural ecology of the critically endangered wild camel.
Beyond the research itself, the photographs document the daily lives of local communities and their close relationship with the surrounding landscape. As Martina explains, the Gobi is far more than an endless desert – it is a dynamic and complex ecosystem where camels still play a vital role in transport and livelihoods. At the same time, the images highlight current environmental challenges, including the growing pressure of cashmere goat populations on the fragile ecological balance of the region.
Research on Przewalski’s Horses in Hustai National Park
Another featured photograph was submitted by Lucie Mojžíšková and captures Przewalski’s horses from the reintroduced wild population in Hustai National Park in Mongolia.
The image was taken in February 2026 during field research focused on how the horses adapt to harsh winter conditions, particularly hydration through snow consumption.
Ethiopia Through the Eyes of an FTZ PhD Student
The challenge also featured photographs submitted by Tewodros Tarekegn Lapiso from the BioResources and Technology (BRT) Division, a PhD student at FTZ.
His images were taken during a data-collection trip in the Sidama National Regional State in Ethiopia and provide an authentic insight into field research activities and international scientific collaboration connected to FTZ.
Internship Experience from a Brazilian Zoo
Among the selected entries were also photographs by Lucas Monteiro, taken during his internship at the municipal zoo in Bauru, Brazil. His series includes a capuchin monkey, a llama, and an anu-white bird which, as Lucas humorously describes, initially attacked him while he was cleaning its enclosure before eventually accepting his presence.
The photographs offer a glimpse into everyday work with animals and the practical experiences students gain during international internships.
Laos: Field Research on Plastic Waste
The photo challenge also features photographs by Jan Staš documenting a field mission in Laos focused on single-use plastics and waste management. The images were taken during a two-week research mission in the provinces of Savannakhet and Thakhek, where a team from the BioResources and Technology (BRT) Division launched baseline data collection for a study on plastic waste management in local communities.
The mission combined scientific research with practical cooperation involving local universities, NGOs, and community partners. The photographs capture not only field data collection and the training of local students and enumerators, but also the everyday realities of communities facing rapidly increasing plastic waste and limited waste-management infrastructure.
The images highlight the importance of connecting science, field research, and local knowledge in the search for sustainable environmental solutions in the Global South.
From the Heart of Colombia to Northern Europe
Another inspiring contribution comes in the form of a personal reflection by student Paula Andrea Castro Martinez, who documented her journey from Colombia to the ELLS Scientific Student Conference 2025 in Uppsala, Sweden. In her story, she reflects on how studying at CZU Prague and the support of the university enabled her to participate in an international gathering of students and young researchers from across Europe.
Both the text and accompanying photograph capture not only the experience of travelling farther north than ever before, but also a moment of personal and professional transformation. Paula describes how international experiences, scientific collaboration, and encounters with people from different cultures can broaden perspectives and open entirely new opportunities.
Her contribution serves as a reminder that studying and conducting research at FTZ is not only about academic achievements, but also about discovering the world, overcoming boundaries, and turning dreams into reality.
FTZ as a Faculty of International Experience
This year’s photo challenge once again demonstrated the diversity of journeys undertaken by FTZ students and staff around the world. Each photograph tells a unique story connected to research, education, conservation, or international cooperation.
We thank all participants for sharing their inspiring experiences and perspectives from their journeys on the road to knowledge.
