From 13 to 24 April 2026, the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences hosted an international ADVALUE Study Trip for three doctoral students from partner universities in Uganda and Kenya within the Erasmus+ CBHE project ADVALUE. The study trip focused on international knowledge sharing and capacity building in agricultural value chains. The programme combined structured academic activities with field-based learning through excursions to relevant agri-food, production, and research facilities, thereby linking theoretical concepts with real-world practice.
The excursion programme formed a core component of the study trip and provided participants with practical insights into different segments of agricultural and agri-food value chains. These activities included guided visits to CZU campus facilities such as the FTZ Botanical Garden and the Food Pavilion, where participants examined applied research, food processing technologies, and innovation infrastructures. A full-day excursion focused on value chain management exposed participants to the operational aspects of production, processing, and value addition, including a site visit to an agri-industrial facility (Lihovar), where discussions addressed sustainability, efficiency, and market integration.
In addition to excursions, the two-week agenda featured expert lectures, PhD and student research presentations, poster and methodology workshops, and thematic discussions on market access, value chain management, innovation, sustainability, gender equality, and the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture. The programme also included research panel discussions, meeting with external evaluators of the ADVALUE project, and interactions with international partners. By integrating academic training, applied field exposure, and intercultural exchange, the ADVALUE Study Trip supported PhD students, enhanced research quality, and contributed to long-term institutional cooperation and capacity building among European and African partner universities.
