On September 10, 2024, the online welcome course "Multicultural Environment and Study in the Czech Republic" was held, organized by the International Relations Office and Student Ambassadors team at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTA). The course provided new international students with practical advice on living and studying in the Czech Republic, introduced them to cultural differences, and offered opportunities to connect with fellow students and faculty members.

The course was opened by Vice-Dean Petra Chaloupková, who warmly welcomed all new students and emphasized the importance of supporting a multicultural environment at FTA. The Student Ambassadors shared helpful tips on how to manage the first steps in the Czech Republic, from housing and studying to everyday life.

Students seeking further guidance or support can reach out to the Student Ambassadors through link - https://www.ftz.czu.cz/en/r-9423-projects-and-partnerships/r-20403-associations-at-fta/r-20408-student-ambassadors/the-international-student-centre-fta.html.

Who are the Student Ambassadors? The Student Ambassadors are a group of current FTA students dedicated to assisting newcomers and fostering a friendly, welcoming atmosphere within the faculty. They organize various events and activities aimed at helping new students integrate and enhancing the faculty's community spirit.

Are you interested in joining the team or need advice?

Contact us at student_ambassadors@ftz.czu.cz.

Application Deadline: 30 September 2024! The Government of the Czech Republic is proud to announce the opening of applications for its prestigious Government Scholarships program, dedicated to students from developing countries. These scholarships are part of the Czech Republic’s long-standing commitment to fostering educational opportunities and development in select nations. With a rich history dating back to the late 1950s, over 20,000 foreign nationals have benefited from this program, gaining high-quality education at Czech public institutions of higher learning.

Application Deadline: 30 September 2024

Prospective students who wish to begin their studies in the academic year 2025/2026 must submit their electronic applications no later than 30 September 2024. This deadline is critical, so applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications well in advance.

Eligible Countries and Programmes

The Government Scholarships are offered to students from the following countries:

- Bosnia and Herzegovina

- Cambodia

- Ethiopia

- Georgia

- Moldova

- Ukraine

- Zambia

- Belarus (democratic forces)

These scholarships are available for two types of study programs:

1. Czech-medium Follow-up Master’s Programs: These include a one-year preparatory course in the Czech language and field-specific training. This option is for Bachelor’s degree graduates who wish to continue their studies in the Czech language. Admission typically requires passing entrance examinations at the selected university.

2. English-medium Master’s or Doctoral Programs: These scholarships are for students who have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and wish to study in English.

What the Scholarship Covers

The Government Scholarships are comprehensive and designed to cover the standard duration of study. They provide:

- Full tuition fees at Czech public universities

- A preparatory Czech language course (for those enrolled in Czech-medium programs)

- Monthly stipends to cover living expenses

- Accommodation in student dormitories

- Health insurance

How to Apply

To apply, interested candidates must:

1. Complete the online application form by 30 September 2024.
2. Review the guidelines provided in both Czech and English to ensure all eligibility criteria are met.
3. Prepare for entrance exams if required by the selected study program.

For detailed instructions, applicants should refer to the official "Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic," available in both Czech and English.

For further information, applicants can contact the support team at registr@dzs.cz if they have additional queries.

Prospective applicants should also familiarize themselves with the Czech Ministry of Education's data protection policies, in compliance with EU GDPR regulations.

Conclusion

This is an exceptional opportunity for students from developing countries to pursue higher education in the Czech Republic. The Government Scholarships not only provide financial support but also open doors to world-class academic programs, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

For more details, visit the official website of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic: https://msmt.gov.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries?lang=2.

The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences of the Czech University of Agriculture will host the prestigious international conference The Society for Ethnobotany (SEB) Annual Meeting in June 2025. This meeting, which each year attracts experts from around the world, provides a unique opportunity to share scientific knowledge and discuss key issues such as sustainable use of plants for food, medicine,... , plant biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change.

What is ethnobotany?

Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between people and the plants they use for disease treatment, food self-sufficiency or as part of their cultural and religious practices. This multidisciplinary field encompasses botany, ecology, anthropology and history amongst others, and is fundamental to understanding how different cultures around the world use plants for their needs.

Ethnobotany plays a key role in sustainability because it allows us to understand traditional ways of managing natural resources, which often prove to be effective and environmentally friendly. Research in this field can provide crucial insights in and for addressing current global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security and livelihood improvement.

Society for Ethnobotany (SEB)

The Society for Ethnobotany is the leading international organisation dedicated to research and promotion of ethnobotany. The Society was founded in 1959 and has since become an important forum for scientists working on the relationships between plants, cultures and the environment. In June 2023, it changed its name from the original "Society for Economic Botany" to its current name to better reflect the scope of its work.

SEB conferences are held annually and serve as a platform for sharing the latest research and discussions on sustainable use of natural resources, conservation of ecosystems and adaptation to global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The 2025 meeting in Prague will attract experts from around the world and provide a platform for international collaboration in these key areas.

Prague as a centre for scientific dialogue on ethnobotany

"We are very proud to host such a prestigious conference that brings together scientific capacities and ethnobotany experts from all over the world," said Patrick Van Damme, Dean of the Faculty of Tropical Agriculture. "This event is not only an opportunity to strengthen international collaboration, but also a chance for our students and scientists to engage in current global research on sustainable development and natural resource conservation."

Prof. dr. ir. Patrick Van Damme, who has led the faculty since 2021, is one of the leading experts in tropical agriculture and ethnobotany. His scientific career began at Ghent University, where he began to work intensively on the sustainable use of plants in tropical and subtropical areas during his studies.

Among his most important projects is his work on the Great Green Wall initiative, which aims to create a forested barrier in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 to prevent the expansion of the Sahara desert. Van Damme has worked for many years in ethnobotanical research in countries such as Namibia, Senegal, Togo and Ecuador, just to name a few.

A rich supporting programme and cultural excursions

The conference will include excursions that will introduce participants not only to the beauty of Prague and its rich history, but also to Czech culture, products and traditions. The planned excursions will  aim at linking the scientific discussion with the cultural context of the Czech Republic, providing a comprehensive experience for the foreign participants.

The SEB conference is an important step in the development of international cooperation and scientific research at the Faculty of Tropical Agriculture. "Our faculty has a long tradition in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and plant research in tropical areas. We are thrilled to play such an important role in hosting this important event," concludes Van Damme.

The Czech government is now offering scholarships for students from developing countries, including Moldova, for studies beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year. This opportunity is part of the Czech Republic's commitment to supporting the development of education in Moldova through the Czech Development Project "Modernization and Raising the Prestige of Higher Agricultural Education in Moldova" (N. 24-PKVV-004).

Why Apply?

This scholarship program offers Moldovan students the chance to pursue higher education at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU). The program is designed to help talented individuals from Moldova gain world-class education and contribute to the development of their home country upon their return.

About the Czech Development Project

The project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, aims to modernize and elevate the standards of agricultural education in Moldova. Under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Tatiana Alexiou Ivanova, Ph.D., the project seeks to create lasting impacts in the region by empowering students with advanced knowledge and skills in agriculture.

Online Registration Now Open

Interested candidates from Moldova can now register online for the scholarship. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other associated costs, allowing students to focus entirely on their studies.

List of Priority Countries

Moldova is among the priority countries eligible for this prestigious scholarship program. To learn more about the other countries included, visit the official website of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic: https://msmt.gov.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official registration portal for the Czech government scholarships - http://registr.dzs.cz/.
2. Complete the online application by providing all necessary documentation.
3. Prepare for the selection process, which may include an interview and assessment of academic qualifications.

The deadline for application submission is September 30.

For more information, please contact: paramonova@ftz.czu.cz.

Call for applications is open from 15th August till 15th September 2024. Applications are submitted online.

Dear students, colleagues, alumni and friends of FTA we bring you a new issue of "Tropical News", in which you can find an overview of the activities and projects of international cooperation at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences for the first half of this year. We also introduce our alumni and bring you news from student life. Our aim is to keep all our current and future partners informed and to encourage new opportunities for collaboration.

The newsletter is available for download at the link below, or you can find it in this section:

https://www.ftz.czu.cz/en/r-9422-international-relations/r-11631-international-relations-office/r-17265-fta-newsletter