| Target country: | Cambodia |
| Coordinator of the project | Petra Chaloupková |
| Project team: |
Olga Leuner, Miloslav Petrtýl, Simona Tomanová, Martin Richter |
| Partners of the project: |
Royal University of Agriculture, National University of Battambang |
| Budget | 1 115 000,- CZK |
| Duration: | 2026 |
The project “AgriConnect Cambodia – Digital Skills and Research for the Future”, implemented in cooperation between the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the National University of Battambang (NUBB) in Cambodia, and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), aims to strengthen academic cooperation and research capacities in the Cambodian agricultural sector through digital innovation, international networking, and open science. Key activities include: (i) a two-week summer school focused on developing digital skills (including AI tools) and the use of modern technologies for teaching and research in agricultural production; (ii) an international symposium on sustainable agri-food systems; and (iii) the establishment of a research platform to support the publication of high-quality open-access articles. The project will contribute to the development of digital and research skills among students and academics, increase the visibility of Cambodian research within global scientific communities, and support sustainable agriculture and food production in Cambodia.
Output 1. AgriConnect Digital Skills: Digital Competence Training and Summer School for Sustainable Agriculture
Objective 1: Development of Digital Skills and the Use of AI To strengthen the capacities of students and academic staff of RUA, NUBB, and CZU in the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) for data processing, analysis, and visualization, with the aim of enhancing research quality and scientific outputs. Output 1 is divided into two activities focused on the preparation and implementation of the Summer School “Digital Skills for Sustainable Agriculture”.
- Activity 1.1 focuses on the preparation of a two-week summer school, including the development and pilot testing of educational materials, preparation of the programme, and the organization of a selection process for participants.
- Activity 1.2 covers the organization and implementation of the summer school itself.
Output 2. AgriConnect Knowledge & Networking Hub: International Symposium, Scholarships, and Promotion
Objective: Support for Scientific Communication and International Cooperation To create opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and joint educational activities that connect academia, practice, and international partners. Output 2 includes activities aimed at strengthening international cooperation, sharing expert knowledge, and raising awareness of educational and development opportunities.
- Activity 2.1 focuses on organizing the international symposium “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems” as a platform for exchanging experiences among academia, public administration, and practitioners.
- Activity 2.2 aims to promote Czech Government scholarships, increasing awareness among students and young professionals about study opportunities in the Czech Republic.
- Activity 2.3 focuses on the dissemination of project results to the public in order to enhance project visibility, transferability of outputs, and long-term impact.
Output 3. AgriConnect Science: Research Platform for Open Science
Objective: Increasing Publication Capacity and Open Access to Scientific Outputs To support Cambodian researchers in the preparation and publication of high-quality scientific articles in an open-access regime, particularly in the areas of food processing, consumer behavior, and sustainable agriculture. This includes mentoring, methodological support, and financing of article processing charges (APCs). Output 3 aims to strengthen research capacities, open knowledge sharing, and international cooperation in sustainable agriculture and consists of two activities.
- Activity 3.1 focuses on establishing the AgriConnect Science research platform, serving as a tool for sharing research data, methodologies, and results in line with Open Science principles.
- Activity 3.2 centers on the organization of the “Open Science Training Week”, aimed at developing the competencies of early-career researchers and academic staff in the areas of open science, research data management, scientific publishing, and international research collaboration.
