NUBiP of Ukraine — among the winners of the competition for the creation of campuses of excellence

The National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine has become one of 12 higher educational institutions selected by the Ministry of education and science of Ukraine to implement projects for the creation and development of excellence campuses.

The University presented the AgroGreen-CampeX (AGROSENSE) project — a Campus of Excellence for climate-oriented agricultural systems.

Competitive selection was conducted within the framework of the project «Improving higher education in Ukraine for results» (UIHERP), which is implemented by the Ministry of education and science of Ukraine with the financial support of the World Bank. Based on the evaluation results, 12 universities have been selected to proceed to the next stage: the preparation and implementation of investment projects.

For NUBiP of Ukraine, this result is a recognition of the scientific, educational and innovative capacity of the University in a strategically important area for the state — agriculture.

NUBiP of Ukraine combines powerful scientific schools and competencies in agronomy, soil science, genetics and breeding, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, food sciences, information technology, energy and engineering. It is this interdisciplinarity that has become the basis of the AGROSENSE concept. The investment proposal defines the Campus as an integrated platform for education, science and innovation, covering the full cycle of «soil — plant — animal — food — human health».

AGROSENSE — this is not a separate laboratory or building, but a complete system of interconnected research, educational and innovation centers. Its core will be formed by modern laboratories, research platforms, experimental sites and open educational spaces united by a common management system.

The AGROSENSE investment proposal comprises 11 interconnected packages with a total value of up to $6 million. The development of the Center for climate-oriented agrosystems and carbon monitoring, the Center for Genomics of agrosystems and biodiversity, the laboratory and research Center for genetic resources and seed production, the precision animal husbandry cluster, the intelligent greenhouse complex and the interdisciplinary cluster "Unified health" is planned.

Some investment ares include the development of renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of laboratories, reconstruction of building No. 5 of the Ukrainian laboratory of quality and safety of agricultural products with its transformation into a research and mobile hub AGROSENSE, development of a modern physical (Open space) and digital educational environment of the university, preparation for international accreditation of veterinary education, study and implementation of the best models of activities of leading European university campuses.

An important component of AGROSENSE will be the introduction of technologies that are of direct importance for the development and competitiveness of the agricultural sector of Ukraine. We are talking about climate-oriented agriculture, soil carbon monitoring, DNA certification of varieties, hybrids and farm animals, conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, precision animal husbandry, automated greenhouse production, digital and sensor technologies, renewable energy, veterinary and food safety.

A special place will be occupied by the implementation of the concept «Unified health», which combines human, animal and environmental health. On campus, it will integrate veterinary medicine, food science, nutrition, biosafety, and quality management into a single system of research, education, and risk assessment.

AGROSENSE will have not only scientific, but also significant educational and social significance. The new research infrastructure will be integrated into the training of undergraduates, postgraduates and young scientists, the development of academic mobility, the development of interdisciplinary educational programs and certificate programs, student entrepreneurship and technology transfer to production. Important tasks also include the creation of an accessible and inclusive environment, the development of human capital and professional adaptation of veterans to the modern high-tech agricultural sector.

The creation of the Campus should ensure the transition from separate strong laboratories and research teams to a holistic university ecosystem, where education, research, innovation and collaboration with production will work for a common result.

AGROSENSE strategic goal — to form a European-level center of excellence in NUBiP of Ukraine, capable of creating new knowledge and technologies, training new generation specialists and offering practical solutions for food security, climate sustainability, green restoration and technological modernization of Ukraine.

The next, most important stage is ahead: preparation and implementation of the AGROSENSE investment project.

The successful result of the competitive selection was the result of joint work of the management, scientific and educational team of NUBiP of Ukraine. The overall management of the project was carried out by the rector of the University Vadym TKACHUK, coordination of the scientific and innovative component — vice-rector for research and innovation Oksana TONKHA. Also involved in the organizational support for the implementation of the AGROSENSE Campus project are Olena HLAZUNOVA, vice-rector for academic and pedagogical work and digital transformation; Oleksandr LABENKO, vice-rector for academic and pedagogical work and international activities; Tetiana KOSTIUK, vice-rector for academic and pedagogical work and economic affairs; and Volodymyr YEVTUSHENKO, vice-rector for academic and pedagogical work and administrative and operational activities.

Representatives of the research department, specialized faculties and educational and scientific institutes, the Ukrainian laboratory of quality and safety of agricultural products were involved in the preparation of the concept, development plan and investment proposal.

The scientific core of the project is formed from scientists from various areas of life sciences and agricultural technologies: doctors of sciences Svitlana KALENSKA, Oksana TONKHA, Volodymyr OTCHENASHKO, Roman KULIBABA, Ihor BOLBOT, associate professors Natalia SLOBODYANYUK, Viktor TROKHANYAK and other research and teaching staff of the University representing crop production, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, engineering and related areas.

Our congratulations to the staff of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and the team that worked on the concept, development plan and investment proposal of the Campus of excellence, with the successful result of competitive selection!

AGROSENSE Campus — from soil to human health. From scientific research to technologies for the sustainable future of Ukraine.