The titles were awarded in the scope of a round table on the subject of “The role of agricultural training and research in the era of the integration of Ukraine into the EU”, which took place at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP), Kiev, on 13 September 2024. Rector Vadym Tkachuk introduced the two IAMO researchers at the opening of the event. In conclusion, Alfons Balmann and Oleksandr Perekhozhuk were presented with their gowns and diplomas by Vadym Tkachuk, Rector of the university, and Stanislav Nikolaienko, Chair of the Academic Board. The two researchers expressed their thanks for the honour and pointed out that a university such as the NUBiP plays a key role for Ukraine on its path to the EU.
To open the discussion, Alfons Balmann presented the challenges and opportunities of EU membership for Ukrainian agricultural universities. He declared himself impressed by the manner in which Ukraine is managing to implement European values at such a difficult time. At the same time, he pointed out that all laws of the EU also apply bindingly for countries striving to acquire EU membership. To make an optimal contribution to this, Ukrainian universities also need to modernise and, above all, create attractive working conditions for excellent lecturers and researchers.
Participating in the discussion were the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi, together with members of the Council for Agricultural Education of the Ukrainian Ministry for Education and Science, representatives of the UN FAO, business and academic establishments. The event was organised by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) and the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP).
