13.06.2025. Study visit to the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra

A study visit of the academic staff to the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra was held from 9 to 13 June 2025. It was organised within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ Programme, project “Open Innovative University of Food” (OFINU). Nine teachers from the Tajikistan’s higher education institutions, seven from Uzbekistan’s universities and the OFINU content coordinator from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies took part in the study visit.

As part of the visit, lectures, practical and experimental classes were held on modules addressing the technological process of fruits and vegetables processing, development of new food products and writing scientific articles.

On the first day participants got acquainted with research and teaching laboratories of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The introduction was conducted by Prof. Eng. Miroslava Kačaniova. Participants visited full spectrum of laboratories: microbiological, chemical, physicochemical, agrotechnological, technological. Modern equipment, such as mass spectroscopy, IVOS II, ALFA, IRIS, gas-liquid chromatography, electrophoretic analyzer was presented and its functionality demonstrated.   

Training sessions on food safety and product quality management were provided by the Professor Eva Ivanišová. The same day, laboratory tests on bakery technology were held.  Each participant cooked bakery products, examined the properties of grain, flour, dough and the finished product itself.

On 10 June, Simona Kunová held a training session on product safety management. Important and necessary information on food safety and hygiene in the food industry was provided. At the end of each topic tests were presented, participants answered them based on the gained knowledge, and answers were analyzed. The session was organised by applying the latest teaching and outcomes verification methodologies.

On 11 June experiments were carried out in the microbiology laboratory to practice determination of the number and type of microorganisms in two food products - apricots and carrots by using the latest research methods and knowledge. The same day Prof. Eng. Miroslava Kačaniova led the training session on writing scientific articles, paying special attention to selection of proper citations. Natalia Čmikova demonstrated how to prepare effective research presentation and to find the latest knowledge sources in the Internet.

On 12 June Simona Kunová provided training on the development of a sanitary and hygienic programme, followed by practical classes.

On the last day the group visited fruit and vegetable processing enterprises, which provided knowledge on novel technologies, production of premium and frozen products.

The study visit is an important contribution to strengthening the operational capacity of academic staff: it enabled participants to acquire new knowledge, to learn new working methods necessary for work within an Open University, to carry out a comparative assessment of the content and teaching approaches used in their country and institution with those of European universities, thereby providing incentives for improvements upon return at the home university.

The participants are very grateful to the team of Slovak University of Agriculture of Nitra, led by Prof. Miroslava Kačaniova, for their efforts in preparation and provision of the study visit, sharing their knowledge and expertise, thus supporting Central Asia higher education institutions to adopt new knowledge and introduce novel teaching forms and methods.