The management of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) and AGROFERT, a leading agricultural, food, and chemical conglomerate in Central Europe, signed a memorandum of cooperation in Prague. The university and the largest player in Czech agriculture aim to collaborate primarily in the field of applied research in agriculture and food production, as well as in education.
AGROFERT and its agricultural and food industry enterprises will provide the university with experts from practice who can share their experience and knowledge through lectures and by supervising bachelor's and master's theses. There is also mutual interest in involving experts in practical teaching and university activities, such as the university farm and topics like agro-photovoltaics, irrigation, and water resource management in the Žatec region for hop cultivation.
The memorandum was signed on behalf of CZU by the university's rector, Prof. Ing. Petr Sklenička, CSc. On behalf of AGROFERT, the agreement was signed by the company's CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board, Ing. Josef Mráz, and CFO and Board Member, Ing. Petra Procházková.
"AGROFERT is a natural partner for agricultural higher education. Our experts collaborate with universities, we employ their graduates, and the future of Czech agriculture and education in this field is our shared interest. The signing of this memorandum is thus a logical step and the culmination of long-term cooperation between AGROFERT and CZU. We value our partnership with the Czech University of Life Sciences, and we also see this initiative as part of our social responsibility. As the largest employer in agriculture, we feel responsible for the future training of the young generation entering not only our agricultural businesses," said Ing. Josef Mráz, Vice-Chairman of the Board of AGROFERT.
"Through this memorandum, the university further develops its long-term cooperation with AGROFERT with current and mutually beneficial activities. We are building on our existing collaboration, particularly between the university's agricultural enterprise, Statky CZU, and AGROFERT's businesses operating in the surrounding area, as well as in career counseling. In this regard, the AGROFERT Group is a natural and significant employer of our graduates. We also intend to expand our cooperation in the food industry," added Prof. Ing. Petr Sklenička, CSc, Rector of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.