On March 6, 2026, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice welcomed a delegation from the Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI), which consisted of a total of 43 representatives of academic and non-academic staff. The main purpose of the visit was to deepen cooperation in the areas of education, research, and international projects.
The opening part of the program took place in the Aula of the University of South Bohemia. The guests were welcomed by the rector of the university, Prof. Ing. Pavel Kozák, Ph.D. This was followed by an opening presentation session, during which the University of South Bohemia was introduced, as well as the activities of the Czech Arctic Research Consortium and the Agricultural University of Iceland itself.
Part of the program was also the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which was confirmed by the rector of the University of South Bohemia, Prof. Pavel Kozák, and the rector Ragnheiður I. Þórarinsdóttir from the Agricultural University of Iceland. The Memorandum establishes a framework for future cooperation in research, student and academic mobility, and joint projects.
After a joint photo session, parallel working meetings followed. The delegation was divided into smaller groups according to their field of expertise and met with representatives from several faculties of the University of South Bohemia – the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Fisheries and Water Protection, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology. The discussions focused on specific opportunities for cooperation in teaching, research, and joint projects.
In addition to academic meetings, a non-academic staff meeting also took place, during which they shared experiences in university management and best practices within alliances of European universities. While the University of South Bohemia is a member of the KreativEU alliance, the Agricultural University of Iceland is part of the European university alliance UNIgreen – The Green European University, which focuses on cooperation in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.
The visit of the Icelandic delegation confirmed the mutual interest of both universities in developing international cooperation and opened the way for new projects and student and academic staff exchanges.
