International Země živitelka, agricultural exhibition 2025: The University of South Bohemia and the Ministry of agriculture will join forces to train experts
At this year’s Země živitelka - agricultural exhibition, the University of South Bohemia (USB) will deepen its valuable professional cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. The memorandum to be signed here paves the way for closer ties between academia and practice and confirms a shared commitment to educating qualified specialists. The dynamic development of agricultural sectors brings an urgent need for the exchange of information in science, research and innovation. In their collaboration, both parties will focus on environmental challenges and sustainable solutions.
“The University of South Bohemia has long cooperated with the Ministry of Agriculture in research as well as in legislative, legal and consulting matters—especially in the fields of fisheries and water management. Today, demand for technically educated professionals in traditional economic sectors is growing rapidly. Agricultural technologies are evolving at breakneck speed, and we are responding to these trends by offering students new, technology-focused study programmes that truly meet market needs. Cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture is a key partnership for our university, enabling us to advance the training of high-quality, in-demand specialists,” commented USB Rector Pavel Kozák on the signing of the memorandum.
Specifically, this partnership means that students will be able to complete internships directly at ministry facilities, while ministry experts will take part in teaching at the university.
“The Ministry of Agriculture will offer University of South Bohemia students the opportunity to undertake internships at its offices, our experts will supervise final theses and actively collaborate on educational events such as seminars, workshops and conferences. Together, we will identify topics with the potential to deliver innovations and practical solutions for the sustainable development of our sector,” said Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL).
New programs address regional needs
Thanks to such partnerships, USB can connect students with the labour market and tailor its range of study programs across all eight faculties. For the coming academic year, the university is launching several new programs that reflect demand from companies, schools, hospitals and many other institutions facing a shortage of qualified personnel.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, responding to regional needs and the growing demand for technically skilled graduates—particularly in the South Bohemian Region—had two new bachelor’s programs accredited in 2025: Manufacturing Technology and Handling and Transport Engineering. It is also preparing, in cooperation with other university units, a new interdisciplinary program called Applied Engineering Technologies, aimed at training specialists for engineering tasks. Successful graduates will find employment in numerous companies and organisations that currently lack experts in this field.
Award for a young scientist
This year’s Země živitelka will include the presentation of the prestigious Minister of Agriculture Award for Young Scientists. The 2025 award will go to Lenka Kajgrová from the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters at the University of South Bohemia. Her story illustrates how scientific research can have a tangible impact on the landscape. In her work, she studies the functioning of pond ecosystems and seeks concrete measures for their ecologically and economically sustainable use. She also investigates the effects of eutrophication, shifts in nutrient ratios and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.
The award is intended for researchers under the age of 35 whose projects and results in agriculture, forestry, fisheries or food science have made a significant contribution to the development of their field.
“I deeply appreciate this award—it confirms that it makes sense to look for ways to do things differently and better. It motivates me to continue research that connects land stewardship with everyday practice and to help make landscape management more sustainable and nature-friendly. For me, this award also marks the end of one challenging but meaningful chapter and the beginning of a new one, in which I aim to further develop these values,” says award-winning scientist Lenka Kajgrová.
From research to product
At Země živitelka, visitors can look forward not only to expert presentations but also to tasting what the university produces. The Faculty of Agriculture and Technology and the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters have once again prepared a selection of campus-made specialties. In the USB exhibition at Pavilion R3, guests can sample fish salads, meatloaf, hot halászlé soup, fruit marmalades, hawthorn vinegar, ghee, chili-infused cheese dip and, of course, beer and soft drinks from the university’s mini-brewery.
