SPU develops strategic partnerships with Chinese universities and research institutions

SPU maintains long-term cooperation with leading universities and research institutions in China.

This cooperation is primarily focused on research into the antimicrobial activity of plant essential oils, natural preservation systems and their applications in the food industry, the preparation of joint research projects, and the mobility of Chinese students at SPU.

Professor Miroslava Kačániová, Vice-Dean for International Relations and Public Relations at the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, undertook a series of working visits to Chinese partner institutions during May and June.

At Shandong Agricultural University (12–15 May), she held discussions with Professor Guiguo Zhang, with whom she has maintained long-term scientific cooperation. “Our joint research activities are primarily focused on the study of microbiota, the use of biologically active compounds, and their potential applications in agriculture and the food industry. As part of the programme, I also participated in doctoral thesis defences and professional discussions on the further development of joint scientific projects,” stated Professor Kačániová.

The next stop on her working visit (18–22 May) was Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou, where she met with Professor Zhaojun Ban, his colleagues, and students from the Institute of Biological and Chemical Engineering, as well as researchers from the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Chemical and Biological Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing of Agricultural Biological Resources.

An important part of the programme was Professor Kačániová’s participation in the annual meeting of the China–CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance, a multilateral platform established in October 2024 at the initiative of Shandong Agricultural University with the aim of connecting academic institutions, research centres, organisations, and enterprises. The event was held in Jinan, Shandong Province. Professor Kačániová also expressed her appreciation for the invitation and support provided by Dongming Xue, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office at Shandong Agricultural University, whose efforts significantly contributed to the development of professional discussions and international cooperation among partner institutions. Professor Kačániová delivered a lecture entitled “Natural Protection Strategies in Food Systems: Effects on Microbiota, Quality and Shelf Life”, in which she presented research results from the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra focused on natural preservation systems and their impact on food microbiota, quality, and shelf life.

The final part of the working visit was dedicated to the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where, within the framework of the professional seminar “Agricultural Science and Technology Forum”, the SPU expert delivered a lecture on natural protection strategies in food systems under the same title. The visit also marked the beginning of a new stage of cooperation with the research team of Professor Chen Cunkun, whose research focuses on extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, postharvest technologies, and modern preservation methods. “Our shared scientific interests create favourable conditions for future research projects, joint scientific publications, and the exchange of professional expertise between our institutions,” concluded Professor Kačániová.

Photo 1, 2 – From the meeting of the China–CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance

Photo 3 – At the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Photo 4 – With Professor Zhaojun Ban

Photo 5 – At Zhejiang University of Technology in Hangzhou

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