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The beginnings of higher agricultural education in the territory of Slovakia go back to the last century when, in 1875, the first higher agricultural school in Upper Austria - the Košice Agricultural Institute - was founded in Košice. Within the Košice Agricultural Institute a unique, narrowly specialised School of Water Technology Fore-men was also founded for the training of experts in melioration and grasslands. Both schools functioned successfully in Košice until the foundation of the first Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. The upgrading of the Košice Agricultural Institute to an Agricultural Academy in 1906 meant that the school acquired the character of a higher education institution. The interrupted continuity of higher agricultural education was renewed as late as in 1939 when the Department of Forestry and Agricultural Engineering was founded at the Slovak College of Technology in Bratislava.
The study of agricultural sciences at this department began in the 1941/42 academic year, while the first agricultural engineers of the Slovak College of Tech-nology in Bratislava graduated in 1946. The year 1945/46 concludes the first stage of the development of higher agricultural education in Slovakia.
The second stage begins on the 25th of April 1946 when, through a Decree of the Slovak National Council No. 48/1946, the College of Agricultural and Forestry Engi-neering in Košice was established. This stage came to an end on the 8th of July 1952 when the Government of the Czechoslovak Republic Resolution No. 30/1952 can-celled the College of Agricultural and Forestry Engi-neering in Košice and, instead of it, constituted two independent colleges:
- The College of Forestry and Wood Processing in Zvolen
and
- The College of Agriculture in Nitra.
At the beginning the College of Agriculture in Nitra had two faculties - the Faculty of Agronomy and the Faculty of Animal Science. The third faculty, the Veterinary one, remained in Košice. On the 1st of January 1969 it was separated from the College of Agriculture in Nitra, becoming an independent Veterinary College in Košice.
In Nitra, despite difficult beginnings, the College of Agriculture found favourable conditions for its further development. The 1959 reorganisation resulted in the merging of the Faculty of Animal Science with the Faculty of Agronomy and the establishment of the Faculty of Economics and Management. In 1969 the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and in 1995 a fourth faculty - the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering- were created.

The 1960s and the 1970s were important periods in the history of the development of the College of Agriculture in Nitra, being the years which saw the construction of a new campus. It was officially opened in 1966. The building complex was designed by arch. Vladimír Dědeček. This unique work was given the title "the Building of the Century in Slovakia" in 2001.
Simultaneously with the premises for teaching, student hostels, the College's experimental base and premises for sports activities (indoor swimming pool, sports hall, and a complex of sports fields) were built.
In 1973 the training and recreation centre in the High Tatras was opened and in 1974 the College of Agriculture Experimental Farm was established.
In the following years the improvement in the availability of premises for study and research continued, for example, with the opening of the "S" pavilion in 1984. In 1998 the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering building on Tulipan street (designed by arch. Juraj Polyak - in 1998 it was granted a prize of the Association of Slovak Architects) and in 1999 the SAU Congress Centre was opened. In addition to material development, there has also been a development of pedagogical, scientific and research activities.
In addition to new faculties, the following new peda-gogical, research and development centres were built: Institute of Computer Technology, Central Agricultural Library of the Slovak Republic, Institute of Biological Rationalisation of Agriculture, Institute of Measurement Technology, and Institute of Economics and Mana-gement of Agriculture.

The post 1989 development at the College of Agriculture in Nitra was not only a process of democratization, but an attempt to undo wrongs of the past and the creation of new organizational structures. There was not only an unprecedented, and in the past even impossible, deve-lopment of foreign co-operation, but also a transfor-mation of the college to a university not just in name, but, above all, a transformation to a fully-fledged system of education acceptable in developed countries. A logi-cal culmination of the above-mentioned efforts was the Slovak Parliament Act No. 324/1996, which changed the name of the College of Agriculture in Nitra into that of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra (henceforth SAU).
At the SAU in Nitra, the system of a diversification of education and the transfer of responsibility for pro-fessional orientation to students themselves were accepted. The fully computer-aided credit system that is now under way is becoming ever more compatible with the systems of developed and renowned world universities.

Honorary Degrees of the SAU in Nitra
The Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra honours the contribution of distinguished personalities to the deve-lopment of sciences and of the University as an educational and scientific institution. The following personalities have received honorary degrees Dr.h.c.:
Dr. Jacques Diouf - General Director of FAO UN - 1995
prof. Ing. Emil Špaldon, DrSc. - SR - 1996
prof. Eduard Runge - USA - 1996
prof. MVDr. Ján Hovorka, DrSc. - SR - 1996
prof. Dr. Viktor Dragavcev - Russia - 1999
prof. John Kozak - USA - 1999
prof. Dr. Manfred Olbertz - Germany - 2000
prof. Ing. Miroslav Grznár, DrSc. - SR - 2000
prof. Ing. Jan Hron, DrSc. - Czech Republic - 2001
prof. Ing. Ján Plesník, DrSc. - SR - 2001
Ms Catherine Bertini - Managing Dir. WFP - UN -2001
prof. G. Joachim Elterich - USA - 2001
prof. Ing. Karel Vinohradský, CSc. -Czech Republic - 2002
RNDr. Jozef Kollár - SR -2002

The SAU is devided into faculties, scientific and
pedagogical departments, information technology departments, special departments, and the rector's office.


The SAU Faculties:
Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources (FAFR)
Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM)
Faculty of Agricultural Engineering (FAE)
Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering (FHLE)
Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences (FBFS)
Faculty of European Studies and Regional Policy (FESRP) - Virtual Part

Scientific and Educational Divisions:
Botanical Garden (BG)
University Farm - Kolíňany (UFK)
Institute of Biodiversity Protection and Biology
Safety (IBPBS)
Institute of Expertise in Agriculture (IEA)
Centre of Baltic University (CBU)
Advisory Centre for EU Legislation (ACEUL)

Information Centres:
Publishing and Editorial Centre (PEC)
Slovak Agricultural Library (SAG)
Centre of Information and Communication Technology (CICT)

Specific Purpose Facilities:
Educational and Training Facility Račková dolina (ETF RD)
Educational and Training Facility - Sports Facilities (ETF SF)
Educational and Training Facility - Tennis Centre (ETF TC)
Congress Centre
Student Hostels and Refectories (SHR)
Institute of Education, Research and Advisory Services Koliňany (IERAS)
Slovak Centre for the Retraining of Agricultural Workers (SCRAW)
SAU Research and Instruction Hunting Ground (RIG)
Association of Sports Clubs
Student Cultural Activity Club (Foklore ensemble Zobor, Theatricals "Divadielko na Osmičke",
University news "Poľnohospodár"


SAU Rector's Office (R-SAU)
Office of the Rector
Office of Science, Research and Doctoral Study
Office of Study Programs and ECTS
Office of International Relations and International Programs
Office of Public Relations
Office of the Bursar:

o Division of Control
o Division of Specific Tasks
o Section of Economic Activities (Fina
ncial Resources Management Office, Personnel and Economy of Labour Office, General Accounting Division, Wages Accounting Division)
o Operation and Investments Division (Operation and Property Management Division, Investments Division, Labour and Fire Safety Division)
o Legal Services Division

The SAU in Nitra is a top educational and scientific in-stitution whose main aim is to provide students with a university education, drawing on scientific knowledge in agriculture and neighbouring areas, as well as on creative scientific research. Due to the fact that it is the only university of its kind in Slovakia, it has acquired a unique, national status. Its aim is to offer such edu-cation, research and advisory services which would create conditions for the development of agriculture and its neighbouring areas, the development of Slovak rural areas and their linking to the development of the international community. Meeting these aims contri-bute to the educational, scientific, technical, and eco-nomic growth of society. This is done in harmony with the world scientific and cultural trends. Following national and generally human traditions, the SAU is a significant part of the Slovak Republic's academic and research institutions network. At present, the SAU offers a university education in the following levels of degree programs:
a university education in the following levels of degree programs:
1st - Bachelor's - award "Bc."
2nd - Engineer's (Master's) - award "Ing."
3rd - Doctoral - award "PhD."

In addition to the above-mentioned degree programs, the SAU creates conditions for a life-long education (specialized study, retraining courses, etc.) that allows its participants to complement or develop their knowledge in a particular area. The educational process at the SAU in Nitra is carried out in 26 study areas (29 study specializations) of the Engineer's study, in 18 study areas (4 study specializations) of the Bachelor's study, and in 14 study areas of the Doctoral study. All study or research areas are accredited, offering a possibility to study in full-time or part-time forms. Some kinds of study are carried out in the form of a distance study.

Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra (henceforth as FAFR SAU) is a top educational and scientific institution providing academic education based on the latest knowledge in the area of agriculture and related branches as well as on creative scientific research. Its objective is to create conditions for such education, research and counselling which would ensure the dissemination of knowledge necessary for the deve-lopment of agriculture and related branches as well as for rural development in Slovakia, with a view of the country's participation in the international community. FAFR SAU offers academic education within the accredited study programs (henceforth SP) on three levels: first - Bachelor's, second - Engineer's, and third - Doctoral study programs.

Organization of Study
The full-time study form lasts 5 years (10 semesters). Students begin in the Bachelor's program, lasting 3 years (6 semesters), and then continue in the two-year Engineer's program. The Faculty has a flexible study system which gives students enough space for the creation of their own study plan, based on their indi-vidual profile and schedule and following the offer of individual departments.

The Faculty has accredited the following degree programs in areas:
Bachelor's Program:
o Management of Animal Production
o Management of Crop Production
o General Agriculture
o Human Nutrition
o Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

Engineer's Program:
o Crop Protection
o Human Nutrition
o General Agriculture
o Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
o Agroenvironmentalistics
o Management of Animal Production

Specializations:
- Animal Breeding and Reproduction
- Management and Economics of Animal Production
- Animal Nutrition and Feedstuffs
- Special Branches of Animal Production

o Management of Crop Production

Specializations:
- Crop Breeding and Seed Production
- Crop Nutrition
- Agriculture of Marginal Regions
- Management and Economics of Crop Production

Doctoral Programme:
o General Crop Production
o Special Crop Production
o Agro-Chemistry and Crop Nutrition
o General Animal Production
o Special Animal Production
o Physiology of Crops and Trees
o Crop Protection
o Genetics

Our Graduates in the Labour Market
The knowledge and skills acquired in the courses give our graduates enough qualification to work in private and state food and agricultural enterprises, in services, research, education, RPIS departments, insurance com-panies, in professional and managerial capacities, in biological services, seed-breeding organizations, breeder's associations, feedstuff and processing industry companies, national and international organizations trading with agricultural commodities, in standardization organizations, in research and breeder's enterprises, in offices of area planning and nature conservation. Moreover, they may find jobs also in marketing, education and advertisement, in healthy food consulting centres, in the consumer protection divisions operating in the areas of national and foreign food production, in civil service, in companies producing and delivering pesticides and providing counselling services in plant protection, etc.

Departments and Research Units at the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources:
Department of Agro-chemistry and Plant Nutrition
Department of Botany
Department of Plant Physiology
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Departments of Grass Ecosystems and Feedstuff Crops
Department of Plant Protection
Department of Pedology and Geology
Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Herbology

Department of Plant Production
Department of Genetics and Breeding Biology
Department of Poultry and Small Farm Animals
Department of Environmental Studies and Zoology
Department of the Prevention of Diseases and Repro-duction of Farm Animals
Department of Special Animal Production
Department of Animal Nutrition
Department of Morphology of Vertebrates
Department of Human Nutrition

FAFR Research and Utility Units
Centre of Biology and Ecology of Plants at Malanta
Centre of Agrobiological Information Sciences
Above Average Fattening and Slaughter Value
Station run by the Department of Specialized Zootechnics
Research and Training Hunting Ground run by the
Department of Poultry and Small Farm Animals

FAFR detached units (consulting centres)
Dvory nad Žitavou, Hlavné námestie 2
Rimavská Sobota, Okružná 61
Liptovský Mikuláš, Demänovská cesta 669
Bardejov, Štefánikova 64

Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources
Tr. A. Hlinku 2, P. O. Box 40B, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Tel.: +421 37 651 12 44; Fax: +421 37 741 14 51
E-mail: dekaf@uniag.sk
http://www.af.uniag.sk

Strategic objectives
In its educational activities, the FAFR SAU follows the principles of the 1998 World Declaration on the University Education for the 21st Century and the so-called Bologna Declaration of 1999. They include especially the following:
adjustment of the university system of study to Euro- pean trends,
increasing of international student and teacher mobilities,
introduction of a fully operational European Credit Transfer System (ECTS),
increasing of the efficiency of university entrance procedures,
introduction of the students' evaluation of a tea- ching process,
increasing the number of courses in computer technology, information and communication technologies, as well as of courses focused on
economics and foreign language teaching.


The Faculty of Economics and Management
originated in 1959 as the Faculty of Operation and Eco-nomics from the three departments whose activities were in the area of economics and social sciences. It provides students with theory and practical skills nece-ssary for economic and management jobs in agricultural and food industry areas, for jobs in business and financial institutions, in public administration institutions, as well as in other economic areas.

Organization of Study
The Engineer's study consists of two stages. The study program of the first stage (1-3 years) is made up of courses offering basic theory in the appropriate field. The second stage (4-5 years) offers specialized courses. The students can choose their area of specialization in their third year of study. The Bachelor's study lasts three years and is organized in the form of part-time and distance study. The graduates may continue in the Engineer's study. The system in both forms is flexible, allowing students to create their own study programs. The Eastern Slovakia region is covered by the Faculty's Košice educational facility.

The faculty has accredited the following degree programs in areas:

Bachelor's Program:
o Economics of Agriculture
o Agricultural Management

Specializations:
- Business Management
- Commercial Management
- Crisis Management

o Operation and Economics of Agri-food Enterprises
o International Trade
o Environmental Management and Regional Deve-
lopment
o Special Education Supervisor

Engineer's Program:
o Economics of Agriculture

Specializations:
- Business Economics
- Business and Law in Agriculture
- Finance in Agriculture
- Accounting and Auditing
- Regional Development

o Agricultural Management

Specializations:
- Business Management
- Quantitative Management and Application of Informatics
- Commercial Management
- Crisis Management

o International Trade

Specialisations:
- International Agrarian Trade and Customs
- Communication in International Agrarian Trade

o Operation and Economics of Agri-Food Enterprises
o Environmental Management and Regional Development.


Doctoral Program:
o Industry and Branch Economics
o Economics and Management of Enterprises


Our Graduates in the Labour Markets
The Faculty of Economics and Management graduates may find jobs in managerial positions and in economic sections of businesses - not only in agricultural branches, but also in trading institutions aimed at domestic and foreign agricultural commodities markets, in mana-gement and economic positions of financial institutions
(tax departments, insurance companies, banks, etc.), in the Ministry of Agriculture research institutions, in repre- sentative bodies, in general and specialized areas of public administration institutions, in specialized and advisory services, in agricultural secondary and appren-tice schools, etc.

The Faculty of Economics and Management
Departments and Facilities
Department of Economics
Department of Management and Marketing
Department of Statistics and Operation Research
Department of Regional Development
Department of Information Systems and Finances
Department of Mathematics
Department of Languages
Department of Information Sciences
Department of Law
Department of Practice
Department of Pedagogy and Psychology
Department of Social Sciences
Department of Operation and Economics - stationed in
the Košice educational facility
Centre of Information Technologies

The strategic educational aim of the FEM SAU is to train economists and managers for labour markets in general, as well as for more specialized agricultural and food markets. The graduates are equipped with suffi-cient theory and practical skills, including languages.
As far as the research activities are concerned, the emphasis is put on research projects of an institutional nature. The grant research projects are concerned with the tasks of social importance. The research activities are carried out in co-operation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences, branch research institutes, as well as with the practice itself. The nature of research requires the buil-ding of, in co-operation with branch research institutes, the Faculty's bank of data and the application of modern information technologies and data networks.

Faculty of Economics and Management of the SAU in Nitra
Tr. A. Hlinku 2, P. O. Box 40B, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Tel.: +421 37 651 11 51
Fax: +421 37 651 15 89
E-mail: dekfem@uniag.sk
http://www.fem.uniag.sk

 

The Faculty of Agricultural Engineering was founded in 1969. It trains operation technical engineers, able to manage and organize production processes, to design mechanized production systems, to secure reliable operation of production equipment, and to keep the machines quality parameters at the necessary level, to create and manage systems for the renewal of the technical life of machines, to control energetic systems of production facilities, to design and manage technical development of production subjects, using electronics, computer technology and robotization, to provide com-mercial services for producers of machines.

Organization of Study
The Engineer's study lasts 5-years (10 semesters). It ends in a state examination from four profile subjects and with the defence of a diploma work. The graduates are awarded the degree Ing. (Engineer), which corres-ponds with the Master of Science awarded at foreign universities. The preparation starts with basic mathe-matical and physical courses, it continues with courses in construction and machinery technology, and ends with the study of mechanized and automated production systems in agriculture and other branches - according to the requirements of the study areas selected by the students.
Students gain knowledge of management and economics of production. The professional profile is complemented in the areas of technology management and production processes, in the projecting of mecha-nised systems and the maintaining of machinery servi-ceability.

The Faculty has accredited the following degree programs in areas:

Bachelor's Program:
o Agricultural Engineering

Specialization:
- Machinery Maintenance and Repair

Engineer's Program:
o Agricultural Engineering

Specializations:
- Transporting and Manipulating Processes
- Commercial Services
- Technical Services in Municipalities
- Development and Testing of Machines
- Machinery Maintenance and Repair
- Food Processing Technique
- Automation and Computer Technology

o Reliability of Machines

Specializations:
- Operational Reliability of Machines
- Reliability of Machines and Constructions

o Food Processing Engineering

Doctoral Program:
o Techniques and Mechanization of Agricultural and Forest Production


Our Graduates in the Labour Markets
The graduates of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering can find employment as technical management staff, or operating engineers managing production processes in agriculture, food industry, building, transport, commu-nal technical services, in companies dealing in the servicing and repairs of technology, working for trade centres of companies selling production equipment, as designer-technologists in specialized design and engi-neering organizations, as experts working in research and development and machinery testing centres, as tea-chers at specialized schools.
The graduates of the specialization Rural Engineering can find employment in communal offices of rural villages, in agritourist centres and in other agricultural organizations.

The Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Departments and Facilities
Department of Machinery and Production Systems
Department of Vehicles and Thermal Equipment
Department of Machinery Reliability
Department of Mechanization of Animal and Food Production
Department of Mechanics and Engineering
Department of Constructions
Department of Physics
Department of Electronic and Automatization
Division of Transport Education and Services
Faculty Computer Centre

The Faculty of Agricultural Engineering's educational strategic aims are in the preparation of graduates capable of finding employment as operating technical engineers, prepared for the management of production, the designing of production lines and the maintaining of their reliable operation.

Faculty of Agricultural Engineering SAU in Nitra
Tr. A. Hlinku 2, P. O. Box 40B, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
tel.: +421 37 651 32 44; Fax: +421 37 741 70 03
E-mail: dekmf@uniag.sk
http://www.mf.uniag.sk

 

The Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering is professionally aimed at the education of students in the areas of horticulture, garden and land-scape architecture, landscape engineering, and sustainable development. In all these areas it has mana-ged to establish good co-operation with domestic and foreign research centres as well as with practice centres.

Organization of Study
The Faculty has Bachelor's and Engineer's study forms. The 5-year Engineer's study is flexible. The study prog-ram consists of courses in basic theory and of specialized courses according to the selected area of study. The character of the study is determined by the student, in accordance with his/her specialization, by choosing from a set of specialized courses and an individually determined topic for the diploma thesis. The selection of additional courses depends on the self-profilation of every student. The study ends with a state examination that also includes the defence of the diploma thesis. The three-year Bachelor's study has a fixed study program, consisting mainly of specialized courses. In addition to the required courses, students can take other courses as well. The study ends with a state Bachelor's examination which includes the defence of the final Bachelor's thesis.


The Faculty has accredited the following degree programs in areas

Bachelor's Program:
o Horticulture
o Landscape Engineering
o Garden and Landscape Architecture
o Landscape Planning and Country Creation

Engineer's Program:
o Garden and Landscape Architecture

Specializations:
- Garden and Park Creation
- Biotechnics of Verdure

o Horticulture

Specializations:
- Vegetable Growing
- Floriculture
- Fruit Growing
- Viticulture and Oenology

o Landscape Engineering

Specializations:
- Water Management
- Waste Management
- Land Arrangement and GIS

o Landscape Planning and Landscape creation

Doctoral Program:
o Horticulture
o Landscape Engineering
In all areas both full-time and part-time study forms are offered.

Our Graduates in the Labour Markets
Horticultural and Landscape Architecture - the gradu-ates can find employment as horticultural and landscape architects, technicians for the establishment and upkeep of verdure, in the ateliers of designer organizations, in specialized horticultural operations, in private companies and trade, in management and production positions, in the civil service, in research and education sectors.
Horticulture - they can work in specialized garden productions, in agricultural businesses, in co-operatives aimed at horticultural production, in processing com-panies, in trade, in shipment, in managerial positions, in education, research, and the civil service.
Landscape Engineering - graduates can work in the civil service - in the environment protection, cadastral, land, agricultural and forestry divisions, in the Slovak Environ-mental Agency, in designer institutions and bodies dealing with the country's water management. Gifted students have opportunities to work in research centres and at universities.

The Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Departments and Facilities
Department of Biometeorology and Hydrology
Department of Biotechnology of Verdure
Department of Ecology
Department of Landscape Engineering
Department of Landscape Planning and Land Adjustments
Department of Fruit Production, Viticulture and Oenology
Department of Sustainable Development
Department of Physical Education and Sports
Department of Garden and Landscape Architecture
Department of Vegetable Production
Show Garden

Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering of the SAU in Nitra
Tulipánova 7, P. O. Box 40B, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia
Tel./Fax: +421 37 652 27 41
E-mail: dekfzki@uniag.sk
http://www.fzki.uniag.sk

The FHLE strategic aims in the area of education are especially the following:
o
new FHLE educational programs are to be conceived in harmony with the transformation of the agricultural sector and with regard to sustainable development,
o to strengthen the individual study as well as the lifelong education courses,
o to increase the open character of admissions for a university study,
o to create conditions for international accreditation of the Faculty's study subject areas.

The FHLE strategic aims in the area of research are especially the following:
o increasing the international character of scientific and research activities and the establishment of integrated Faculty and University facilities,
o designing of the technical development projects and their realization in production.


The
Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences was established in 2002. Its aim is to educate highly qualified professionals able to apply the latest information technology in the areas of biology, chemistry, tech-nology and economic sciences, oriented in modern procedures of production, evaluation and processing of food as well as specific biotechnology products.
The main goal is to achieve biological and technological integrity of the system: "an agricultural product - a food".

Organization of Study
The study consists of three accredited study levels (Ba-chelor's, Engineer's, Doctoral). The three-year Bache-lor's and five-year Engineer's programs include compulsory, basic theoretical and specific courses and optional courses from a selected study areas. This system provides for a flexibility of the study, helping students to create their own study profilation. The Bachelor's program ends with a state exam and the defence of a thesis. After 10 semesters, the Engineer's program ends with state exam and the defence of a diploma thesis. In the Engineer's program of the area Food Tech-nology the courses and a topic for diploma thesis are selected by each student based on his/her particular specialization.


The Faculty has accredited the following programs in areas:

Bachelor's program:
o Agrifood Technology
o Applied Biology

Engineer's Program:
o Food Technology

Specializations:
- Plant Foodstuffs
- Animal Foodstuffs

o Biotechnology

Doctoral Program:
o Biotechnology

Our Graduates in the Labour Markets:
Agrifood Sciences and Food Technology graduates will be prepared for work in the professions of technologists in agricultural, processing and food industry enterprises, in market chains, in the services catering for agriculture and food industry, in controlling and inspection institutions, in agricultural and food research and education.

Biotechnology - the curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for their work in biotechnological enterprises, biological and biochemical laboratories, in molecular biology facilities, in organizations of biological services, in interbreeding enterprises, in science, research, and education.

Applied Biology - graduates can be employed in seed and breeding enterprises, research and interbreeding agricultural institutes, in controlling and testing institutions, in research and education, in institutions of civil service and local government on the level of regional and local authorities.

The Departments and Institutes of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences:
o Department of Chemistry
o Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
o Department of Microbiology
o Department of Animal Physiology
o Department of Plant Products Storing and Processing
o Department of Animal Products Evaluation and Processing
o Department of Food Hygiene and Safety
o Department of Wine Industry and Processing of Fruit and Vegetables
o Institute of Experimental Biology
o Institute of Applied Biology
o Institute of Food Technologies
o Institute of Environmental Biotechnology

Strategic Aims of the FBFS in the field of education are especially the following:
o in accordance with Bologna Declaration, to prepare the system of education compatible and comparable with the systems in the EU,
o to complete the system of the transfer of credits,
o to prepare and carry out the transformation of study branches into study curricula in accordance with the Higher Education Act,
o to increase the creativity and to liberalize the study by using modern educational forms and methods,
o to acquire international accreditation of study programs.


Strategic aims of the FBFS in research:
o to actively participate in state projects, state orders, APVT, VEGA and international prog ram of the 6th Framework Program,
o to form common research teams with the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Research Institute of Animal Production, to make research international,
o to intensify the students´ and PhD students' participation in research projects,
o to quantify and regularly innovate research priorities in relation to the development of knowledge and the needs of practice.

Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science
of the SAU in Nitra
Tr. A. Hlinku 2, P. O. Box 40B, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Tel.: +421 37 650 84 11
E-mail: dekfbp@uniag.sk, studfbp@uniag.sk
http://www.fbp.uniag.sk


The Virtual Part of the European Studies and Regional Policy Faculty is a common educational institution of the Visegrad Four countries universities and the universi-ties of the Central-European Initiative, providing educa-tion on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd university levels in those study programs which are accredited at partner universities. The Virtual part of the FESRP was created as an initiative of the SAU in Nitra as well as the Universities which joined the Consortium of Universities. Its aim is to serve the needs of international university programs. The educational programs are coordinated by the Virtual Institutes (Centres of Excellent Educating) established at the FESRP SAU in Nitra and at other cooperating institutions of the Consortium.
The FESRP-VP offers complete education on all levels (as partial, semester, or complete study), short and medium-term courses as well as the courses for applicants from partner universities. Moreover, individual departments offer international courses focused on perspective scien-ce and technology areas, re-training courses and summer schools.
The study is realized in the full-time and part-time forms and in the form of distance study. The FESRP-VP creates conditions for students' mobilities. Applicants can chose from study and science specializations offered by the co-operating universities. Further details about the Centre of Excellent Educating programs are available on the FESRP-VP website (mentioned on next page).

Further information on the organisation of the study at Faculty can be found on the web


Consortium of cooperated universities with established Centres of Excellent Educating

SLOVAKIA
SPU Nitra
TU Zvolen

CZECH REPUBLIC
JU České Budějovice
MZLU Brno

HUNGARY
Szent István University, Gödöllő
West Hungarian University, FA Mosonmagyaróvár
Tessedik Sámuel College, Szarvas
University of Veszprém, Georgikon FA

POLAND
Main University of Rural Economy Warsawa
Agricultural University Poznan
Agricultural University Krakow
Agricultural University Wroclaw

AUSTRIA
BOKU Vienna

HOLLAND
Wageningen University

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Agricultural University Saratov
University of Environmental Management Moscow
University of Agricultural Engineering Moscow

Faculty of European Studies and Regional Policy is an international coordinate educational centre for Central and East European students with the participation of the EU universities. The establishment of this institution is a result of 10 years of experiences acquired from our participation in abroad range of international coope-ration within the PHARE and TEMPUS projects.

The Virtual Faculty part draws on the existing accredited study programs and specializations. They will be co-ordinated by the FESRP-VP SAU in Nitra, in close co-operation with national coordinators from partner universities, appointed after the Consortium reciprocal agreement. The Virtual Faculty allows students from co-operated universities to use the courses offered by the Centres of Excellent Educating and focused on chosen study areas. The cooperated institutions will agree to
the use of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) in the partial or semester forms of study.

There is also a possibility to complete 2nd or 3rd edu-cational level programs (Master's and Doctoral ones).

Bachelor's Program
Bachelor study is triennial (6 semesters) with a state exam consisting of the defence of a bachelor final thesis. Graduates are awarded the academic degree of "Bachelor" (Bc).
The full-time study at partner universities is conditioned by a working knowledge of the language of a country in which the university is situated. Graduates can apply for a study on a higher educational level also at other universities of "the Consortium."

Master's Program (Engineer's)
Master's study lasts 5 years (10 semesters), or, for graduates of the 1st level, it is biennial (connected with the bachelor's degree). The study is completed with a state exam which consists of the defence of a thesis. Graduates are awarded the academic degree of "Engi-neer" (Ing.). This degree is equal to the Master of Science (MSc.) degree granted at foreign universities. Full-time study taking place at partner universities requires knowledge of language of a country in which the university is situated. Graduates can apply for a complete or partial PhD study also at other universities of "the Consortium."

Doctoral Program
Doctoral study is offered to graduates of the 2nd level in the form of scientific education. The FESRP-VP will pro-vide:
o Complete study program at the SAU in Nitra,
o Short term stay focused on partial scientific tasks,
o Possibility of completing the study at cooperated universities.
Doctoral study lasts 3 years in the full-time form and 5 years in the part-time form. Part of the Doctoral study is working on a dissertation and its defence. Graduates are awarded the academic degree of "Philosophiae Doctor" (PhD).
Foreign students can use their command of a national language of a country in which particular institution is situated or English and German languages. During the
work on their dissertation, PhD students can also apply for a study stay at the Centres of Excellent Educating.

International courses
International courses are offered at all cooperated universities. The Consortium coordinates their thematic orientation, in order to avoid duplication. Courses have a form of partial study with a modular system. Credits are transferable in the whole range of the ECTS. Particular modules are created on an ad hoc basis and are subject to the approval of the management of the university involved. A module consists of 4-5 courses taught by teachers from different countries. Modular system allows creating a flexible program based on the needs of students and the University.


Summer school
Summer schools are organized as 2-4 week mobilities. Graduates are awarded a certificate. The thematic composition is aimed at the extension of knowledge from a chosen area, possibly at spending a Summer holiday with educational activities in natural conditions of a country in which the univer-sity is situated.


Postgraduate programs
Postgraduate study programs are offered in unique and perspective areas of science and technology, in the form of 1-2 semester study stays and are based on the actual demand. The graduates can study in centres of excellent universities.


Faculty of European Studies and Regional Policy
Trieda A. Hlinku 2, P. O. Box 40B, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Tel.: +421 37 6511 560; Fax: +421 37 6511 560
E-mail: fesrp@uniag.sk
http://www.fesrp-vc.uniag.sk


Scientific and Research Activities

Science and research are an integral part of the SAU life. They exist as the second most important area of SAU activities. The University pays great attention to its support and development in all departments and at all management levels.

The following are the main aims and priorities of research at the University:
o a purposeful connection of research with the educational process as well as with production programmes in agriculture and the food industry,
o the application of research results for the following activities:

o sustainable development of agricultural production in the Slovak Republic,
o creation of a high quality environment in a stable, urbanised country capable of using its agricultural resources as well, observing the requirements and needs for the protection and creation of landscape as a whole,
o creating conditions for the required Slovak Republic's self-suffiency in the production of healthy food and other agricultural products for rational human nutrition.

The basic aims and priorities of the SAU research policy are manifested in the thematic structuring of research projects.

The thematic structure of the SAU research activities is as follows:
o development of basic agricultural sciences and their efficient linking with the:

o biological sciences,
o technical sciences,
o economical sciences,
o technological sciences,
o social sciences,

o development of accredited scientific and study fields,
o
focusing on current as well as future tasks and aims of Slovak agriculture, meeting the requirements of dealing with global problems of humankind.

The following are the main subject areas of the SAU research activities:
o in the area of global problems the emphasis is especially laid on:

o landscape protection and development,
o environment,
o human nutrition,
o food safety,
o protection of biodiversity,
o transformation of education,
o climactic change,
o renewal of the countryside and the development of villages,
o protection of cultural heritage and natural resources,
o renewable energy sources,

o in the area of biologisation and ecologisation of agriculture especially on:

o biotechnologies,
o biodiversity,
o biofood,
o sustainable development,
o biomonitoring,
o production of energy from biomass,

o in plant production especially on:

o efficient use of crop yield potential,
o rational use of agrochemicals,
o sustainable use of grass ecosystems,
o biological plant protection methods,
o energy-saving systems of land tillage and fertilisation,
o development of integrated and ecological systems of land management,
o application of modern biotechnological methods for influencing the production process in plant production,

o in animal production especially on:

o analysis of the occurrence of toxic matters in the human food chain,
o homeostasis of milking cows during production and the reproduction cycle,
o identification of marker genes conditioning and regulating the development of utility values of significant farm animal species,
o influence of technological systems innovations on the quality of milk and meat,
o biological-technological rationalisation of the production of competitive animal products,

o in the area of economic and social sciences especially on:

o exploring the influence of agrarian policy on the formation of integrating-economic and agritrade structures,
o restructuring and revitalisation of businesses,
o analysis of sector models in the creation and valuation of alternative scenarios of agrarian policy in the process of economic integration to the EU,
o development of the countryside and the designing of rural development policy according to the EU´s requirements,
o modelling the SR´s population reproduction on the basis of regional differentiation,
o improvement of property legislation and land fund protection,

o in the area of technical sciences especially on:

o research into the influence of land tillage on the qualities of a seed bed in the growing of sugar beet, cereals, potatoes, and root vegetables, physical-mechanical technologies for an efficient ecological reduction of the Colorado beetle,
o technical-technological rationalisation of production and processing of selected agricultural products,
o theoretical analysis and experimental verification of combustion engines, transmission and hydraulic mechanisms of tractors from the aspect of the application of biological liquids,
o modelling of agricultural machinery reliability with regard to the ecologisation and safety of their operation,
o project of biogas technology for the processing of biological materials and research into possibilities of its application as a regenerative energy source,
o research and design of machines for the treatment and collection of grass covers in mountainous and sub-mountainous areas of Slovakia,
o agrophysical qualities of biological materials, energetic and ecological aspects of interaction between the soil and the wheels of mobile energy means,
o construction-technological design of small production technologies for the processing and storing of fruits,

o in the area of horticulture and landscape engineering especially on:

o morphogenetic, agroecological, and production processes,
o quality of fruits and vegetables,
o modelling of fruit wood production processes,
o agroecological and agrobiological examination of plum pox, o development of growing systems and complementary irrigation of fruit root vegetable, non-traditional vegetable species, table and most varieties of grape-vine, currants and peaches,
o blocking of the intake of heavy metals and NO3 by a grown vegetable,
o management of invasion plant species - biodiversity,
o ecological stability of the country - questions of ecological stability land systems,
o influence of the arrangement and application of agricultural landscape for the movement of water with regard to integrated soil and water protection,
o influence of climactic changes on agriculture,
o urban and architectonic problems of rural settlements,
o humanisation and aesthetic creation of the rural landscape.

Most of the projects are the grant and institutional ones.

International relations and Cooperation
International relations are of a cross-section nature in the life of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra. The realization of international cooperation is varied and its forms have been dynamically developing. The activities of international cooperation of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra may classified into several areas, such as:

1. International programs and projects
Because of their importance, international projects are one of the key activities, specifically from the point of direct profit for the material and professional development of SAU departments and divisions. Several international programs, including educa-tional and research ones, have been realized.

I. Programs and projects in the field of education:
A. SOCRATES,
B. LEONARDO da VINCI,
C. CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies),
D. TEMPUS,
E. Action AUSTRIA-SLOVAKIA.
F. Czech-Slovak Cooperation

II. Programs and projects in the field of research and science:
A. 5th FP - 6th Frame program,
B. PHARE,
C. COST,
D. INCO-COPERNICUS,
E. ISPA,
F. SAPARD.

2. Bilateral agreements and inter-university contacts
The Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra has conclu-ded bilateral agreements "Memorandum of Under-standing" with 45 foreign partners (see table in p. 23) from 21 countries of Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. The agreements help develop an inter-university cooperation in the fields of education and research.

3. Membership in international academic organizations
Membership in international academic organizations is an important key to the creation of conditions for incorporation into international projects, to gain new information about the latest trends in university development, education or research. At the same time, it is a means of making new contacts as well as of the promotion of the SAU.
The SAU is a member of the following organizations:
AUDEM - Alliance of Universities for Democracy,
IAU - International Association of Universities,
ICA - Interuniversity Consortium for Agricultural and Related Sciences in Europe,
GCHERA - Global Consortium of Higher Education and Research for Agriculture.
Membership in these international organizations is the key to engaging SAU in new international programs and to gaining new information about the latest trends in university education development.

Centre of Information an Communication Technology
The aim of the Centre of Information and Communication Technology is to provide complex services that would cover the needs of the University in the field of information and computer technology and sciences.
The Centre provides the following services.
o creation and development of application computer programs,
o building and administration of the University com puter network,
o consultancy and training of students and university staff in the use of computer technology,
o development of a regional gateway of the nationwide computer network SANET,
o overseeing the operation of student information systems and economic agenda, www, FTP and servers.

Students Hostels and Refectories
The SAU students have at their disposal the following 5 student hostels:
o A. Bernolák SH offers 346 beds in double-bed rooms,
o Mladost SH with 1,159 beds in one- up to four-bed rooms,
o Nová doba SH offers 778 beds in double- and three-bed rooms,
o Pribina SH offers 504 beds in three- and five-bed rooms,
o Pod Zoborom SH is intended for married student couples.

The Refectories in the SH Mladost and A. Bernolák provide full board to students.


Congress Centre
The SAU new Congress Centre is equipped with the most modern multimedia technology and equipment for simultaneous translation into four foreign languages whose value reaches over 5 million Slovak crowns. It was opened at the end of 1999. It is a part of the board and lodgings complex which was built in the early 1990s. The Congress Hall has 320-360 seats, meeting the highest criteria for the organization of even the most demanding scientific events, international symposia or other social events.


Institute of Education, Research and Consultancy (IERC)
The IERC is a specific SAU facility. At present, it contri-butes, together with the University Experimental Farm, to a purposeful and effective interconnection of educa-tional, research and consultancy activities of individual SAU departments and facilities. It creates good condi-tions not only for the organization of all types and forms of study provided by the SAU, but also for various courses, seminars, social events, etc.
For these purposes the IESC offers:
o three multi-purpose classrooms, each containing 70 seats,
o a conference hall with 30 seats,
o a special computer technology classroom for 15 participants,
o full board and lodging.

University Farm (UF)
The UF is a specialised SAU facility with the following main aims:
o creating conditions for practical education of the SAU students and for the verification of results achieved in the SAU staff research projects,
o providing demonstration, promotion and consultancy activities for the professional public,
o carrying out production and agricultural, food industry and other services, connected with educational and research activities.
The UF uses 2,305 hectares of farmland.

Educational and Treining Facility - Rackova dolina
The Educational and Training Facility is located in the western part of the High Tatras. It is set in a beautiful natural landscape, filled with peace and clean, healthy air. The visitors can make use of a sauna, fitness centre and sports fields. In winter there are opportunities for skiing, sledding and bobsleighing. The Facility has its own ski lift.

University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age, as a part of a lifelong education, has a long-standing tradition. So far this specific form of education, intended especially for senior citizens, has produced approx. 1,000 graduates in various study fields (for example horticulture, winegrowing, economics and management, accoun-ting, agri-tourism, nutrition, health, etc.).

Local Centre of Distant Education
Nowadays, lifelong education in our constantly learning society has become a necessity. The system of adult education typically emphasises the need for open and flexible methods of study that allow the choosing of a subject, time and place of study according to the needs of a student. One of the new technologies of education is distance education. It is economically more advanta-geous for both potential students and the government. In many European countries it has been under way since the 1970s. The Local Centre of Distant Education of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra focuses its activities on the promotion and dissemination of information about this progressive method of acquiring professional qualifications, as well as on the methodical guidance and creation of necessary conditions for the operation of the Centre.

Educational and Training Facility - Tennis Centre
The Tennis Centre was opened in 1985. During the next 15 years of its existence it has been modernised with some newly built facilities. Present Tennis Centre consists of:
o 9 clay courts, the central one with a spectator stand for 800 people and 4 courts with artificial lighting,
o 1 concrete court,
o two tennis halls with 4 courts covered by top Green Seet surface,
o two-storey referee's tower with a view on 7 courts, "Tennis bar" with indoor and outdoor terrace with 100 seats,
o "Tennis hotel" with the capacity of 28 beds and a bar, _fitness centre, workshop, storing facilities, clubroom with refreshments,
o medical room,
o cloakrooms
o toilets,
o a hairdresser's and pedicure,
o bowling (two alleys) with refreshments
o "Sports centre" - swimming pool (11 × 7m), services, squash (two courts),

The sports achievements of the SAU Tennis Club AX - Výstavníctvo (Exhibitions) as well as their organisation of significant sports events have made the Tennis Centre known throughout Europe. The Club's members have won world and European championships, Slovak championships, medals at the World University Games and many successes at tournaments throughout the world, thus successfully representing not only the Slovak Agricultural University, but also the City of Nitra and Slovakia. Players from all over the world have appeared at satellite tournaments organised since 1991. The Tennis Club offers all sorts of tennis activities: recrea-tional and professional tennis for all age levels.


Association of Sports Clubs
Association of Sports Clubs The Association of Sports Clubs was established in 1952. During its existence it has achieved many sports succe-sses and has held several nation-wide and international competitions: The University Games, The Slovak Aca-demic Championships, The Men's Volleyball World Championships, The Danube Cup in men's volleyball. The following sections are registered in the Association of Sports Clubs: volleyball, basketball, handball, swimming, bodybuilding, equestrian, chess, triathlon, tennis, as well as the section of recreational physical education and sport. Nowadays it has more than 1,500 members, mostly SAU students and staff.

Students Culural Activity Club
The university study does not mean just sitting over textbooks or at a lecture. Student life has various colours and forms that remain in one's memory for the rest of one's life. The SAU students have many opportunities to spend their time with their hobbies and relaxing.
The University's best-known artistic group, the folklore ensemble Zobor, has been successfully performing for four decades. The Zobor is known in Slovakia as well as in other countries. Hundreds of SAU students have once been its members. The authorial theatre Divadielko na Osmičke has also entered the fourth quarter of its exis-tence. The theatre performs once or twice a year and its performances have become an integral part of matri-culations and other student socialising events. And the Krížom-krážom (Criss-Cross) Theatre has emerged as its great rival. In recent years many music bands performing music of various styles have originated at the SAU. There is a long tradition of student hostel radio stations. The Mladosť hostel even boasts its own hostel TV studio.
Sportsmen do not lack the opportunities for active exercising either. Hardly any other Slovak university provides such good conditions for sports as the SAU. There are sports fields at the Mladosť hostel, tennis courts, and for fans of skiing and hiking the instruction and training centre in Račková Dolina.
The City of Nitra itself offers many opportunities to pleasantly spend one's free time. One can choose the Andrej Bagar Theatre, the Puppet Theatre, museums, galleries or the Stará Pekáreň club. The Nitra Castle, the under-castle area, the old town and Calvary Hill, all attract those who are fond of history. The surroundings of Nitra can be characterised as a tourist paradise.

Student organisations
Student interest organizations and professional organi-sations offer to young people new activities in the field of international co-operation, improving their command of foreign languages, as well as providing space for the exchange of experience with young people all over the world.

There is a branch of an international association of economic and trade university students, AISEC, at the SAU. It is the largest student organization in the world, founded by the initiative of the FEM students in 1992. It focuses on two fundamental program - an international exchange program ITEP and a global thematic prog-ramme GTP.
The national centre of The International Association of Agricultural Students (IAAS) has operated at the SAU since 1994. It is a non-governmental, non-beneficial and non-political organization that brings together students of agriculture, forestry, food industry and other related areas. It has approx. 100,000 members from more than 40 countries and has approx. 100 local agencies. Its goal is to support contacts among students, exchange information, and organize exchange work practice and seminars.

The ELASA Slovakia is the youngest interest organization for students operating in Slovakia. Its members are the students of garden and landscape architecture. It was established in the Netherlands in 1991 and is connected with all international professional associations of garden architecture. The goal of the Slovak branch is to promote gardening companies, organization of seminars, profe-ssional lectures, excursions and practices of the FHLE students.

Centre of Baltic University
The Centre of Baltic University was founded in 1998 through the signing of a contract between the Baltic University in Uppsala and the Slovak Agricultural Uni-versity in Nitra. As a result of the contract the Centre of the Baltic University for the Slovak and Czech Republics was created to co-ordinate the activities within a regional network of the universities of the Baltic region. The Centre's role is to harmonize and enlarge the Baltic University Program in the region. It concentrates on the exchange of information and contacts between the Slovak and Czech universities, provides for a daily contact with the Uppsala University Co-ordination Cen-tre, organizes national conferences for teachers and students on course instruction, carries out necessary administration services for the program activities, negotiates the participation of students at teacher's conferences, in summer camps, on excursions and cruises. The Baltic University Centre publishes infor-mation and other materials providing space for parti-cipating universities to express their experience.
conferences, in summer camps, on excursions and cruises. The Baltic University Centre publishes infor-mation and other materials providing space for parti-cipating universities to express their experience.

Centre for Education and Verification of Knowledge in the Area of IT
The Centre for Education and Verification of Knowledge in the Area of Information Technologies InfoTech originated as a consequence of the activities connected with accession to the European Union and open global labour market, for which it will be necessary to have a good command of foreign languages and also to be able to use information technology on a daily basis. The centre has been established by the Rector and caters not only for the university, but for the whole of Slovakia as well. Its aim is to provide training in the area of information technologies. The staff are professionals in the subject area, coming from computer centres at individual faculties as well as a central computer centre and the departments providing the teaching of infor-mation technologies. They have rich experience in the organization of appropriate courses and training - for example, providing fundamentals of the work with PC, antivirus protection, MS Windows and applications, Unix operation system, the Internet, and the creation of hypertext and multimedia documents.
antivirus protection, MS Windows and applications, Unix operation system, the Internet, and the creation of hypertext and multimedia documents.

Advisory Centre for the EU Legislation
The process of integration of the Slovak Republic to the European structures puts primary emphasis on the approximation of our legal norms with EU legislation. According to Article 10 of the SAU Status, the Advisory Centre for the EU Legislation is an information unit, facilitating the application of knowledge acquired within the project focused on the European Union's legislation in agriculture. It was founded in 1997 within the project Tempus JET 11100: European Law in Agriculture and Land Management.
The Advisory Centre of the EU Legislation is located at the Department of Law in the Faculty of Economics and Management of the SAU.

 
last update 13.01.2005