AgroBioTech Research Centre officially opened at SUA

On October 15, the Research Centre AgroBioTech was ceremonially opened at the premises of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra.

On October 15, the Research Centre AgroBioTech was ceremonially opened at the premises of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra.

Since April 2013 until November 2015, the SUA in Nitra in cooperation with the University of Constantine the Philosopher (UCP) and the Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology of the SAS implemented a joint project the Building of Research Centre “AgroBioTech”, co-financed from the EU structural funds within the Operational Programme  Research and Development, the state budget and financial resources of the university. The two pavilions underwent a successful reconstruction with a total area of 5,800 m² at the SUA. These pavilions form the spatial essence of the AgroBioTech Research Centre, including 30 laboratories. The new research university workplace was ceremonially opened by the  SUA Rector Prof. Peter Bielik. The invitation to the opening was received by the Minister of Agriculture Ľubomír Janhátek, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education Vladimír Kováčik, the Rector of UCP Prof. Ľubomír Zelenický, the Director of the Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Prof. Ján Salaj, the Chairman of the Nitra Self-governing Region Milan Belica, the Mayor of Nitra Jozef Dvonč, the Nitra seat bishop Mons. Viliam Judák, as well as by  other representatives of political and social life, the representatives of domestic and foreign universities and faculty representatives.

As the Rector Prof. Peter Bielik informed, the project puts great emphasis on the knowledge transfer from academia to economic practice, whether in terms of cooperation with the businesses on research and development, the transfer of innovative ideas into practice and establishment the support of start-ups and spin-offs. The university Centre AgroBioTech will enable the research at the international level, applicable in practice and cohesion on the core needs of priority topics in agro-biology, technology of processing of agricultural products and agro-foods, biotechnology, genetic technology, agro-ecology and bio-energy. At the opening of this new stand of science was said many times the word "unique". The AgroBioTech Research Centre disposes of several unique devices and facilities not only within  Slovakia, but also in Central Europe such as a transmission  electron microscope, automated line for phenotyping of plants, analyzer of composition of human body, gasifier for biomass processing, apparatus for instrumental sensory analysis - an electronic eye, electronic nose and electronic tongue, and more.

"We rightly expect that the AgroBioTech Research Centre will enhance our involvement in solutions of the framework programmes of the European Union and Horizon 2020 strategy. The research consortiums are competing for the participation in these programmes, and to become a part of them, they must know about us and we must have something to offer. In the field of biotechnology and food sciences, physiology and eco-physiology production of plants, sensory evaluation of food, we have already achieved excellent results," said the Rector. Regarding the employment, creation of new jobs and keeping young PhD students at the university is foreseen. However, the project will have a positive impact on jobs in enterprises. "We expect that the results of research and related training, the level of which this investment will significantly improve, will help to stabilize employment in enterprises in Slovakia in a much larger extent than we currently can imagine," he said in his speech Prof. P. Bielik.

The priority objective of applied research will be applicable in practice. The space for better link between university, research and economic practice that creates a specialized department – the SUA Transfer Centre which activities are focused on promoting the transfer, evaluation and use of knowledge respectively technology, scientific research from academic sphere into the commercial sphere.

The Rector of UCP Prof. Ľubomír Zelenický and the Director Prof.Ján Salaj in their speeches informed about the research institutes within the project Building of Research Centre „AgroBioTech“ in the premises of their institutions and they expressed their gratefulness for the principal cooperation partner – the SUA. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Education Vladimír Kováčik emphasized that the AgroBioTech Research Centre was established with the financial support from the EU funds and he highlighted its interconnection with the practice through applied research.

Within the opening of the AgroBioTech Research Centre, a visit of laboratories took place and then, in the Centre Congress Hall a series of lectures of leading experts were presented.

Opening Ceremony of the AgroBio Tech Research Centre