Erasmus ULST

Between 08.12.2025-11.12.2025 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Florina Radu from the Faculty of Food Engineering and Lecturer Dr. Ing. Popescu Iuliana from the Faculty of Agriculture, of the University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara carried out an Erasmus+ staff training mobility (STT) at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb, Republic of Croatia. The main objective of this mobility was to strengthen the expertise in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into modern biotechnological applications, with a focus on sustainable food systems, precision fermentation, and bio based circular economy solutions. During the 3 days training, the staffs participated in a structured program consisting of workshops (AI for Sustainable Biotechnology: Introduction to machine learning models used in enzyme engineering, metabolic pathway prediction, and strain improvement; Deep Learning in Food Safety: Demonstrations of neural networks for detecting contaminants, predicting microbial growth, and classifying spoilage patterns; AI Enhanced Circular Bioeconomy: Case studies on valorizing agricultural by products using AI optimized fermentation and extraction processes) and laboratory training (Hands on training with AI assisted bioreactor monitoring systems; Introduction to automated image based microbial colony counting and quality assessment). The training provided cutting edge knowledge on AI applications in biotechnology and opened new avenues for research, teaching innovation, and sustainable development initiatives.
During this visit they had discussions with Vice-dean for science, Prof. PhD. Ivana Radojčić Redovniković, Head of the Committee for International Relations, Prof. PhD Antonio Starčević, Head of Laboratory for Cereal Chemistry and Technology, Assoc Prof. PhD Nikolina Čukelj Mustač, and with host research assistants Ivona Elez Garofulić and Maksym Shmatkov respectively. The meetings provided an excellent framework for identified pathways for developing future joint research proposal on AI supported valorization of food industry by products and gained access to opensource AI tools and datasets that can be used in teaching and research and organizing reciprocal staff visits and student mobility opportunities.

Between December 8–12, 2025, a delegation from the Faculty of Agriculture, Lect. Dr. Dancea Lucrețiu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stroia Ciprian, Lect. Dr. Prunar Florin, Lect. Dr. Prunar Silvia, carried out an Erasmus+ teaching mobility at Akdeniz University, Antalya (Turkey).

The main objectives of the mobility were academic exchange and teaching topics related to agricultural ecology and the analysis of the impact of rural development on natural values, with a strong focus on the application of modern analytical tools such as GIS, European databases, monitoring indicators, and climate risk assessment (water scarcity, drought, floods, and heat waves).

During the visit, activities included meetings and applied discussions with university students as well as international PhD candidates, contributing to a valuable academic dialogue and strengthening collaboration between academic communities.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent hospitality, support, and institutional involvement, especially to:
Ayşe TUĞCAN – International Relations Office, Erasmus+ Incoming Student and Staff
Assoc. Prof. Rahmiye Figen CEYLAN
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Makbule Nisa MENCET YELBOGA
Prof. Dr. Mustafa ERKAN
Prof. Dr. Ramazan Cengiz AKDENIZ – Dean
and to the entire team of Akdeniz University – Faculty of Agriculture.

The ULST Erasmus+ team was awarded yesterday, during the ULST Excellence Gala, the Excellence Diploma for outstanding results within the Erasmus+ Programme in 2025.
The award was granted by Prof. dr. Camen Dorin, the Vice rector for International Relations, to the Director of International Relations Department and Erasmus+ Institutional Coordinator, Assoc.prof.dr. Raul Pascalau.
This award goes to the entire Eramsus+ team from all the 6 faculties, and also to the administrative one, for their continous support and involvment in the Erasmus+ programme and implementation! Thank you, dear colleagues!🙏
Congratulations to all those being awarded or nomminated yesterday!