Agricultural University - Plovdiv Participates in Erasmus+ Global Week 2026

From 15 to 19 June 2026, the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Portugal, hosted the international initiative Erasmus+ Global Week 2026, bringing together representatives of higher education institutions and organizations from various countries.

Representing the Agricultural University - Plovdiv at the event were: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavlin Vasilev from the Department of Entomology, Chief Assist. Prof. Dr. Aneliya Popova from the Department of Viticulture and Pomology, Radka Petrova from the Career Development and Business Relations Centre, and Nikol Staneva from the Centre for International Affairs and Public Relations.

The week’s programme featured a series of lectures and discussions under the theme “Partnerships that Matter: Responsible and Impact-Driven International Cooperation”. The sessions explored how meaningful and effective partnerships can contribute to the sustainable and responsible internationalization of higher education. Speakers included representatives of the University Kuala Lumpur, the Portuguese Erasmus+ National Agency and academic staff from the Polytechnic University of Coimbra. Participants were also introduced to the initiatives of the UNIgreen Alliance, while special attention was given to the role of personal connections in building sustainable inter-university partnerships. Discussions addressed various aspects of communication between administrative and academic structures, emphasizing that personal acquaintance among colleagues often facilitates and enhances collaborative work.

During the first two days of the programme, an international picnic and a university fair were organized. The picnic provided participants with the opportunity to present traditional food and beverages from their respective countries, while the fair enabled them to showcase their institutions’ activities, study programmes and cooperation opportunities to students and fellow colleagues. The event also included several cultural and educational visits, featuring a tour of the city of Coimbra, as well as visits to Mira and Carapelhos.

On the final day, participants visited the agricultural campus of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, where they learned about its educational and research activities and were introduced to part of the agricultural production developed within the university.

Participation in Erasmus+ Global Week 2026 provided valuable opportunities for the exchange of experience, the establishment of new international partnerships and the expansion of cooperation in the fields of education, research and academic mobility.