The Slovak University of Agriculture (SUA) in Nitra, founded in 1952 and established under Act 131/2002 Coll of Laws, is a premier public institution in Slovakia offering accredited Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral programmes, as well as lifelong learning opportunities. Recognised for its high-quality teaching and research, SUA maintains strong ties with local and regional communities and actively engages in international collaboration. The university plays a vital role in economic regeneration through partnerships with businesses and industry and by embracing new information and communication technologies.
SUA specialises in a wide range of agricultural and related fields, including agricultural production, biotechnology, food technology, agricultural machinery engineering, automation, energy facilities in agriculture, landscape design, economics, management, international trade, marketing, and rural tourism development. The university’s mission is to be a world leader in research and teaching, contributing significantly to human knowledge and understanding while equipping graduates with the skills needed for economic and societal contributions.
Nitra, where SUA is located, is a prominent Slovak region known for its agricultural heritage and serves as a hub for food and beverage (F&B) production. The region’s strategic location supports efficient transportation and connectivity, enhancing its role as a logistical centre. Despite its strengths, Nitra faces challenges such as the slow adoption of digital technologies in the F&B sector, a significant skills gap in digital and green technologies, financial constraints for SMEs, complex regulatory compliance, and sustainability concerns.
The Faculty of Engineering at SUA is integral to the agri-food sector, fostering collaboration with businesses and industries. It contributes to economic revitalisation through research focused on automating agricultural and food industry production processes, with expertise in mobile robotics, sensing technologies, inertial navigation systems, and precise application of pesticides and fertilisers. The faculty also explores field mapping, water management, strategic planning, innovative irrigation technology, and data processing and analysis.
The DigiFABS project, aligned with the Faculty of Engineering, aims to advance digital technologies in agriculture, enhance research, and foster industry collaboration. The project supports the faculty’s commitment to integrating technologies such as automation, robotics, and IoT into agricultural practices, improving productivity and sustainability. It provides students with practical digital and green skills, preparing them for careers in the F&B sector. By partnering with local SMEs, DigiFABS strengthens industry ties and supports regional economic revitalisation, with a focus on sustainability and efficient resource use.
Key members of the SUA team in the DigiFABS project include Prof. Ing. Zuzana Palková, PhD., and Prof. Ing. Miroslav Žitňák, PhD. Prof. Palková, a specialist in digital technologies and innovative educational methodologies, has extensive experience in IoT, robotics, sensors, drones, and machine learning in agriculture. Her involvement in international projects like Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ highlights her leadership capabilities. Prof. Žitňák brings expertise in occupational health and safety (OHS) and safety management systems, ensuring that digital transformations adhere to safety standards. His practical experience includes risk analysis in agricultural technology and training in machinery operation.
The Slovak University of Agriculture contributes significant knowledge and resources in agricultural sciences and technologies, with a focus on integrating modern technologies into agricultural practices, aligning with DigiFABS’ goals. Their involvement in EU-funded projects showcases their project management and implementation capabilities.
Participating in the DigiFABS project offers numerous benefits for the Nitra region, SUA, students, Slovak SMEs, and Slovakia as a whole. For Nitra, the project will drive economic growth by enhancing digital transformation and innovation in the F&B sector, creating new job opportunities, and retaining talent. SUA will gain research excellence and refine educational programs, better-preparing students for industry demands and fostering global collaborations.
Students will benefit from access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative teaching methods, improving their job readiness and career prospects. Slovak SMEs will gain a competitive edge through increased productivity, efficiency, and market competitiveness, supported by the university’s research and expertise.
On a national level, DigiFABS will position Slovakia as a leader in digital transformation within the agricultural sector, contributing to national economic growth, enhancing digital skills, and strengthening the labor market. Overall, the project promises economic growth, job creation, technological advancement, research excellence, curriculum enhancement, global collaboration, skill development, increased employability, practical experience, competitive edge, resource access, sustainability, national innovation, economic development, and workforce development for all stakeholders.
