On 12–13 March 2026, Warsaw University of Technology (WUT), Poland, hosted the kick-off meeting of the international project AGROPATH – Advanced Geomatics and Remote Observation for Precision Agriculture in Higher Education, implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme.
The two-day meeting marked an important starting point for the implementation of AGROPATH, bringing together representatives of the project consortium to establish a common understanding of the project’s objectives, planned activities, expected results, and institutional responsibilities. The meeting also provided an opportunity for partners to discuss practical aspects of cooperation and coordinate the first steps towards the modernisation of agricultural education through advanced geospatial and digital technologies.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR MODERN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
The AGROPATH consortium brings together nine partner institutions from five countries – Ukraine, Poland, Slovenia, Greece, and Moldova. The project is coordinated by Lviv Polytechnic National University (LPNU), Ukraine.
The consortium includes:
- Lviv Polytechnic National University (LPNU) – Project Coordinator, Ukraine;
- Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) – Poland;
- University of Maribor (UM) – Slovenia;
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) – Greece;
- National University of Water and Environmental Engineering (NUWEE) – Ukraine;
- Vinnytsia National Agrarian University (VNAU) – Ukraine;
- National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBIP) – Ukraine;
- Technical University of Moldova (TUM) – Moldova;
- Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University of Chișinău (UPSC) – Moldova.
The partnership combines expertise in geomatics, geodesy, geoinformatics, Earth observation, agricultural engineering, agronomy, digital technologies, and higher education. This interdisciplinary cooperation creates a strong foundation for developing educational solutions that respond to the ongoing digital transformation of agriculture.
MODERNISING AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
The main objective of AGROPATH is to contribute to the modernisation of agricultural higher education by integrating advanced geomatics, geoinformation technologies, Earth observation, satellite technologies, and digital solutions for precision agriculture into educational programmes.
Modern agriculture increasingly relies on spatial data, satellite observations, GNSS technologies, unmanned aerial systems, digital mapping, geoinformation analysis, and data-driven decision-making. As a result, agricultural professionals require new interdisciplinary competencies that combine traditional agricultural knowledge with expertise in geospatial and digital technologies.
AGROPATH addresses these challenges by strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions to provide students and professionals with relevant knowledge and practical skills required by the modern agricultural sector.
During the kick-off meeting, the partners discussed how the project’s activities could contribute to bridging the gap between technological innovation and university education, ensuring that graduates are better prepared to work in an increasingly digital and technology-driven agricultural environment.
DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
A major focus of the discussions was the development and modernisation of educational content related to precision agriculture, geomatics, Earth observation, and geoinformation technologies.
The partners discussed approaches to updating existing educational programmes and developing new educational components that will provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in applying modern technologies to agricultural tasks.
Particular attention was given to interdisciplinary education, as precision agriculture requires expertise from several fields, including agronomy, agricultural engineering, geodesy, land management, remote sensing, GIS, and data analysis.
The project therefore aims to create educational opportunities that connect these areas and help students understand how geospatial data and digital technologies can be applied to real agricultural challenges.
DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN GEOMATICS LABORATORIES
Another important area discussed during the meeting was the development and improvement of modern geomatics laboratories at partner universities.
These laboratories are expected to provide an environment where students and academic staff can gain practical experience with technologies used in precision agriculture and geospatial analysis.
Modern laboratory infrastructure will support practical training involving geoinformation systems, Earth observation data, satellite positioning technologies, digital mapping, and other tools relevant to precision agriculture.
The development of such infrastructure is particularly important for strengthening the practical component of higher education and enabling students to work with technologies and datasets similar to those increasingly used by agricultural enterprises and technology companies.
TRAINING FOR STUDENTS, ACADEMIC STAFF, AND PROFESSIONALS
The participants also discussed the organisation of educational and training activities for students, academic staff, and professionals from the agricultural sector.
An important element of AGROPATH is the exchange of knowledge and experience between partner institutions. Cooperation with European universities provides opportunities to share teaching practices, methodologies, technological expertise, and experience in integrating digital technologies into higher education.
Training activities planned within the project will contribute to the professional development of academic staff and support the introduction of new educational approaches at partner universities.
At the same time, cooperation with representatives of the agricultural sector will help ensure that educational content reflects the actual technological developments and competency needs of modern agriculture.
DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
The partners also discussed the development of a digital educational environment to support teaching, learning, knowledge exchange, and access to educational materials created within AGROPATH.
Digital educational resources are expected to complement traditional teaching approaches and make project results more accessible to students, academic staff, and other interested stakeholders.
Such an environment will also facilitate cooperation among partner institutions and contribute to the wider dissemination and long-term use of educational materials developed during the project.
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND RECOVERY
An important part of the discussions concerned the broader role of education and technology in supporting sustainable agricultural development and the recovery of communities affected by the war in Ukraine.
Geospatial technologies, Earth observation, and digital agriculture can provide valuable tools for monitoring agricultural land, assessing changes in land use, supporting resource management, and improving the efficiency of agricultural production.
Developing relevant competencies among students and professionals can therefore contribute not only to the digital transformation of agriculture but also to strengthening the capacity of educational institutions and communities to respond to current and future challenges.
The project seeks to connect education, technological innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices, creating opportunities for universities to play an active role in supporting the development and recovery of the agricultural sector.
VISIT TO THE FACULTY OF GEODESY AND CARTOGRAPHY
As part of the programme, the AGROPATH partners visited the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography at Warsaw University of Technology.
The visit provided an opportunity to become acquainted with the Faculty’s laboratory infrastructure, educational facilities, and approaches to teaching and research in the fields of geodesy, cartography, geoinformatics, and related geospatial disciplines.
Participants discussed how laboratory experience and technological expertise available at partner universities could contribute to the development of educational infrastructure and practical training within AGROPATH.
The visit also provided additional opportunities to exchange academic experience and explore possibilities for further institutional cooperation, joint educational activities, and knowledge transfer among consortium members.
COORDINATING THE NEXT STEPS OF AGROPATH
A significant part of the kick-off meeting was devoted to project coordination and the organisation of future activities.
The partners discussed their respective responsibilities, the sequence of planned activities, approaches to internal communication, dissemination of project results, and mechanisms for ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes.
The meeting enabled consortium members to establish a shared understanding of the project implementation process and identify the priority tasks to be addressed during the initial phase.
Effective cooperation among the partner institutions will be essential for ensuring that the educational materials, laboratory infrastructure, training activities, and digital resources developed within AGROPATH provide sustainable benefits beyond the formal duration of the project.
BUILDING A COMMON PATH TOWARDS DIGITAL AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE
The kick-off meeting at Warsaw University of Technology laid the foundation for further cooperation among the AGROPATH partners and marked the beginning of coordinated work towards the project’s educational and technological objectives.
By bringing together universities with complementary expertise and experience, AGROPATH creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, development of innovative educational approaches, modernisation of teaching infrastructure, and strengthening of international academic cooperation.
The joint efforts of institutions from Ukraine, Poland, Slovenia, Greece, and Moldova are expected to contribute to the development of digital and geospatial competencies required for the future of agriculture.
Through the integration of geomatics, Earth observation, geoinformation technologies, and precision agriculture into higher education, AGROPATH aims to support the transition towards a more innovative, sustainable, data-driven, and technology-oriented agricultural sector, while preparing a new generation of specialists capable of effectively applying modern digital solutions in agricultural practice.
