Strengthening Biocontrol and Climate Resilience: A Partnership Between BOKU and YSU

The ArmBioClimate project, an APPEAR partnership between Austrian and Armenian academic institutions aims to strengthen the genetic potential of biocontrol in the context of climate change in Armenia. From 24 to 27 February, 2025, Dr. Gábor Mészáros, the team leader from BOKU University, visited Armenia to strengthen partnerships, conduct training sessions, and support the development of academic programs at YSU.

Dr. Mészáros conducted an intensive short course on the R programming language. This course was designed for students, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in the project. The training covered essential statistical and data analysis techniques, proving to be highly beneficial and productive for all participants. The interactive sessions enabled attendees to develop practical skills relevant to genetic research and biocontrol applications.

Dr. Mészáros held several key meetings during his visit to YSU. He engaged in discussions with gender equity specialist Christina Gevorkian, focusing on integrating gender perspectives into the project. Additionally, he met with curriculum development specialists to refine and enhance the structure of the new Master’s programme under the ArmBioClimate initiative. Further, Dr. Mészáros met with the Dean of the Biology Faculty and the Vice Rector of Yerevan State University. These discussions centered around strengthening institutional collaborations, advancing research initiatives, and fostering academic exchange between BOKU University and YSU.

The outcomes of this visit will serve as a foundation for future joint initiatives, ensuring the continuous development and implementation of the project's objectives. Yerevan State University expresses its gratitude to Dr. Mészáros for his valuable contributions.