The overall aim of the H20202 TWINN SERBIA FOR EXCELL project was to upgrade knowledge, skills and social capacity of researchers and teachers from Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad (PFNS) in the field of environmental sciences, with special focus on agrometeorology, crop ecophysiology and crop management.
Establishment and growth of the open AgMnet+ research group has led to establishment of new research and cooperation relations among project participants as well as with other researchers from PFNS and experts and researchers out of PFNS and the partner institutions. The results include: three times enlarged PFNS crew on the project, introduction of "Serbian Society of Agrometeorology" as a new pillar of future cooperation, and new scientific proposals and research papers published and submitted by members of AgMnet+network.
As a result of expert trainings, scientific visits and guest lectures, knowledge and skills have been improved and upgraded at different levels: a) PFNS curricula have been improved and 3 textbooks published: a teaching book "Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology", additional teaching material "Agrometeorological Modelling – Abiotic Stress and Plant Production” and "High School and Undergraduate Student’s Guide to Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics"; b) a new master program "Climate Smart Agriculture" has been introduced at PFNS; c) 11 joint project proposals and 5 joint COST actions have been submitted, 18 joint scientific papers published, 26 joint conference participations.
As a result of intensive exploitation of a "problem solver" concept, young researchers and PhD students identified gaps in their knowledge and skills related to different research techniques, data assimilation and management, crop modelling, paper writing and project management. In order to fill these gaps, trainings, discussion groups and lectures were organised at PFNS. They were run by the project participants (PFNS, BOKU, UNIFI) and guest experts in the field. Most of these were recorded and they are hosted on the project web page to be available to the general public and open for further discussions.
Conclusions of the action
a. In the long term, AgMnet+ members from PFNS, who have increased their research capacity and enhanced the teaching curricula, with Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) concepts and tools as a strong background, will have the potential to meet the needs of new generations of agricultural engineers and design solutions related to agrometeorology and plant production and protection.
b. We now provide public access to the information, skills and knowledge which used to be a privilege of individuals mostly working in specialized agencies. Additionally, we offer three free books related to agrometeorology and agroclimatology, ecophysiology and crop management intended for different audiences (from high school and university students to professionals) with the aim to introduce science to the educational process and the public.
c. All of the performed activities and achieved goals have strengthened the research excellence and capacity of PFNS-Serbia, in cooperation with BOKU-Austria and UNIFI-Italy. Through this project, PFNS capacity to design, plan and perform high level research programs has significantly increased, what is essential for a member of the ERA.
