BOVA meeting took place at VMU Agriculture Academy
The BOVA meeting held on January 16–17 at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy covered a range of key developments for the network, which unites agricultural universities in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. During the meeting, the BOVA financial report for 2024 was presented and approved, signaling the network’s financial transparency and planning. The approval of funding for 12 short courses, with four of them hosted by VMU Agriculture Academy, marked a continued commitment to providing advanced education opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary sciences.
The meeting also focused on strategic matters, such as the discussion and development of a new BOVA strategy and the 2025 action plan. This forward-thinking approach is designed to strengthen collaboration among the member institutions and enhance the impact of BOVA’s educational offerings and research initiatives.
Additionally, BOVA’s 30th anniversary conference the planning, which promises to be a significant milestone for the network was initiated. Established in 1996, BOVA has been integral in promoting educational exchanges, research collaborations, and the development of joint programs across the Baltic region. Its involvement with the NOVABA program from 1996 to 2000, focusing on master’s-level courses, laid a strong foundation for its current work.
Since the establishment of the BOVA secretariat in 2002, largely supported by the K&A Wallenberg Foundation, the network has continued to thrive. The secretariat, which is now managed by the member universities, including Estonian University of Life Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, VMU Agriculture Academy, and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Veterinary Academy, coordinates various activities such as joint research projects, short courses, and the creation of collaborative networks in the agricultural sector.
Through initiatives like these, BOVA continues to contribute to the advancement of higher education and research in agriculture and related fields across the Baltic states and beyond.
