News

Estonian University of Life Sciences has belonged to the Baltic Forestry, Veterinary and Agricultural University BOVA Network since it was established in 1996. The current rector of EMÜ, Mait Klaassen, was one of the authors of the idea of the network and it is kind of symbolic that just before leaving office, he’s had a chance to be BOVA rector for a while.

The activities of the network are coordinated by the BOVA secretariat which changes every three years. In spring of this year, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies handed over the secretariat to EMÜ and we will coordinate the network until the end of 2024. On November 28th, the rectors and coordinators of the universities had a chance to finally meet in person for the first time since 2020 and make plans for 2023. The meeting took place in Jelgava, at  Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Hopefully next year we can host a meeting like this in Tartu.

One of the main activities of the BOVA network is organising international intensive courses where students from all universities of the network can participate for free. The topics vary and the focus is on bachelor and master level students who might not have as many mobility opportunities as PhD students. The BOVA network is made up of four universities: Estonian University of Life Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Jelgava, Latvia), Vytautas Magnus University – Agriculture Academy (Kaunas, Lithuania), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences – Veterinary Academy (Kaunas, Lithuania).

There is also cooperation with the NOVA network which connects Scandinavian universities that teach teach forestry, veterinary medicine and agriculture. NOVA also organises intensive courses, but these are meant for PhD students. BOVA PhD students are welcome to participate in NOVA courses and BOVA courses are open to NOVA BA and MA level students.

At the beginning of the new year, all our teachers will have a chance to apply for BOVA course funding, more exact information will be sent out to everyone at the beginning of January.

For more information about the BOVA network: Karoli Kõiv, BOVA Secretary, karoli.koiv@emu.ee