Exciting Partnership: South Dakota State University Teams Up with Hungary’s University of Debrecen

Last month, South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of Debrecen signed a partnership agreement in Hungary. This collaboration will link their precision agriculture programs, enhancing educational opportunities for students at both institutions.

“We’re thrilled about this partnership,” said Dennis Hedge, SDSU’s provost. “It combines our strengths in agricultural engineering and keeps student learning innovative.” By working together, they aim to foster new ideas and advancements in agriculture, an industry crucial to both the U.S. and Hungary.

Students from the University of Debrecen can now dual enroll in SDSU’s precision agriculture program during their fourth and fifth semesters. They’ll tackle classes in statistics, biology, and hands-on lab work. This practical experience will allow students to connect with SDSU faculty, access advanced facilities, and engage with local agricultural networks.

Graduates will earn degrees from both universities. While many classes will be offered online, students are encouraged to visit Brookings for a richer educational experience.

“Agriculture is global,” said Joe Cassady, the Dean of SDSU’s College of Agriculture. “This program connects future leaders in agriculture.” Students from South Dakota will benefit by learning alongside those from Hungary, sharing different agricultural practices and regional crops. For instance, Hungary mostly imports soybeans, which is a contrast to the production-focused farms found in South Dakota.

The partnership was inspired by precision agriculture professor Peter Kovacs, who had a summer intern from Debrecen. The intern, Ádám Hosszú, described his time at SDSU as inspiring, igniting his passion for agricultural research. This spirit of collaboration is set to grow with SDSU’s animal science professor Michael Gonda spending the fall semester in Debrecen.

The University of Debrecen has a rich history, founded in 1538. It serves around 29,000 students and is a key educational institution in Hungary. The signing event was significant, attended by members from the Hungarian parliament and the U.S. Embassy. Zoltán Szilvássy, the rector of Debrecen, described the occasion as a milestone, highlighting the shared learning opportunities to tackle global agricultural challenges.

This commitment to education and collaboration could not come at a more important time. With agriculture facing various challenges, partnerships like this one can pave the way for innovative solutions and insights. For more details on the SDSU precision agriculture program, you can visit their [website](https://www.sdstate.edu) or learn about the University of Debrecen on their [official page](https://www.unideb.hu).

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