From artificial intelligence to agrobusiness opportunities: new research collaborations between Poliba and Slovak universities
On the occasion of the visit of the Head of State, Pellegrini, agreements were signed in areas of common interest
5 June 2026
A new chapter in international cooperation opens at the Polytechnic University of Bari and sets course for Slovakia. The visit of the President of the Republic, Peter Pellegrini, received yesterday at City Hall by the Mayor, Vito Leccese, provided the opportunity to launch collaborations between the universities of Bari and those of Slovakia in several areas of common interest.
The Polytechnic University, represented by Rector Umberto Fratino, signed memoranda of understanding with the Technical University of Košice, the University of ŽILINA, Constantine the Philosopher University, and the Slovak University of Agriculture, both in the city of Nitra. The agreements provide for various possibilities of cooperation, from joint research programs to internships, from study and research trips to degree theses, from conferences to joint degree programs in various fields of engineering and architecture. Researchers from the Polytechnic University and Slovak universities will be able to collaborate, for example, in the field of information technology, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and digital transformation (in the photo below, Rector Fratino signs the agreement with the Vice-Rector of the University of Žilina, Jozef Ristvej. In the cover image, he is with the Rector of the University of Košice, Peter Mésároš).
Other areas of common interest include sustainable engineering and smart infrastructure, precision agriculture, agribusiness, regional development and environmental policy, environmental and landscape engineering. “We make available a wealth of multidisciplinary knowledge,” commented the Rector of the Polytechnic University, Umberto Fratino, “looking ahead to the opportunities that these collaborations can open up for our young talents in the international arena.”
Representatives of the same Slovak universities, rectors and their delegates, were hosted today at the Polytechnic, in the Rectorate Building on campus. Delegations from the universities that, at the meeting in the City Hall, signed agreements with the University of Bari and with Lum, represented respectively by Rectors Roberto Bellotti and Antonello Garzoni, were also present. (in the photo below, some moments from the meeting).
The meeting at the Polytechnic University served to get to know one another better and to lay the foundations for a network of further collaboration at the regional university system level. Each Slovak representative presented their university, focusing on the strengths of its research. There are therefore the conditions to open a new chapter in academic international cooperation.
The article From artificial intelligence to agri-business opportunities: new research collaborations between Poliba and Slovak universities comes from Poliba Chronicle.