About the Project
The project envisages the development of a systemic model for training agri-drone specialists through the integration of engineering, agronomy, and digital technologies into Ukraine’s higher education system, based on European standards, practical infrastructure, and cooperation with the agribusiness sector.
Objectives
- Development of a systemic model for training agri-drone specialists
- Integration of engineering, agronomy, and digital technologies into the educational process
- Implementation of European standards in workforce training
- Development of practical training infrastructure
- Establishment of cooperation between education and the agribusiness sector
Key Problems and Opportunities in Focus
Challenges:
- Lack of comprehensive educational programmes in agri-drones in Ukraine
- Shortage of practical infrastructure (laboratories, training fields)
- Insufficient number of instructors with hands-on experience
- Gap between education and the needs of the agribusiness sector
Opportunities:
- Rapid growth of the precision farming market
- Increasing demand for agri-drone specialists
- Integration of Ukraine into the European educational area
- Reconstruction of the agricultural sector through technology
Expected Impact
Short-term:
- Launch of 4–6 courses (ECTS)
- Training of instructors (Train-the-Trainers)
- Establishment of agri-drone laboratories
Medium-term:
- Increased graduate employability
- Systemic cooperation between universities and businesses
- Scaling up of short courses
Long-term:
- Formation of a market for agri-drone specialists
- Digital transformation of the agricultural sector
- Integration of Ukraine into the European Higher Education Area
Donor / Investor Engagement Format
- Co-financing by universities
- Partnerships with agribusiness (infrastructure, training fields)
- Potential additional funding through:
- Horizon Europe
- UNDP / Sida
- Regional programmes
Readiness Status: investment-ready
Existing elements:
- Consortium established
- Concept and Work Package (WP) structure developed
- Partner roles defined
- MVP delivered — the “Agri-Drone Training” veteran business school has been launched
Educational and innovation-focused; investment-oriented
Educational and innovation-focused; investment-oriented
3 years
Estimated budget: €800,000
Structure:
- Educational programmes and materials
- Equipment (drones, laboratories, simulators)
- Instructor training
- Mobility (EU)
- Communication and management
Ukraine + EU (Portugal, Spain, Sweden)
- Students in agricultural and engineering fields
- Lecturers and instructors
- Agribusinesses and farmers
- Veterans (reskilling)
- Communities
Volyn Smart Agro Cluster
Ukraine:
- Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University
- Lutsk National Technical University
- Polissia National University
- Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University
- Central Ukrainian National Technical University
EU:
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- University of Lisbon / Instituto Superior Técnico
- Universitat Politècnica de València
Business:
- LevSmartAgro
- AGRONIX
- Ukrainian Agrarian Council (All-Ukrainian Congress of Farmers)
To discuss partnership opportunities:
Contact person: Mykola Polinkevych
Tel.: +380 96 911 0102