Zamorano University recently welcomed an academic delegation from the University of Florida as part of an institutional visit focused on experience sharing, academic collaboration, and strengthening international partnerships. The visit took place from January 19 to 22, 2026, and included meetings with university leadership, academic tours, visits to hands-on learning modules, and a week of talks open to students from all degree programs.
At the core of the visit was the presentation of the joint UF–Zamorano initiative Fields & Futuro, a project designed to advance bilingual science communication, digital media production, and globally oriented agricultural education. The initiative promotes the collaborative creation of podcasts by Zamorano University students, instructors, and faculty interested in sharing perspectives on agriculture and rural development. Key topics include climate-smart agriculture, regenerative practices, food security, and technology adoption in the agri-food sector. As part of the visit, the delegation shared the project’s goals, outlined opportunities for participation, and fostered dialogue with the academic community.
Throughout their time on campus, the visiting team toured Zamorano’s four academic departments to gain firsthand insight into the practical learning experiences that complement and strengthen students’ academic training, in alignment with the university’s learning-by-doing educational model. The agenda featured visits to production modules, specialized laboratories, agro-industrial facilities, and innovation spaces linked to agribusiness, food agroindustry, environment and development, and agricultural science and production.
In parallel, evening talks were held at the university library auditorium, coordinated by Dr. Bernardo Trejos, Associate Professor of Sustainable Development and Internship Coordinator in Zamorano’s Department of Environment and Development. The sessions addressed topics such as internship opportunities and international academic experiences at the University of Florida, the role of communication and leadership in agricultural extension and education, intercultural communication, podcast production as an academic tool, and the development of interpersonal skills for teamwork and leadership in the agricultural sector. The talks were open to students from all academic programs.
The University of Florida delegation included Dr. Jamie Loizzo and Dr. Pablo Lamino, faculty members from the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, along with doctoral students Maggie Murphy, Renzo Ceme, and José Molina, and master’s student Kamila Koralasbayev, all of whom actively participated in academic activities, site visits, and exchanges with the Zamorano community.
This visit reinforces Zamorano University’s commitment to internationalization, educational innovation, and academic collaboration, strengthening strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for academic development, applied research, and global engagement for both students and faculty.
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