Visit of the Rector’s Delegation of the University of Tokaj – Hegyalja to the Nebrodi National Park in Sicily

A delegation of the University of Tokaj, Rector Dr. Ágnes Horváth, Prof. Dr. István Stumpf, President of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tokaj Foundation, and Dr. Sándor Némethy, Research Professor, made a strategic visit to the world-famous Nebrodi National Park in Sicily, centred in the town of Sant’Agata di Militello, a town with a great historical past.

The delegation was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Carmelo Dazzi and Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Lo Papa from the European Soil Conservation Society and the University of Palermo. The guests participated in a workshop on experiences in the promotion, management and conservation of nature, jointly organised by the Nebrodi National Park, the University of Palermo and the Living Bank of Vegetable Germplasm Consortium.

The hosts found the University of Tokaj, which boasts a UNESCO World Heritage site with elements similar to those of Nebrodi, interesting and attractive.

Dr Ágnes Horváth, Rector, said that the University of Tokaj is also a training centre for tourism professionals, and therefore requires a highly qualified human resource with a practical approach.

Prof. Dr. István Stumpf, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the University of Tokaj, highlighted the strong sense of territorial identity that is present in both the Tokaj Region and the Nebrod National Park. He welcomed the signing of an agreement that will enable the Park and the University of Tokaj to cooperate in the field of practical training, student internships and applied research programmes, as well as to exchange experience and good practice in the field of ecotourism and nature conservation in general.

The Mayor of Sant’ Agata di Militello, Dr. Bruno Mancuso, welcomed the guests, as did the Park’s President, Dr. Domenico Barbuzza, who summarised the organisation’s recent international commitments, taking the opportunity to thank the managers and the whole Park team for their commitment, who will now have to play an even greater role in the successful implementation of the agreements concluded.

The day was concluded with a visit to the Germoplasm Bank of Ucria research station, where Dr Ignazio Digangi, Director, presented the research station, the collection of varieties and the latest research results to the guests.