Academic exchange between UNAG Honduras and CATIE promotes professional training in sustainability

• Honduran students complete internship in Costa Rica as part of a cooperation aimed at sustainable development

Three students from the Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business Administration at the National University of Agriculture (UNAG) of Honduras are completing their professional internship at CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), which they began in January 2025 as part of a joint effort to strengthen technical capacities and promote academic exchange between both institutions.

This training experience was coordinated by CATIE's Livestock and Environmental Management Unit (GAMMA), and allowed the interns to actively engage in key areas of the institution's work. During their stay, the students participated in activities related to sustainable livestock farming on CATIE’s commercial farm, received training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and collaborated in technical and research actions within GAMMA’s projects.

In addition, the interns were involved with the Coffee and Cacao Agroforestry Unit, participating in tasks related to the conservation of germplasm and the genetic improvement of these emblematic crops of the region. Their experience was further enriched by participating in activities at the Forest Seed Bank, which reinforced their training in the management and conservation of natural resources.

This process not only strengthened their technical skills but also allowed them to broaden their professional outlook by interacting in a multidisciplinary and international environment, strongly committed to sustainability.

The alliance between UNAG and CATIE was further reinforced by the official visit of Esdras Vásquez, Director of the Tomalá Regional Center of UNAG, who was on CATIE’s campus from April 1 to 4. The purpose of his visit was to identify new synergies and opportunities to expand academic and institutional collaboration.

During his stay, Director Vásquez held strategic meetings with research unit coordinators, representatives of the Orton Commemorative Library, the Dean of the Graduate School, and the team from the Training Area, laying the groundwork for future joint initiatives.

These types of exchanges reflect CATIE’s commitment to training new generations of professionals who contribute to sustainable rural development in Latin America and the Caribbean.