Yesterday, Prof. Dr. Ryota Kataoka from the Department of Local Produce and Food Sciences at the University of Yamanashi (Japan) [https://uysoil-k.jimdofree.com/] visited the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. He delivered a lecture as part of the International Seminars in Biosciences course. His visit was a follow-up to the delegation visit from the University of Yamanashi to BF in September 2024.

During the delegation meeting on September 6th, 2024, BF presented its work and reviewed ongoing collaboration efforts. The approval of mobility between UL BF and the University of Yamanashi through the Erasmus KA171 program was highlighted, which includes two staff mobilities and two incoming student mobilities. Due to the strong interest in further collaboration, both institutions agreed to submit a new Erasmus KA171 application in December 2024. Key areas of collaboration include biotechnology, biology (focusing on vegetation impact on water, ecology, biomass), microbiology (fungi, clones), and food science.

The meeting and Prof. Kataoka's visit have strengthened the foundation for future academic and research partnerships between the two institutions.