Odesa State Agrarian University Ukraine

Τhe organisation

Odesa State Agrarian University (OSAU) is one of the oldest agricultural higher education institutions in southern Ukraine, founded in 1918. Today, it is a leading educational and research centre, providing programmes for students from Ukraine and abroad.

The University employs around 150 academic staff, over 85% of whom hold scientific degrees. OSAU applies innovative teaching approaches, including digital technologies and modern educational methods.

The University comprises four faculties — Veterinary Medicine; Geodesy, Land Management and Agricultural Engineering; Economics and Management; and Agrobiotechnology — as well as the Scientific and Educational Institute of Biotechnology and Aquaculture.

OSAU conducts research in key areas of agriculture and agri-food development, including plant production, livestock, veterinary medicine, land management, economics and environmental protection.

The University has modern research and educational infrastructure, including a Veterinary Clinic, a Multifunctional Research Laboratory supported by the EU, and the Earth Satellite Monitoring Centre. OSAU strongly focuses on practice-oriented education and innovation, including agri-tech initiatives such as commercial urban farming projects that support student training and entrepreneurship.

International cooperation is actively developed through more than 50 agreements with foreign institutions, joint research projects, conferences and Erasmus+ mobility programmes for students and staff.

Partner role in MoreAdaptBSB

As project partner, Odesa State Agrarian University contributes its long-standing expertise in soil organic matter research. OSAU participates in the joint development of the remote sensing-based methodology for assessing climate vulnerability, gathering and verifying data for the Ukrainian territory, conducting field verification and contributing to the co-development of the web-based assessment tool.

As Pilot Site Coordinator for Odesa, OSAU coordinates local restoration field work, helping transform vulnerable urban and coastal areas into resilient, adaptive green spaces integrated into citizens' daily life.

Expertise / Contribution

• Long-standing research background in soil science, contributing scientific expertise to green space restoration and climate change mitigation.
• Participation in joint project events and transnational knowledge exchange activities.
• Collection and field verification of data for the Ukrainian territory, supporting the co-development of the web-based assessment tool.
• Coordination of the Odesa pilot site, overseeing restoration activities and the transformation of vulnerable urban and coastal areas into resilient green spaces.
• Engagement with regional stakeholders and promotion of knowledge exchange across the Black Sea Basin partnership.