Özyeğin University crowns its interdisciplinary research excellence with one of the most prestigious grants in international agricultural technologies. Led by Assoc. Prof. Candan Türkkan from the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Program, the project “Next-Generation Skills and Knowledge Ecosystems for Competitive and Sustainable Farming (AGRINEXT)” has been awarded funding under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Program.

Spanning 54 months, AGRINEXT is an extensive research and innovation initiative designed to spark a profound transformation in the European agricultural sector. Drawing together 21 academics and industry partners across 12 countries, the project will develop integrated models that redefine knowledge and skills ecosystems. Representing Özyeğin University at the heart of this endeavor, Assoc. Prof. Türkkan will lead Work Package 2, Mapping and Benchmarking Lifelong Learning Systems, one of the project’s foundational components.

Assoc. Prof. Türkkan’s research team will conduct a comprehensive analysis of current agricultural education systems across more than 20 countries, laying the intellectual groundwork for the new knowledge and skills infrastructure that European agriculture requires. Pilot studies and fieldwork planned in Türkiye will further ensure that the project’s findings generate tangible impact at both theoretical and applied levels.

The innovative solutions developed within AGRINEXT are organized around three key pillars:

• The AgriAI-Assistant is an artificial intelligence-powered, multilingual learning tool designed to strengthen the knowledge acquisition and learning processes of agricultural professionals.
• The FutureFit Competency Model identifies the skills needed for the future of agriculture and charts a path for transforming the agricultural sector.
• Finally, the AgriLLL-Cred System is conceived as a micro-credentialling platform that will enable the pan-European recognition of competencies acquired by farmers and agricultural advisors alike.

AGRINEXT contributes to building sustainable and competitive agricultural ecosystems that address today’s most pressing global challenges, including climate change, digitalization, and biodiversity loss.

Özyeğin University takes great pride in playing a leading role in this landmark project, which stands as a powerful example of collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector. Through this initiative, OzU continues to advance its longstanding commitment to sustainability as one of Türkiye’s leading institutions in the field.