SDG 15 - Life on Land - 1. SUPPORTING LAND ECOSYSTEM THROUGH EDUCATION - Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
SDG 15 - Life on Land
SDG 15 - Life on Land - 1. SUPPORTING LAND ECOSYSTEM THROUGH EDUCATION
Last modified: 23. November 2025
1. SUPPORTING LAND ECOSYSTEM THROUGH EDUCATION
1.1. Educational programmes on ecosystems
Educational programmes
Our university offers comprehensive training pathways designed to prepare professionals for the complex challenges facing terrestrial ecosystems today. These programmes place strong emphasis on sustainable land and soil management, ecological principles, and responsible agribusiness, providing students with the critical expertise needed to protect, restore, and sustainably utilise natural resources.
Through specialised coursework and hands-on training, participants develop deep knowledge in areas such as sustainable agricultural practices, soil conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the maintenance of ecologically managed green spaces. Each programme blends rigorous theoretical foundations with practical field experience, enabling graduates to design and lead initiatives that strengthen biodiversity, enhance soil health, and promote sustainable resource use. In doing so, these training opportunities directly contribute to the fulfilment of SDG 15 by cultivating professionals capable of driving positive, measurable environmental impact.
To further support these goals, MATE offers a range of targeted graduate and postgraduate programmes and courses, including the "Biological Soil Management Engineering Specialisation", the "Soil Science Engineering Postgraduate Specialist Programme", the "Ecological Green Space Management Engineering Specialisation", and the "Executive MBA in Sustainable Agribusiness Management". Together, these programmes equip future experts with advanced, practice-oriented knowledge to address the pressing ecological challenges of our time and to contribute effectively to the stewardship of life on land.
At the undergraduate and graduate level, students at MATE can take the “Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” elective online course, available in the spring 2025 semester. Developed within the Hungarian Universities Sustainability Platform (MEFP), of which MATE is a founding member, the course is taught by experts from multiple Hungarian universities and explores various aspects of the SDGs adopted by the United Nations. It addresses global challenges including environmental protection. Designed for online completion, the course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development principles and encourages action toward a better future.
MATE, in partnership with ABZ Drone Ltd., offers a professional-level plant-protection drone pilot training that combines technical, regulatory, and practical modules. Participants learn about drone hardware, aviation laws, agrometeorology, and agricultural software, as well as how to operate both survey and spraying drones for crop protection. The programme includes at least 84 hours of theoretical instruction and a minimum of 18 hours of hands-on flight training. Successful trainees can also obtain an official unmanned aircraft operator license under a special operational category. The course is taught by industry-experienced pilots and drone experts, and it provides full support for administrative and licensing procedures.
MATE’s Institute of Horticultural Sciences and its Centre for Adult Education and Consultancy offer a hands-on Summer (Green) Pruning Course across four locations in Hungary. This practical training complements spring pruning by teaching participants how to manage the vegetative growth of fruit trees during the growing season, helping to maintain yield balance and long-term tree health. In addition, attendees learn “sleeping” grafting — a widely used propagation method — and explore how the timing of green pruning can support both plant protection and fruit bud development. Designed for anyone from hobby gardeners to professional orchardists, the course starts with a short theoretical session, followed by fieldwork in MATE’s experimental orchards, and concludes with a certificate of completion.
Agricultural Water Management Scientific College
The Agricultural Water Management Scientific College, founded in 2016, now operates within MATE’s Institute of Environmental Sciences as a centrally supported talent development programme. It provides students with opportunities to gain additional knowledge beyond their regular coursework, participate in research activities through available support schemes, and engage in a professional community. Its key aims include offering specialised training forums, promoting student involvement in research, fostering an active professional network, developing skills valued by the labour market, providing interdisciplinary education through general and specialised courses, and supporting the acquisition of democratic values and cooperative, community-based working practices.
https://szentistvancampus.uni-mate.hu/mezogazdasagi-es-vizgazdalkodasi-szakkollegium-szarvas-
Rural Development Scientific College
Founded in 2001, the College provides enhanced academic support through specialised lectures, conferences, and community-focused programmes that promote professional development and active research engagement. Its members are involved in a wide range of scientific projects, including investigations into the sustainability and long-term prospects of small settlements in the Carpathian Basin. By fostering a collaborative learning environment and encouraging innovative, research-driven approaches to rural challenges, the College contributes to MATE’s broader mission of advancing sustainable land use and regional development.
https://szentistvancampus.uni-mate.hu/videkfejlesztesi-szakkollegium