BOVA University network

On May 5–6, the 30th anniversary of the BOVA network was celebrated at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
On May 5, an updated cooperation agreement between the BOVA and NOVA networks was signed. During the meeting in Tartu, BOVA network members were also honored, discussions were held on the network’s activities, and attendees shared memories of the most significant stages of the network’s development and its achievements.
“The 30th anniversary of the BOVA network is a significant occasion to look back on three decades of cooperation, strengthening the partnership among Baltic universities in the fields of agricultural, forestry, and veterinary sciences. This network has become an important platform for the development of academic exchanges, joint study initiatives, and international research projects. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the network’s continued growth and the strengthening of our strategic partnership with NOVA,” says Prof. Dr. Vigilijus Jukna, Chancellor of the VMU Academy of Agriculture.

🐾 Want to make a real impact on animal welfare?

This practical Master’s level course gives you the tools to assess animal welfare across farms, homes, zoos, and beyond — combining hands-on experience, expert insight, and cutting-edge science.

The rationale of this course is to provide students at Masters level with the confidence and competence to assess the welfare of animals kept by humans; as pets, in rescue centres, for display, for research and for food production. The course involves engagement and discussion of the current literature and therefore compliments Masters level requirements for familiarity with current scholarship. The course is innovative in as much as it exposes students to practitioners in the field of animal welfare in the region and requires of them to explore and demonstrate practical understanding of methods of assessment. As this is a practical course, a large element of the teaching will be assessing the welfare of real animals in real contexts. In addition, the course will involve lecturing and seminars to ensure that the students have the background and practice in understanding the methods and issues of animal welfare science. A range of animal species will be considered, including farm, pet animals and animals in zoos. Achievement of outcomes will be demonstrated by a presentation by the student of how they would assess the welfare of animals in a given situation, how they would justify this, and also a critical evaluation of other assessment methods in other situations of animal use.

Please register online: https://forms.office.com/e/HAMhEK9S7U
Registration deadline: March 31st, 2026

🐾 From solving clinical mysteries to diagnosing bird diseases and mastering small farm technologies — expand your knowledge with our specialized training courses in Kaunas this spring.

Discover hands-on learning, expert guidance, and valuable practical skills for veterinary and animal science professionals.

"The Veterinary Detective: In-Depth Analysis of Clinical Cases".
📅 Course will take place on May 25-29, 2026 in Kaunas.

“The Veterinary Detective” course focuses on the management of clinical cases and biosecurity, parasitic and respiratory diseases in companion animals, gastrointestinal health and anthelmintic resistance in ruminants, and infectious disease management in zoos and wildlife centers.

"Pathology and Microbiology of Bird Diseases: From Microscope to Laboratory".
📅 Course will take place on June 15-19, 2026 in Kaunas.

“Pathology and Microbiology of Bird Diseases” course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in the pathology and microbiology of avian diseases. Students will gain hands-on experience in pathological examination, laboratory diagnostics, and microbiological analysis of bird diseases, with a strong focus on linking macroscopic, microscopic, and microbiological findings for accurate diagnosis.

“Practical Technologies for the Small Animal Farm Systems – From Animal Rearing to Production Processing”
📅 Course will take place on May 18-22 2026 in Kaunas.

This course provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in animal rearing technologies within small farm systems, as well as in production processing technologies for the transformation of animal-derived raw materials into high-quality products.

Nominated students may apply directly using the links below:

🔗 The Veterinary Detective: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uy1DDa_e9UKv3oLWh4_f_28WhZ6gOa9HkCJFdjZ7LDZURjIwUEE1QTMyWDRENlNTUzVKTkM4QTFVUS4u
The registration deadline is April 1, 2026.

🔗 Pathology and Microbiology of Bird Diseases: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uy1DDa_e9UKv3oLWh4_f_28WhZ6gOa9HkCJFdjZ7LDZUQUZEM0owVDlBVkYzWDE4ODJTT1o3NDhQQS4u
The registration deadline is April 1, 2026.

🔗Practical Technologies for the Small Animal Farm Systems – From Animal Rearing to Production Processing: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdGjR1uLyDo36LezWXBKdocS69S6JJf2LSFBE1x1tFrvapeg/viewform?usp=send_form
The registration deadline is April 1, 2026.

On January 27–28, the annual BOVA meeting was held at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).
During the meeting, the responsibility for the BOVA network was officially transferred from the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) to Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). The takeover deed was signed by the EMÜ Rector prof. Ülle Jaakma and VMU Agriculture Academy deputy chancellor assoc. prof. dr. Rytis Skominas.
Participants reviewed the results of previous BOVA cooperation and discussed current challenges in higher education across the Baltic States. Particular attention was given to the implementation of the BOVA Strategy 2025–2029 and the development of a future action plan.
The meeting also included discussions on the BOVA 30th anniversary programme, as well as opportunities to expand cooperation with the NOVA network and potential new partner institutions.
On the second day of the meeting, BOVA courses planned for 2026 were discussed and approved. In total, nine courses are scheduled for implementation.

Register for BOVA course 'Forest disturbances and ecosystem services: data and modelling' (4 ECTS)!
Date: 15th October – 19th October 2018
Location: Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU), Tartu, Estonia
Application deadline: 30th September 2018
Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/jcDwr8wrCmX4V0KU2

www.bova-university.org

Last call for registration to BOVA Master course "Evaluation of Quality of Poultry Meat and Eggs"!
Venue: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Time: 12 – 16 March, 2018

www.bova-university.org

Registration for BOVA courses for Spring Semester is open here: https://goo.gl/forms/jxeyzob7eSZTx9Ci1

Bova-University - BOVA Courses for Spring Semester (2018) The admission for BOVA courses is arranged at the institution offering the course. The application process and admission requirements for the courses are explained on each course's description.

NOVA PhD course: Biotrophy in Plant Pathogens - from Recognition to Ecology (April 29-May 4, Skælskør, Denmark)
Deadline for registration – February 8th!

Biotrophy in Plant Pathogens - from Recognition to Ecology NOVA PhD course of 4 ECTS, offered by Prof. Mogens Støvring Hovmøller, Aarhus University - Science and Technology. Course dates and location: 29 Apr. - 4 May 2018 in Skælskør, Zealand, Denmark.

BOVA University network announces the Call for Application for organization of BOVA courses in 2018-2019!
Deadline is December 7, 2017.

Bova-University - CALL for APPLICATION 2018 - 2019

New BOVA Intensive Bachelor’s Course at LLU, Latvia on November 6 - 10, 2017.
Registration deadline: October 23, 2017

Bova-University - BOVA course: Sustainable Land Management in Baltic Countries We kindly invite you to participate at BOVA Intensive Bachelor’s Course of 4 ECTS, organised at Latvia University of Agriculture Jelgava, Latvia

NOVA and BOVA network coordinators had their annual meeting in Copenhagen and Alnarp this year. Looking forward to an exciting academic year!