On September 4, 2026, the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ), Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, hosted the first PH-CZ STARR (STrengthening Academic and Research Relations) scientific meeting, bringing together representatives of academia, research, and diplomacy to share experiences and explore new opportunities for cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
In recent years, FTZ has developed strong scientific cooperation with partners in the Philippines, particularly in animal science and wildlife conservation. An important role in developing these links has been played by the Animal Physiology and Behavior Research Team, led by Dr. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D.
Celebrating cooperation through photography
The event opened with a photo exhibition in the FTZ foyer, highlighting research activities and cooperation between Czech and Filipino researchers and students.
The opening was attended by CZU Prague Rector Prof. Ing. Michal Lošťák, Ph.D., H.E. Eduardo Martin R. Menez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Czech Republic, and Dr. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D., Head of the Animal Physiology and Behavior Research Team at FTZ.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into the research, field activities, and people behind the growing academic and scientific links between the two countries. We want to thank the members of the Animal Physiology and Behavior Research Team for providing the photographs featured in the exhibition.
Sharing experiences and exploring new opportunities
The exhibition opening was followed by a roundtable discussion focused on future opportunities for cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic. The discussion brought together representatives of the academic, scientific, and diplomatic communities and provided a platform for exchanging ideas and identifying opportunities for further collaboration. Authorities from our main partners in the Philippines – Davao Oriental State University, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Central Mindanao University, and Central Luzon State University – participated in this online discussion, along with representatives from the Czech embassy in the Philippines. The meeting was attended by 25 in-person and 35 online participants.
The program also included scientific presentations, allowing Filipino scholars working and studying in the Czech Republic and Czech students conducting research in the Philippines to share their experiences and research findings, and explore networking opportunities.
The meeting highlighted the value of existing academic and research links while also creating new opportunities for networking and future joint activities. According to Dr. Ceacero and the Filipino PhD candidate Jhonnel Villegas, the main organisers of the event, “during the last years we have done a great job in the formation and career development of Philippine students; now that they are coming back to their home universities, we have great opportunities to work together in research topics of key interest for the country and support the development of modern academic programs, ensuring a fruitful long-term cooperation.”
Looking towards the future
The first PH-CZ STARR meeting demonstrated the strong potential for continued academic and scientific cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
FTZ will continue to support collaboration with Filipino partners, including joint research, academic and student mobility, knowledge exchange, and the development of new opportunities for cooperation.
