�̾��Ƶpartnership with Italy’s University of Salento bolsters utilization of smart technology, advancing sustainable agriculture

Leaders representing �̾��Ƶ visited with leaders at the University of Salento in Italy, where they posed for this group photo. — Leaders representing �̾��Ƶ visited with leaders at the University of Salento in Italy recently. Pictured from left, �̾��ƵSenior Advisor for European and Data Science Development Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi; University of Salento Vice Rector Maria Antonietta Aiello; University of Salento Rector Fabio Pollice; �̾��ƵAssociate Vice President for International Programs Dan Reynolds; Professor Alex Thomasson, head and endowed chair in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and �̾��ƵHigh Performance Computing Collaboratory Director Trey Breckenridge. (Submitted photo)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A new partnership between �̾��Ƶ and Italy’s University of Salento will benefit both institutions as faculty work together advancing solutions to global food supply challenges through digital technology and smart agriculture.

University of Salento Rector Fabio Pollice and Vice Rector Maria Antonietta Aiello recently met with �̾��ƵAssociate Vice President for International Programs Dan Reynolds, High Performance Computing Collaboratory Director Trey Breckenridge and Professor Alex Thomasson, head and endowed chair in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. �̾��ƵSenior Advisor for European and Data Science Development Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi also was part of the �̾��Ƶdelegation visiting Lecce, Italy. A reciprocal visit by the Salento leaders to Mississippi and �̾��Ƶis planned for late summer or early fall.

The institutions plan a digital technology and sustainable agriculture workshop next semester in Salento with an additional spring event involving faculty from both universities. Among the collaborative work will be MSU’s involvement in addressing Xylella, a bacteria that has killed olive trees in the Salento region.

�̾��ƵProvost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said both entities are welcoming the new alliance and looking forward to the productivity that will result.

“My colleagues at �̾��Ƶenjoyed their recent visit and returned with enthusiasm about the opportunity to establish a sustainable partnership with the University of Salento. I find the topic of digital technology and smart agriculture extremely important to meet the increased demand for high quality production of foods while we also preserve our environment and natural resources,” Shaw said.

“I look forward to learning more from scientists at the University of Salento and the visit of Rector Pollice to our university. I believe in this partnership because it creates opportunities for our students to become international citizens and for faculty to deepen their scientific collaboration with peers in different contexts,” he continued.

Rector Pollice described the recent meeting as “a very fruitful cognitive meeting which gave us the opportunity to illustrate and compare resources and skills.”

Of the mutual topics of interest, Pollice referred to smart technologies for sustainable agriculture as “a theme of fundamental importance for our territory, which will therefore be able to make use of a strategic partner for international projection, with undoubted positive repercussions also for the training of our students.”

Learn more about the University of Salento at .

�̾��Ƶis Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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