International Horticultural Science

Dario Bergianti

· Host Institution: Utengule Estates Tanzania Limited - Tanzania

· Mobility period: aprile 2026 - luglio 2026

· Supervisor: Prof.ssa Antonella Samoggia

· Thesis title: Competitive Positioning in the Specialty Coffee Market: A Comparative Analysis of Utengule Coffee Estate

Dario’s story

I learned about the call for applications through presentations I had attended […]. I had always intended to apply for the Thesis Abroad Programme and to carry out my thesis project in a context where agriculture plays a central role in economic and social development […]. Thanks to Professor Samoggia, I learned about the company where I carried out the experience and, after conducting research and gaining a deeper understanding of the sector and defining the project, I applied for the call. The thesis analyses the competitive positioning of Utengule Coffee Estate in the Tanzanian quality coffee market. Through the study of the company, the analysis of products available in retail outlets, and the collection of consumer data, the project aims to identify the main differentiation factors and possible strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of a business operating in the Tanzanian coffee sector. I was involved in various aspects of agricultural management […] with the aim of collecting information for the thesis case study. I studied the coffee roasting and distribution activities by carrying out several quantitative analyses, visiting the main retail outlets in the city, and analysing the characteristics and prices of ground and whole-bean coffee products. I also administered questionnaires to consumers to investigate their purchasing and consumption habits. Different types of coffee were presented to consumers for tasting, and they were asked to complete an evaluation form. I acquired knowledge about the management of a company, from production and roasting to product distribution. I improved my ability to organise complex activities and I learned to use the software employed for data collection. […] I had the opportunity to learn about many aspects of Tanzanian society and its dynamics with one of the leading companies in the sector. I would definitely do this experience again. […] I had the opportunity to experience a reality different from the one I am used to.

Gaia Depalo

· Host Institution: Universidad de Almería - Spain

· Mobility period: 2026 april 2026 - july 2026

· Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Orsini

· Thesis title: Risposta della ricrescita di Eruca sativa all’applicazione fogliare di nanoparticelle di fosfato di Calcio amorfo (nACP) semplici e arricchite con Zinco.

Gaia’s story

I became aware of the call through the communications and informational emails sent by the Department. […] I chose the University of Almería because I had previously completed my Erasmus mobility at the same institution […], allowing me to continue and complete my academic path. This allowed me to further strengthen the knowledge and professional relationships I had already developed, while facilitating my integration into the research and academic environment. My thesis investigates the response of rocket (Eruca sativa) to the foliar application of amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles and zinc-enriched amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles in a closed vertical farming system. The aim is to evaluate the effects of the treatments on plant growth, productivity, and regrowth capacity after harvesting by analyzing physiological and productive parameters such as chlorophyll content, leaf development, and biomass. The study also aims to determine the accumulation of calcium, phosphorus, nitrates, and zinc in plant tissues, assessing the potential biofortification effect of the zinc-enriched treatments and comparing nutrient uptake efficiency among the different treatments. During the mobility period, I participated in the experimental activities carried out in the university greenhouse, monitoring plant growth and responses following the application of the different treatments […]. Destructive measurements were also performed throughout the cultivation cycle […]. The project further included activities aimed at investigating root nutrient uptake efficiency under the different treatments. The period abroad allowed me to acquire and deepen my knowledge of innovative techniques in plant nutrition applied to horticultural production. I gained greater autonomy and familiarity with different instruments and practically applied the protocols required for the assessment of the selected parameters. […] Working in a multicultural academic environment also contributed to the development of my collaborative and communication skills. I would definitely recommend and repeat this experience because of the opportunity it offers to work on a current and interdisciplinary research topic. […]. I consider the period abroad to have been a highly valuable experience from both a professional and a personal perspective.

Alessandra Alario

• Host Institution: Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), Dominican Republic
• Mobility period: luglio 2025 - novembre 2025
• Supervisor: Prof. Ornella Francioso
• Thesis title: Ethnobotanical Characterization of Annona squamosa L. and Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. in the community of Bayaguana, Dominican Republic: Traditinal Knowledge and Local Use Practices

Alessandra's story

I knew that two times a year the call “Thesis Abroad” would’ve been published, so I waited until it was the right time to participate. The first time I saw the call was on my institutional e-mail. I was so happy when I found out that I had been accepted! I found my host University on the very same call, although the previous project was over, I was able to find another one by connecting with them directly. A comprehensive quantitative analysis using different Ethnobotanical Indices was conducted, along with statistical correlation tests, to analyze open and closed responses of several interviews. Questions wondered about the knowledge, traditional uses and conservation practices of the plants A. squamosa and G. ulmifolia. […] The Ethnobotanical characterization aims at collocating the local knowledge of these plants into an international contest, while the descriptive and inferential statistics allowed to catch a glimpse of the traditional uses and cultural practice connected to these plants. I have analyzed data from 48 interviews. My job comprehended the codification of the data on Excel and the creation of a general codebook. After which I started analyzing the collected data through both descriptive and inferential statistics on the software R studio. I have then performed a literature review about the ethnobotanical characterization of different species around the world and identify the most suited Ethnobotanical indices and apply them. This experience changed my life. It was amazing flying to the other part of the world and confront myself with completely different cultures. For sure now I know how to use R like a pro, but the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve lived are much more valuable to me than anything! I would do it again, because I feel like I’m a different person now and I grew a lot. […] I think that the only thing that shall be improved is the scholarship. My destination wasn’t cheap and the majority of the money from the call were used for the flight’s tickets. […]

Hamayun Shabir

• Host Institution: UCDavis University of California Davis, United States
• Mobility Period: May 2025 - October 2025
• Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Orsini
• Thesis Title: Optimizing Fertilizer Management, Abiotic Stresses and Enhancing Tomato Yield in Soilless Cultivation through Biostimulant Application within the Water-Food-Energy Nexus

Hamayun's Story

I have been always keen about finding opportunities so after I was in 1st semester, I was always checking IMAHS website for such kind of opportunities so this is where I discovered it and also then via emails it kept me reminding of the opportunity abroad. Choosing University of California, Davis - the name itself defines its excellence in agricultural sciences - which always kept me motivated to do my research thesis at such prestigious university. I started my research as soon as I arrived the facilities were amazing and the research quality is great, rather than this I was always involved with other scholars meeting. […] [Ed. note: The student did not provide the Abstract when submitting the final report] I feel that this mobility gave me a whole lot experience of being at World class University doing research there learning how to do it, like designing trials, data collection and analysing it, rather than this being in a diverse culture further enhanced my public dealing skills and overall development. If I am given one more chance to do it, I will not think twice I will always love doing such activities that develop you not only academically but personally also, getting in touch with global students and professors is indeed a worth experience, for me being in a place to learn always new things and develop connections I would prefer again going, all the things are perfectly managed by the University of Bologna in terms of process, selection start and end, but what I feel is there should be increase in the monetary value to help more students.

Andrei Pasquali

• Host Institution: Sun'Agri, France
• Mobility Period: May 2023 - July 2023
• Supervisor: Prof. Brunella Morandi
• Thesis Title: Assessment of the Ecophysiological and productive performance of fruit tree orchards under dynamic agrivoltaic systems

Andrei's Story

I was informed by Professor Brunella Morandi about the possibility of project in France in a company that deals with research in the agrivoltaic sector. Coming to know about this call, through the university website. […] Sun’agri of Montpellier has a consolidated relationship of collaboration with the University of Bologna. This has made it possible to simplify contacts with the company. […] Several activities were carried out during the mobility period: the use of fruit gauges for the fruit growth monitoring, the measurement of water potential using a pressure chamber, the measurement of specific leaf area with a leaf area meter, the installation of thermocouples for temperature monitoring for fruits and leaves and the use of an infrared camera for organs temperature monitoring. […] Furthermore, among the activities carried out, I would like to mention the learning of protocol drafting techniques for the field activities, in order to determine the most interesting variable for that specific study. The organizational aspect allowed me, among other things, to learn the use of a specific software (Git lab) which allows online sharing of files and to have the possibility to organize all the other activities. […] I consider this the most formative and the most useful experience, as it allowed me to leave the classic university canon, and enter the hearth of a corporative reality, particularly in a foreign country. I believe that facing this type of experience has allowed me to grow professionally, but also from a more personal point of view. In conclusion, I recommend this experience as it allows us students to improve the curriculum, and also to take advantage of us for the future world of work.