Irrigation and Sustainable Oliviculture in the Mediterranean
Summer School 2025
- 8 - 12 September 2025
- Piran & Koper, Slovenia
Are you passionate about sustainable agriculture and eager to address the challenges of Mediterranean olive cultivation? Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the Irrigation and Sustainable Oliviculture in the Mediterranean Summer School 2025 — a unique, hands-on educational experience in the heart of the Mediterranean.
What to Expect
- Expert-led lectures: Learn from leading researchers and practitioners in irrigation management and sustainable oliviculture.
- Hands-on workshops: Gain practical skills in water conservation, soil health, and climate adaptation strategies for olive groves.
- Field visits: Experience real-world applications through guided tours of innovative olive farms using sustainable and regenerative practices.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow students, professionals, and experts from across the Mediterranean region.
Why Attend
- Discover the latest science and technology for efficient irrigation and resilient olive farming.
- Explore how sustainable practices can boost biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and enhance olive oil quality.
- Learn about rational water management, regenerative agriculture, and climate change adaptation—key to the future of Mediterranean farming.
Who Should Apply
This summer school is designed for people with background in agriculture, biodiversity, biology, environmental science and natural science:
- Students and early-career researchers in agriculture, environmental science, or related fields
- Farmers, consultants, and agribusiness professionals
- Policymakers and stakeholders interested in sustainable food systems
Virtual Component
- Thursday 4.9.2025 at 16.00 (Paris time)
- Wednesday 17.9.2025 at 11.00
Monday
Location: EMUNI University, Piran
9:30 – 10:00 Opening of Summer School & Welcome at EMUNI
10:00 – 11:00 CIHEAM Zaragoza – Sustainable Agriculture: The North Mediterranean Experience -Dr.Raúl Compés López, Director CIHEAM Zaragoza
11:00 – 11:30 Agriculture and White Phosphoru – Mariam Younes, AMWAJ Lebanon
11:30 – 12:00 SEKEM – Sustainable Agriculture: The South Mediterranean Experience -Dr. Marwa Mokhtar Abdalgeleel Khairallah, Heliopolis University
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break (self-paid)
13:00 – 15.30 The digitalization of olive cultivation and irrigation in response to climate change – Dr. Ramzi Belkhodja, CIHEAM Zaragoza
16:00 – 17:00 Guided Tour of Piran
Tuesday
Location: ZRS, Koper
8:00 – 9:00 Travel from Piran to Koper
9:00 – 9:30 Welcome at the Partner institution
9:30 – 10:30 From Roots to Resilience: Breeding and Biodiversity Strategies for Climate-Smart Olive Orchard -Dr. Marwa Mokhtar Abdalgeleel Khairallah, Heliopolis University
10:30 – 12:00 Adaptive Cultivation in Olive Growing for Changing Environments – Dr. Maja Podgornik, Institute for Oliveculture, ZRS Koper
12:00 –13:00 Lunch Break (self-paid) + Travel to Marezige
13:00 – 16:30 Visit to a Demonstration Orchard in Marezige with Hands-on Presentation of Irrigation and Measurement Tools -Dr. Jakob Fantinič
Wednesday
Location: Full day field visit, Izola
9:00 – 13:00
- Introduction to Irrigation management: Techniques and Benefits for Plants -Msc Jakob Fantinič, Institute for
- Oliveculture, ZRS Koper Olive Oil: Composition, Bioactive Properties and Use -Prof.Benhamidat Lyna, University of Tlemcen
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch Break (self-paid)
14:30 – 15:30 Visit of ZRS Laboratories and Sensorial Olive Oil Tasting
Thursday
Location: EMUNI University, Piran
9:30 – 12:00
- Olive Oil Processing and By-Product Valorization under Climate Change and Irrigation Challenges – Rok Babič, Institute for Oliveculture, ZRS Koper
- Valorisation of By-products and enhancing the soil biodiversity – Rok Babič, Institute for Oliveculture, ZRS Koper
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch time (self-paid)
13:00 – 15:30
- Soil Properties: Understanding the Foundation of Healthy Plant Growth – Dr. Marwa Mokhtar Abdalgeleel Khairallah, Heliopolis University
- Free-Living Soil Nematodes as Indicators of Soil Health: General Insights and Irrigation Impacts – Dr. Mateja Grego, Institute for Oliveculture, ZRS Koper
16:00 – 17:00 Preparation for the Farewell Party
17:00 – 20:00 Farewell Party @ EMUNI Library: Students prepare the concept of the party (courtesy of EMUNI)
Friday
Location: EMUNI University, Piran
9:30 − 12:00
- Harvesting at the Right Time: How Summer Water Stress and Climate Define Olive Oil Quality -MsC Albert Kravos, Institute for Oliveculture, ZRS Koper
- Roundtable Dialogues – Prof.Benhamidat Lyna & Prof. Marwa Mokhtar Abdalgeleel Khairallah
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch time (self-paid)
13:00 – 14:30 Student’s Exam or Presentations
15:00 – 16:00 Official Conclusion, awarding the Certificates of Participation
Certificates
Certificate of Attendance: awarded at the end of the summer school to all participants who have completed the programme.
Transcript of Records (with 3 ECTS credits and grades): awarded only to participants who complete all course requirements and pass the final exam. Transcripts will be emailed to each participant individually. Hard copies will not be issued. Participants’ home institutions should contact us directly if this is required.
The Summer School is organized by:
Labelled by:
