La Rioja University delegation visited Caucasus International University on a one-week return visit within the framework of Erasmus+ program staff mobility. The members of the delegation were: Miguel Angel Acedo Ramirez - Professor, Director of the Strategic Project “European Universities Initiative”, Department of Economics and Entrepreneurship; Julia Arbizu - Head of the Master’s Program in Agronomy, Department of Agriculture and Food; Elena González Fandos - Professor of Food Technology, Director of the Strategic Project “Wine Region”, Department of Agriculture and Food.

Within the framework of the visit, meetings and negotiations were held with the Rector of Caucasus International University, representatives of the International Relations Department, the Dean of the Faculty of Viticulture and Winemaking and the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Viticulture and Winemaking in the scientific direction.

The existing cooperation between the universities in the direction of viticulture and winemaking, exchange opportunities for students and academic staff, and opportunities for further collaboration in both academic and research directions were discussed during the meetings.

As a result of the meeting, the parties reached an agreement so that Caucasus International University as an associate member joins the initiative of La Rioja University “Union of European Universities”, whose members will be the leading universities of Europe in the direction of viticulture and wine tourism.

Additionally, the representatives of La Rioja University visited the infrastructure and laboratories of the Faculty of Viticulture and Winemaking at Caucasus International University, the wine cellar “Kolkhi” and the winery of Caucasus International University “Ethno Okami”. They positively assessed the development strategy of the university in the mentioned direction and expressed their readiness to develop further joint projects and collaboration.

It should be noted that Caucasus International University has been actively cooperating with La Rioja University since 2019, within the framework of which the parties implement staff and student mobility.