A class on robotics and city farming opened at USAU

Its equipment complies with the Federal State Educational Standard and allows the formation of relevant competencies according to WorldSkills standards.

This is the first project in RUSSIA that allows the formation and development of practical skills in the areas of secondary vocational and higher education: "Agronomy", "Gardening", "Operation of transport and technological machines and complexes", "Agroengineering", "Technological machines and equipment".

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Maxim Iosifovich Uvaydov, DIRECTOR of the Department of Education, Scientific and Technological Policy and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia Nina Aleksandrovna Ivanova and Rector of the Ural State Agrarian University Olga Gennadievna Loretts.

The new classroom is equipped with a vertical hydroponic farm for growing green and berry crops with an automatic control system, a microclimate, plants for growing fruit and berry and vegetable plants, as well as a training set of equipment for studying the basics of mobile robotics, a robotic constructor, a 3D printer, computer and office equipment, and many others.

Thus, the new training ground provides a theoretical and material basis for the implementation of various projects from the creation of robotic, hydro- and aeroponic systems to serious scientific and research experiments.

In the robotics and city farming class, students will be able to acquire systems thinking skills, learn how to draw up technological maps for growing plants in hydro- and aeroponic installations, master working with microelectronic components, calibrate and tune, engage in programming, manage projects and production processes based on on business optimization and maximum customer orientation.

it is planned that students of the Ural Agrarian University, interested schoolchildren will study there in the fall, and in addition, thematic events, exhibitions and master classes will be held.

“The opening of such an educational platform is a necessary step for the training of in-demand specialists who meet modern trends in the development of the agro-industrial complex. Our main goal is the development of city farming in the region and the introduction of elements of digitalization and robotization in agriculture. In the new classroom, we plan to train not only our students, but also interested schoolchildren, as well as practicing agricultural specialists,” said Olga Gennadievna Loretts, Rector of the Ural State Agrarian University, DOCTOR of Biological Sciences, Professor.
It should be noted that USAU students and scientists have been engaged in scientific developments in the field of digitalization and robotization of agriculture for several years. Among the latest inventions are a smart greenhouse, an ecobox for growing any plants, rotary hydroponics and a complex of unmanned remotely piloted vehicles.

Text - Yulia Filimonova
Photo - Vadim Shabratko