Jánošíkove dieryMeet Dr. Sawadogo Alidou who has spent 10 months in Slovakia via National Scholarship Programme. This time enabled him to move on with his research which was conducted in different study areas, under different climate conditions
and various crop production system across Slovakia.

My name is Sawadogo Alidou, from Burkina Faso. I hold a Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering from Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi, with a specialization in Land and Water Management. My expertise lies in quantifying spatiotemporal variations in agricultural water use through remote sensing techniques to improve water management practices and promote sustainable crop production.

I was awarded a scholarship by the Slovak National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic, which enabled me to spend ten months at the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) in Bratislava.

Malý RozsutecUnder the supervision of Dr. Pavol Nejedlik, I worked on a research project titled “Earth Observation-Based Assessment of Soil, Weather, and Crop Management Factors Determining Winter Wheat Water Use across Slovakia.” This study aim to develop machine-learning model together with satellite-derived actual evapotranspiration (ETa) to assess the main soil, weather and crop management variables explaining the variability of ETa between fields and seasons. This research topic provided a platform to critically examine key challenges in agricultural water management and apply state-of-the-art technologies for precision agricultural water management. The project involved handling a large and diverse dataset, including information on crops, weather, soil properties, and crop management practices. Therefore, from data collection to analysis, I received strong support from my supervisor, his team, and colleagues at the Institute of Hydrology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. During my stay at the SAS, I worked in an international research environment where I developed valuable professional relationships that will benefit my future career. I also found the research environment to be both stimulating and flexible.

Slovak folk artAmong my research activities, I had the opportunity to visit the Lomnický štít, Skalnaté pleso, Štrbské Pleso observatories, where I gained valuable knowledge about meteorological and astronomical research activities. This experience provided valuable insights into data collection methods and the role of high-altitude observations in climate and environmental studies. I also visited the Hurbanovo Geomagnetic Observatory of the Earth Science Institute, the oldest continuously operating magnetic observatory in Central and Eastern Europe, with a history spanning over 150 years.

Living in Bratislava was a wonderful experience, rich in culture, art, and tourism. Every two weeks, I went hiking with colleagues, which gave me the opportunity to visit many beautiful tourist destinations across Slovakia. The places I visited were Jankov Vŕšok, Uhrovecký Hrad, Jánošíkove Diery, Záruby, Hlbočiansky vodopád, Panská Javorina, Hrad Ostrý Kameň, Jaskyňa Driny, Tatry, Malý Rozsutec, Hrad Devín among others. I also took part in various cultural and artistic activities in Bratislava and Trencin.

Skalnaté plesoMy stay in Slovakia was shaped by a rich combination of research, tourism, cultural, and artistic activities, making it both enjoyable and memorable. Although I did not speak Slovak, most people spoke English, and my colleagues were always supportive. I am deeply grateful to the National Scholarship Program of the Slovak Republic and highly recommend Slovakia as a welcoming and rewarding destination for young researchers.