My experience as a research secondment across three incredible institutions in Spain, Germany, and Italy, from a collaborative organization, SAEIO Global Limited, was a profound blend of knowledge and growth. It was more than just a professional exchange; it was a scientific discovery, culture, and deep personal growth.

My first exchange was at the University of Granada, Spain. A one-month knowledge sharing. I was warmly welcomed by the host institution. The lead host in person was Professor Vanessa Martos Núñez, who introduced me to her vibrant team, a blend of researchers, PhD students, and postdocs from around the world. Several training sessions were organized during a short time. Webinars on how GIS and remote sensing were used to monitor olive groves. We visited olive groves and wine refineries and walked through grape fields. I attended seminars and workshops on olive oil extraction and sustainability practices. There I was able to research the potential of olive by-products in aquaculture. By the end of my stay, I had co-authored and submitted a paper titled “Optimizing Aquaculture: Harnessing the Growth and Immunological Benefits of Olive Plant Compounds for Blue Food Production.”

My next research secondment was in Afridat UG Germany, a research and innovation organization. Their research exacts tech-driven and brilliant collaboration. They are known for their advanced data modeling, GIS, and remote sensing skills. The lead host, Segun, and his colleagues introduced me to tools for analyzing environmental situations, climate data, crop health and productivity, machine learning and deep learning tools, and questionnaires on newly developed apps. I participated in intensive workshops on environmental monitoring, and I learned about Germany’s commitment. In the three months of experience with researchers from Asia, Africa, and Europe, I was able to contribute to various projects outlined under SUSTAINABLE.

My third secondment brought me to Italy. My host team was warm and welcoming; they integrated me into their research on agriculture, data collation, and analysis. Professor Riccardo Lo Bianco was the lead host, and I also met other collaborators in the groups of Dr. Roberto Massenti, Alessandro, Pedro, Gabriele, and some of the staff members. Daily walks through the landscape, tourist area, and historical buildings to the department for three months were an incredible experience. Learning with fellow researchers from around the globe made this journey deeply enriching. I took part in analyzing field data collection from soil and water testing from orange fruit.