On February 19, 2026, the Alumni Club of former students of the Department of Field and Vegetable Crops was officially established at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad. The ceremony was held in the Faculty’s amphitheater and marked an important milestone in strengthening the connection between generations of agronomists. The Club brings together all former students of the Field and Vegetable Crops study program, as well as those who defended their undergraduate, MSc, or PhD theses at the Department. The initiative to establish the Alumni Club was led by Prof. Dr. Borislav Banjac and Prof. Dr. Velimir Mladenov, who recognized the importance of institutional networking among generations of agronomists and strengthening cooperation between academia and the agricultural sector.
The ceremony was opened by Prof. Dr. Borislav Banjac, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of the Alumni Club as a platform for connecting generations, exchanging ideas, and improving agricultural education. He highlighted the symbolism of the Club’s slogan, “Learned from books, sown in the field,” which reflects the inseparable connection between academic knowledge and its practical application.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Nenad Magazin, also addressed the audience, expressing strong support for the initiative. He emphasized that alumni clubs play a vital role not only in reconnecting former students but also in preserving professional and personal relationships and strengthening collaboration between the Faculty and industry.
Academician Prof. Dr. Rudolf Kastori was appointed Honorary President of the Alumni Club. He was also a member of the first generation of students enrolled in the Field and Vegetable Crops study program in 1954, symbolically confirming the continuity and long-standing tradition of this academic program.
Among the first members of the Alumni Club was Professor Emeritus Dr. Marija Kraljević Balalić, who received a token of appreciation from her former students, now professors themselves, as a symbol of deep respect and gratitude for her long-standing dedication and invaluable contribution to educating generations of agronomists.
As part of the event, a panel discussion was held featuring distinguished experts in agronomy, including Dr. Ana Marjanović Jeromela, BSc Marija Pejić, and BSc Igor Džigurski (member of inno4veg). The discussion focused on the current state and future perspectives of agricultural education, the role of young professionals, and the importance of strengthening the connection between science and practice through Alumni Club activities.
The establishment of the Alumni Club represents an important step toward strengthening unity among generations of agronomists and provides a platform for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and advancement of the profession under modern agricultural production conditions. In this way, the Department of Field and Vegetable Crops has gained an institutional framework that will connect the past, present, and future of agronomic science.
