International Student Interest in SUA Significantly Increased, Supported by a Creative Campaign

The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra is making steady progress in the field of internationalization. Interest from international students has grown significantly, thanks in part to a successful marketing campaign that also caught the attention of industry experts.

“We want to move further in internationalization and attract more international students, which is why we embraced a modern creative approach. The new campaign helped us double the number of international applications. We want to continue in this spirit, and we are now preparing a creative campaign aimed at domestic applicants as well,” explained SUA Rector, Prof. Klaudia Halászová.

The imaginative video campaign, accompanied by the website beforeitstoolate.sk, has a post-apocalyptic theme. It was highly praised by advertising and marketing professionals. In the February issue of Stratégie magazine, the campaign “Study agriculture before it’s too late” won in two categories -Campaign and Film - online film and video. Overall, it reached more than 10 million unique users via YouTube and banner ads, recorded 30 million ad impressions, and achieved over 8 million views, with an impressive average video completion rate of 69 percent.

SUA is also taking additional steps to strengthen its internationalization activities. On October 31, the university will complete a project focused on raising the level of internationalization, supported by the Slovak Recovery and Resilience Plan. The results of the audit will help the university define its goals and strategy, contributing to an overall increase in internationalization efforts at SUA.

“As part of the innovation of study programs currently underway, we have introduced a new course called the ‘mobility window,’ which is also linked to the amendment of the Higher Education Act. We want our students to gain international experience, whether through mobility or through guest lectures delivered by foreign academics and professionals,” added Prof. Halászová.

A new support service is also being prepared—a student contact point, which will be located in the former reading room under the Aula. Here, students will receive information on studies, mobility opportunities, the Erasmus+ program, support for talented students, internships, extracurricular activities, and student clubs. The opening is planned by the end of 2025.

“By placing this center in the heart of the university, we will expand the student zone. Students will find all the information they need in one place,” concluded Rector Halászová.