In June 2026, within the framework of the Erasmus+ staff training mobility programme, Associate Professor Tatjana Krama and  Professor Indrikis Krams from Daugavpils University visited Firat University in Elazığ, Türkiye. The mobility took place at the Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Aquaculture, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Naim Sağlam.

The main aim of the mobility was to strengthen academic and methodological competence in aquatic animal health, aquaculture-related research and comparative animal biology. For researchers whose previous work has mainly focused on terrestrial animal ecology, behavioural ecology, animal stress and experimental animal studies, the visit provided a valuable opportunity to become acquainted with research traditions and laboratory approaches used in aquatic animal systems.

A central part of the mobility was the introduction to the academic profile and research infrastructure of Firat University. During the visit, we had meetings and professional discussions with Prof. Dr. Naim Sağlam and other academic staff. These discussions focused on aquaculture, aquatic animal biology, fish health, aquatic parasites, leech biology and laboratory-based approaches used in studies of aquatic organisms. Particular attention was paid to how aquaculture, disease ecology, parasitology and molecular methods can be integrated in research and higher education.

The laboratory visits were especially useful because they provided direct insight into practical research organisation at the host institution. We were introduced to selected laboratory facilities and research practices related to aquatic animal health, parasitology and fish disease studies. Seeing these facilities made it possible to compare methodological approaches used in aquatic animal research with those used in terrestrial animal ecology and experimental behavioural studies. This comparison was important for broadening our understanding of animal biology across different ecological systems.

The mobility also created an opportunity to exchange experience on teaching, student supervision and research planning. We discussed how selected approaches and good practices observed at Firat University could be relevant for future academic work at Daugavpils University, particularly in topics related to animal biology, ecology, parasitology, animal welfare and comparative experimental research.

An important outcome of the visit was the establishment of direct academic contact between researchers from Daugavpils University and Firat University. The mobility contributed to the internationalisation of Daugavpils University by supporting exchange of experience between institutions with different research traditions, infrastructures and scientific priorities. It also created a basis for further communication and possible future cooperation in areas where aquatic animal health, parasitology, disease ecology and comparative animal biology overlap with the existing research interests of Daugavpils University.

Overall, the Erasmus+ mobility at Firat University was a professionally useful and academically valuable experience. It provided insight into research and training practices in aquaculture and aquatic animal health, broadened our methodological perspective beyond terrestrial animal systems, and strengthened international academic contacts. The visit also confirmed the importance of direct professional exchange for identifying new ideas, good practices and possible directions for future cooperation between Daugavpils University and Firat University.

For more information:
Senior Researcher
Department of Biodiversity
Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies
Daugavpils University
tatjana.krama@du.lv