Florida A&M University (FAMU) students and faculty participated in the annual Nexus Energy, Water, and Food Summit held in Hungary, where they joined international leaders to address environmental issues. The summit was established in 2015 by Victor Ibeanusi, Dean of the School of the Environment at FAMU, and has become a key event for collaboration among participants from multiple continents.
“This is not a conference; it is a summit with tangible outcomes,” said Ibeanusi. “We are training the next generation of leaders to address environmental issues on a global scale.”
The event featured delegations from Germany, Hungary, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and others. FAMU students contributed as “Nexus note takers,” documenting sessions and engaging with research topics such as water quality, food security, artificial intelligence applications in sustainability, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Reflecting on his experience at the summit, Yerimiah Evans, a political science major from Orlando and member of the Class of 2028, stated: “What impacted me most was the company I was with. Throughout our travels, we encountered new cultures and customs, but they always kept me grounded.” He added that participating in the summit influenced his career ambitions related to Florida politics and nonprofit work: “This trip reminded me of the variety of people I wish to one day serve. People come from all around the world, and this trip to Hungary gave me a fresh perspective on a new culture I want to uplift.” His advice for fellow students was: “Take it. Don’t think about it too much; just do it. Even if you regret it or don’t end up enjoying it, it will be an experience you will never forget.”
During the summit’s nine thematic tracks—ranging from water quality monitoring to zero greenhouse gas emissions strategies—students gained insight into how science informs policy globally. These experiences offered them frameworks for applying solutions both internationally and within Florida.
Cultural exchange was also part of their visit. Students stayed at University of Miskolc dormitories where they interacted with local peers; for some Hungarian students it was their first encounter with African American students. The itinerary included visits to historic sites such as an iron smelting location and Budapest’s wine country.
Support for FAMU’s participation came from industry sponsors including Dow Chemical Company and Duke Energy. The U.S. Department of Energy funds Nexus program research while private partners assisted with travel costs.
“This is a life-changing experience for our students,” said Joel Blount Jr., coordinator of Academic Programs in FAMU’s School of the Environment who accompanied the group. “Study abroad opportunities give them a global perspective and help prepare them to enter a workforce that is more interconnected than ever.”
Several professionals were recognized during the summit for contributions in innovation and sustainability: Attila Havas (University of Debrecen), Erzsébet Poór-Pócsi (environmental engineer), and Ashutosh Sharma (Tecnológico de Monterrey).
Each Nexus Summit results in post-summit proceedings reports with opportunities for publication in the International Journal of Energy, Water, Food Nexus edited by Ibeanusi; work by faculty and students from this year’s event will appear in an upcoming issue.
Future summits are planned for Latin America next year followed by events in Asia through 2028.
“Our goal is to create a new science enterprise with the potential to solve global challenges,” Ibeanusi said. “We are committed to giving our students these opportunities because they are the ones who will lead the way forward.”
