For students from FAMU students, a trip to Hungary this month was more than an academic excursion — it was a master class in global problem-solving, set against the backdrop of Europe’s evolving environmental landscape.
They were participants in the annual FAMU Nexus Energy, Water, and Food Summit, a gathering founded in 2015 that has grown into a significant platform for international collaboration on the world’s most pressing resource challenges. The summit, which drew delegations from Germany, Hungary, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and beyond, was conceived by Victor Ibeanusi, dean of FAMU’s School of the Environment, to move beyond talk and toward action.
“This is not a conference; it is a summit with tangible outcomes,” Dr. Ibeanusi said. “We are training the next generation of leaders to address environmental issues on a global scale.”
Last year's conference was held in South Africa, with future summits planned for Latin America and Asia, the event blends high-level research with hands-on student involvement. FAMU students served as “Nexus note takers,” documenting sessions on issues ranging from A.I.-driven circular economies to climate-resilient agriculture, while gaining exposure to cutting-edge science and policy debates.
For Yerimiah Evans, a political science major from Orlando set to graduate in 2028, the experience was transformative. “What impacted me most was the company I was with,” he said. “Throughout our travels, we encountered new cultures and customs, but they always kept me grounded.”
The summit, Mr. Evans noted, sharpened his focus on a future in public service. “This trip reminded me of the variety of people I wish to one day serve,” he said. “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 to other students was simple: “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.”
The technical work of the summit was organized around nine critical themes, including water quality, food security, big data, microbial systems and achieving soil carbon goals. Each track combined scientific research with real-world applications, offering students a framework for understanding how interdisciplinary approaches can address complex challenges both abroad and in their home state of Florida.
Beyond the conference rooms, the trip included rich opportunities for cultural exchange. Students stayed in dormitories at the University of Miskolc, where many local students were interacting with African American peers for the first time. The itinerary also featured visits to a historic iron smelting site, wine country in northern Hungary and the capital city of Budapest.
The journey was supported by industry sponsors including Dow Chemical Company and Duke Energy, while research funding came from the U.S. Department of Energy. Private partners helped cover international travel and logistics, making it possible for students to participate.
“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.”
The summit also included the presentation of the 2025 Nexus Global Thought Leaders Awards, which honored researchers including Attila Havas of the University of Debrecen, environmental engineer Erzsébet Poór-Pócsi and Ashutosh Sharma, a bioengineering professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Each summit results in a proceedings report, and participants are invited to publish in the International Journal of Energy, Water, Food Nexus, a peer-reviewed journal edited by Dr. Ibeanusi. Work from the Hungary summit will appear in a forthcoming edition.
With future summits already planned for Latin America, Asia and Tokyo, the Nexus initiative continues to expand its reach — and its ambition.
“Our goal is to create a new science enterprise with the potential to solve global challenges,” Dr. Ibeanusi said. “We are committed to giving our students these opportunities because they are the ones who will lead the way forward.”