From 5th to 10th July 2025, Dr. Harison Kipkulei was privileged to participate in the Leguminose Summer school at Boku University, Vienna, Austria. The summer school provided theoretical foundations and hands-on experience in modelling intercropping systems using the process-based InterCrop model, developed within the EU-funded LEGUMINOSE project (www.leguminose.eu).

He extensively explored the principles of crop modelling, especially under intercropping systems and learned how the tools can help better understand, design and evaluate cereal-legume intercropping systems. The summer school was packed with combined lectures, hands-on exercises and group discussions to deepen understanding of intercropping modelling.

Personally, he had a unique experience on how plant-soil-and climate interactions occur under diversified cropping systems. This experience will significantly shape his research, especially under his geographical scope of Sub-Saharan Africa, where diversified cropping systems are dominant.

Apart from learning, he also interacted and networked with other early-career researchers and professionals from around the world.

He sincerely appreciates the FAI graduate Hub for approving his application and the generous grant he obtained from the Central Graduate Centre to support his participation in the summer school.

(Left) Leguminose intercropping session in progress and (Right) A group photo of the summer school participants with Prof. Dr Ahmad M. Manschadi (2nd Left, third row)