The first day of the 16th Conference of the international CASEE network was held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana under the theme “Next Stop Europe: Shaping the Future of Agriculture and Life Sciences Education”, bringing together academics, experts, institutional representatives, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond.
As the organizing university of this international conference, the Agricultural University of Tirana welcomed participants and academic partners to one of the most important regional events in the field of education and life sciences.
The conference officially opened with welcome addresses by the Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana, Prof. Dr. Fatbardh Sallaku, CASEE President Prof. Florin Stanica, representatives of FAO, CIHEAM, AICS, BOKU University, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The opening ceremony was moderated by UBT Director of Communication and PR, Besmira Pelushaj.
The main focus of the first day was the theme “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Albania’s EU Path in Agriculture and Environment and the Role of Higher Education,” which addressed the challenges and reforms related to Albania’s European integration process in the sectors of agriculture, environment, water management, fisheries, and rural development.
The first session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Myqerem Tafaj and brought together experts and representatives of European and Albanian institutions. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and professor at UBT, Fatmir Guri, presented the developments of Albania’s agricultural sector in the context of EU accession negotiations. Andrea Ferrero from the Delegation of the European Union to Albania discussed the reforms and European perspective of Albanian agriculture, while Hans Kordik presented the key reform priorities for Albania’s agricultural sector on its path toward EU integration. Debora Bonucci, Team Leader of the EU4Rivers project, addressed the role of water sector reform in Albania’s European integration process.
In the second session, moderated by Prof. Hans-Peter Kaul from BOKU University, discussions focused on European fisheries policies, water management, and the future of higher education. Expert Mirta Novak presented the requirements and opportunities of the European Common Fisheries Policy for Albania. Prof. Guido Zolezzi from the University of Trento spoke about integrated water and sediment management in Albania in line with European directives on water and flood management. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer from BOKU University presented the strategic priorities of the UBT2030 project and the vision for the future of higher education in the fields of life sciences and agriculture.
CASEE 2026 is serving as an important international platform for the exchange of ideas, the strengthening of academic cooperation, and the promotion of the Agricultural University of Tirana’s role in the European transformation of higher education, scientific research, and sustainable development in the region.
