The new Bachelor and Master programs, as well as the transformation of the Agricultural University of Tirana within the framework of the UBT2030 reform, were featured in the program “Auditor Arsimi” on Albanian Radio Television (RTSH).
Invited to the studio was Prof. Dr. Ardian Maçi, Head of the Study Curriculum Commission at the Agricultural University of Tirana, who spoke about the reform of the study programs and the new educational philosophy being implemented at the university. Meanwhile, the extended report prepared by journalist Edlira Birko also featured interviews with AUT Rector Prof. Dr. Fatbardh Sallaku, Prof. Dr. Ferdi Brahushi, as well as representatives of BOKU University in Vienna.
Prof. Dr. Ardian Maçi emphasized that the UBT2030 reform is built upon four main pillars: the teaching process, scientific research, administration, and the promotion of the university.
“This reform has four pillars. The first is the teaching process, which we have already completely renewed and will implement starting in September with the full package of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and later also PhD programs. The second pillar is scientific research, which also requires major reform. The third pillar is the administration, which will support teaching, research, and promotion. Meanwhile, the fourth pillar is promotion itself,” he stated.
UBT Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatbardh Sallaku, focused on the completion of the new academic offer and the expectations of students.
“I believe that students’ expectations have been met. The academic offer was not fully completed last year, as part of the Bachelor programs were offered according to the BOKU model, while the other programs were still undergoing restructuring. Now, the entire academic package has been finalized and is ready for the next academic year, both for the Bachelor’s and Master’s cycles,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Ferdi Brahushi, Head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, spoke about the implementation of the new study programs in cooperation with BOKU University.
“We have now been implementing the new Environmental and Water Engineering program for one year, a program developed in cooperation with BOKU Vienna. This collaboration has helped us establish a study program and curriculum similar to that of BOKU, with a strong interdisciplinary approach,” he stated.
BOKU University Rector, Prof. Dr. Eva Schulev-Steindl, praised the progress made in the development of the Master’s programs and the cooperation with the Agricultural University of Tirana.
“We are on the right track with the Master’s programs. BOKU University is working closely with AUT, and the Master’s programs follow interdisciplinary principles by integrating natural sciences, technical sciences, and socio-economic sciences,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the UBT-BOKU project, Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer, emphasized Albania’s potential in the development of life sciences and agriculture.
“Albania is structurally similar to Austria, but you have one major advantage: the sea, which we do not have. In this context, you will need to further develop agriculture and the life sciences sector while addressing the major challenges of the future,” he stated.
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