TIRANA, July 22 /ATA/ – Starting this September, the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT) will offer fully aligned degree programs with Austria’s University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), marking a significant step in Albania’s effort to modernize rural education in line with European Union standards.
Speaking at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Anila Denaj said the initiative was part of a long-term government strategy launched four years ago to elevate UBT into a European-standard academic institution.
“Thanks to close collaboration with Professor Hubert Hasenauer and the BOKU team, UBT will offer unified curricula that enhance teaching quality and strengthen scientific research in agronomy, veterinary studies, aquaculture, and rural development,” Denaj said.
Students enrolling this fall will be the first to receive degrees fully harmonized with the Austrian model – preparing them for Albania’s EU integration goals and the national vision 2030.
UBT aims to become a leading regional institution, with a modern campus hosting international lecturers and students for joint academic and research activities. Plans also include the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, a multidisciplinary hub for researchers and students from across the Western Balkans.
“In the spirit of an EU-aligned Albania, the vision is clear: to turn UBT into a top university in the region—where minds from the Balkans and beyond come to teach, learn, and innovate together,” Denaj stated.
Agriculture Minister also announced the creation of a Geoinformation Center for the Western Balkans, further advancing regional collaboration in agricultural research and education.
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