The future of agriculture and the Agricultural University of Tirana's new academic programs, aimed at educating the next generation of experts in the field, were the focus of a television program on Ora News. Guests included Prof. Dr. Seit Shallari, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, along with assistant lecturers Fatos Huqi and Xhulio Sema, who shared the university's vision for modernizing agricultural education, advancing scientific research, and enhancing the competitiveness of Albanian agriculture within the framework of the country's European Union integration process.
Prof. Dr. Seit Shallari highlighted the comprehensive reform of the Agricultural University of Tirana's academic portfolio, which includes the development of new study programs focused on digital agriculture, sustainable development, food security, and advanced technologies. According to him, these programs have been designed to address the real needs of the labor market and respond to the ongoing transformation of the agri-food sector.
He highlighted the bachelor's program "Agricultural Sciences and Food Security," which aims to educate modern agricultural professionals with expertise in production, management, and agribusiness development, as well as the "Information Technology in Agriculture" program, which focuses on digital agriculture, automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
According to Prof. Shallari, the new academic programs have been developed based on a multidisciplinary model that integrates natural sciences, economics, and professional studies, preparing graduates to meet the standards and demands of the European labor market. He also highlighted the strategic partnership between the Agricultural University of Tirana and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), which has served as a foundation for the modernization of the university's study programs.
Speaking about the European Union integration process, Prof. Shallari stated that Albania will face new standards in the areas of food safety, environmental protection, rural development, and technological innovation. He emphasized that the Agricultural University of Tirana is investing in the education of specialists who will lead this transformation.
Assistant Lecturer Xhulio Sema emphasized the importance of sustainable water resource management and the role that scientific research plays in the European integration process. He noted that the Agricultural University of Tirana is actively engaged in doctoral research conducted in collaboration with universities in Germany and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), focusing on water resource management and environmental protection.
According to Sema, as part of this collaboration, a technological model already used in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg is being implemented, with the aim of introducing it in Albania for monitoring water quality and managing river basins. These projects are directly aligned with meeting European Union standards, particularly the requirements set out in Chapter 27 on the environment.
Meanwhile, Assistant Lecturer Fatos Huqi focused on the potential of Albanian agriculture to become more competitive in the European market. According to him, Albania should prioritize products in which it enjoys natural competitive advantages and can generate greater added value by capitalizing on its favorable climate, strategic geographic location, and rich biodiversity.
Huqi highlighted the medicinal and aromatic plants sector as one of the areas with the greatest export potential, thanks to Albania's rich biodiversity and the growing demand in international markets. He also emphasized the promising outlook for Albanian wines, noting that their quality has improved significantly in recent years and that they are gaining an increasingly stronger presence in the European Union market.
The three representatives of the Agricultural University of Tirana emphasized that quality education, scientific research, innovation, and international partnerships form the foundation for developing a modern, competitive agricultural sector aligned with European Union standards.