The Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) proudly marks a significant academic milestone with the successful defense of four doctoral dissertations in key fields of environmental science, climate studies, fisheries, and agricultural economics—heralding a new chapter in advanced research and innovation at the university.
These four doctoral defenses represent not only individual academic excellence, but also the growing strength of UBT’s scientific infrastructure, research capacity, and international academic integration.
The candidates Adri Erebara, Anjeza Bekolli, Elvis Kamberi and Gladiola Malollari completed their PhD journeys under joint supervision with distinguished professors from Germany, Spain, and Italy. Their academic work was further strengthened through research stays and collaborations with leading European institutions, including the University of Hohenheim, Germany University of Split in Croatia, Institute of Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg, Germany, the University of Alicante, Spain, the University of Molise, Italy and the TROPOS Institute in Leipzig, Germany. These experiences are clearly reflected in their strong international publications and scientific output.
Their doctoral research addresses highly relevant and impactful themes:
- Blue carbon storage potential of Albanian coastal wetlands and their role in climate change mitigation (Adri Erebara).
- Cooperative game theory applications in agri-food supply chains for fair and efficient value distribution (Anjeza Bekolli).
- Long-term impacts of climate change and fishing pressure on marine ecosystems in the Adriatic Sea (Elvis Kamberi).
- Advanced atmospheric aerosol profiling and air quality assessment using ground-based and satellite lidar technologies (Gladiola Malollari).
Importantly, all four doctoral research projects were financially supported by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) within the framework of the Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) project, as well as by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). We extend our sincere gratitude for their continuous and valuable support.
These doctoral achievements and those that will follow, are a direct product of the already established philosophy at AUT, firmly oriented toward quality, applied research, and responsiveness to the needs of the market and the wider community. This strategic approach ensures that doctoral education at AUT is not only academically rigorous, but also socially and economically relevant.
Crucially, these doctoral defenses stand as a direct outcome of the ongoing AUT–BOKU reform partnership, reinforcing and upgrading AUT’s scientific competencies in highly specialized fields and consolidating a research culture fully aligned with European standards of excellence.
Together, these studies provide original scientific contributions that directly respond to today’s environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Most importantly, these milestones confirm AUT’s strategic commitment to high-quality doctoral education and research that serves society. As the first four doctoral defenses of this new academic phase, they open the way for many more PhD completions currently in progress at AUT.
With this milestone, AUT continues to strengthen its position as a leading center of research and innovation in the region bridging science, international collaboration, and real-world impact in line with European priorities and sustainable development goals.
AUT extends its best wishes for continued success to these four young researchers and encourages them to further pursue their academic and professional journey, actively promoting and integrating their knowledge into both the teaching process and scientific research activities, thereby strengthening these fields as real institutional priorities and core competencies for AUT, as well as for the broader scientific community in Albania, in order to enhance the quality of education and benefit students and society alike.
