This Thursday, the 21st BOKU-UBT Mission was held at the Agricultural University of Tirana, with the participation of experts from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. This time, discussions focused closely on the practical implementation of the new Bachelor’s and Master’s study programs designed within the framework of the UBT2030 reform.
The meeting began with a Steering Committee session attended by the Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana, Prof. Dr. Fatbardh Sallaku, the Rector of BOKU University, Prof. Dr. Eva Schulev-Steindl, academic leaders of the university, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, representatives of ADA, as well as the BOKU team led by Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer.
Another highly important meeting was also held regarding the finalization of the doctoral study programs, with the participation of Prof. Dr. Erinda Lika, Vice Rector for Science and Projects, Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer, and Matthias Schreiner from BOKU University.
This was followed by an extended working session dedicated to supporting the implementation of the new study programs, attended by the coordinators of all restructured Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. Discussions focused on the organization of program implementation, the role of coordinators, timelines, and the necessary support required to ensure the most successful possible start of the new academic year.
The session was opened by Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer, Prof. Dr. Ilir Kapaj, Vice Rector for Teaching, and Prof. Assoc. Romina Koto, Vice Rector for Institutional Relations and Public Affairs, who emphasized the importance of moving from the phase of designing the study programs toward their concrete implementation in classrooms through a modern philosophy of teaching and academic management.
At this stage of the reform, the focus is no longer only on designing programs on paper, but on how these programs will come to life in lecture halls, laboratories, and in the real experience of students. For this very reason, such working meetings between UBT and BOKU University are gaining special importance, as they are serving as a bridge between the strategic vision and its concrete implementation in practice.
Through this continuous collaboration, the Agricultural University of Tirana is gradually building a new model of academic functioning, where study programs, teaching methodologies, and university organization aim to become simpler, more functional, and more closely aligned with the real needs of students and the labor market.
