After three years of collaboration, the Agricultural University of Tirana organized the Final Conference of the PEVULOS project, presenting its results and impact on Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety.
The PEVULOS project, co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme, has brought together universities and institutions from the European Union and the Western Balkans, with the aim of strengthening postgraduate education and professional capacities in this field.
The conference was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Rezart Postoli; the Director of the National Food Authority, Dr. Blerina Gjylameti; and the Director General of the National Food and Veterinary Authority, Mr. Rolandi Meçaj.
The project coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Federica Riva from the University of Milan, provided an overview of PEVULOS’s journey, its key achievements, collaboration among the partners, and its impact on the development of postgraduate education.
One of the key outcomes is the development and implementation at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT) of the Specialization Programme in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety. Prof. Dr. Rezart Postoli presented the curriculum structure, new teaching methodologies, and implementation experience, while Prof. Dr. Bizena Bijo focused on the experience of the two-year programme and its role in education, training, and professional development.
The results of PEVULOS extend beyond the programme itself. For students, the project has provided more practical and field-based learning, international opportunities, and a stronger connection between theory and professional practice. For academic staff, it has introduced new teaching approaches, digital materials and resources, international exchange of expertise, and stronger academic collaboration. At the faculty level, the project has contributed to building new capacities for postgraduate education, modernizing the learning environment, and strengthening the international academic network.
The experiences of the partner institutions were also presented by Assoc. Prof. Sabina Šerić from the University of Sarajevo, Assoc. Prof. Mirza Oruc from the University of Zenica, and Dr. Adrian Cerava from the University of Korçë, with a focus on innovation in education, digitalization, mobility, internationalization, and the development of academic capacities.
Next, Assoc. Prof. Egon Andoni from UBT presented a five-year analysis of RASFF notifications concerning Albanian exports to the European Union, while Ms. Ona Murataj from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development addressed Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health in Albania’s European integration process, current challenges, and the need to strengthen capacities.
The conference also highlighted the perspective of the specialization students, with presentations by Edi Xhafa, Kleo Mema, Irena Zabuni, and Geida Rira, while Prof. Dr. Gabriele Breccia from the University of Perugia addressed the long-term sustainability of the Specialization School and opportunities for future collaboration.
The conclusion of PEVULOS thus marks not only the end of a three-year project, but also the transition from project-based activities to sustainable institutional capacities that will continue to serve students, academic staff, and the development of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
