AUT (Agricultural University Tirana) is Albania’s Life Sciences university, with a strong legacy in agricultural and veterinary education, research, and rural development. Albania is country in transition from a centralized economy to a free-market system and the strategic aim to join the EU by 2030. Considering the fact that the agriculture sector currently accounts for about 20% of Albania’s GDP (Austria this is only 3.5%), AUT’s role in shaping the future of the agricultural sector is very important for the development of the country.
In 2021, after the first BOKU visit of the Premier Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and Rector Fatbadh Sallaku with their teams, the project entitled “Implementing the AUT strategy 2030”, was developed. The financial support comes from Albanian and the Austrian government and is based on an intergovernmental agreement.
Signing ceremony with the Albanian Ministers of Education & Science and Agriculture (left front) and the Austrian Ministers of Science & Research and Agriculture (right front).
Start of the Project
In June 2024, with the signing of the cooperation contract by the two rectors at the kick-off meeting in Tirana, the AUT 2030 project was launched.
BOKU Rector Eva Schulev-Steindl (front left) and AUT Rector Fatbardh Sallaku (front right). In the background, Rector Emeritus Hubert Hasenauer, project leader of the AUT strategy 2030, and the Premier Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.
Vision of the AUT strategy 2030
The Agricultural University Tirana is among the best ranked universities within the country and has a well-equipped campus for research and teaching activities including an Experimental Didactic Farm (EDF). It also runs the only veterinary education. Given the excellent conditions the vision of AUT is:
- Balkan’s best agricultural and life science university, fully integrated into the network of European life science universities.
- Provision of high-quality inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching.
- Have a leading role in know-how and technology transfer (third mission), by providing expertise and highly qualified graduates for society, businesses, and politics in Albania.
Goals
The AUT strategy 2030 is built on four goals:
- Research Excellence: Develop competitive, EU-aligned research programs and interdisciplinary research units.
- Teaching Reform: Offer internationally comparable study programs at Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels.
- Knowledge Transfer: Strengthen AUT’s third mission through lifelong learning, startup support, and policy advise.
- Institutional Excellence: Position AUT as a Regional Centre of Excellence in agriculture, veterinary medicine, food, environment, and rural innovation.
These goals are supported by cross-cutting priorities such as digitalization, internationalization, efficient administration, and human resource development plan.